Position InformationAre you a critical and strategic thinker who finds innovative solutions to challenges and opportunities? Join the Ag + Open Space District as a Stewardship Assistant!Starting salary up to $50.80/hour ($106,025/year) and a competitive total compensation package!* The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space (Ag + Open Space) District permanently protects the diverse agricultural, natural resource, and scenic open space lands of Sonoma County for future generations.
Under direction, and in collaboration with others, the Stewardship Assistant position is assigned to the Stewardship Program and is responsible for completing complex project work. Reporting to the Stewardship Supervisor, this position will process easement permitted use requests, assist on baseline documents, easement amendment requests and easement enforcement activities, and may serve as project lead on select easement stewardship projects, including easement monitoring. On occasion, duties may also include completion of resource management and infrastructure maintenance projects on Ag + Open Space-owned properties.
The successful candidate will procure professional, land maintenance, and possibly construction services, and will be expected to adhere to all regulatory requirements with respect to contract preparation and management. The successful candidate may complete data development and analysis in support of Ag + Open Space objectives, develop reports, maps, and other planning documents, perform GIS analysis and mapping, and support stakeholder meetings and input processes.
Clear and consistent communication is critical to success in this position - including communication with the public, easement landowners, property neighbors, project partners, contractors, agency staff, and occasionally oversight bodies including the Ag + Open Space Board of Directors. The ideal candidate will make presentations to a variety of audiences as needed. The position will support and train other colleagues in the agency as appropriate.
The ideal candidate will have a passion for land conservation work, will build positive relationships with others while staying focused on Ag + Open Space priorities, and will understand and be able to convey confidence and clarity regarding their role and work objectives. Urgent matters will frequently interrupt scheduled work on long-term projects, and priorities may need to be adjusted according to management direction and external factors.
The ideal candidate will be a positive leader, problem solver, and team player. They will also possess:
- E xcellent organizational and project management skills
- E xcellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to deliver a difficult message in a respectful way
- E xperience with conservation easement language, including interpretation of provisions and communication of those limitations to landowners and other parties
- K nowledge of and experience with California/Sonoma County ecosystems and land use types and experience with the management of natural and working lands to protect conservation values
- K nowledge of basic principles and practices of land conservation, real estate, and land use planning, regulations, zoning
- E xperience with technological tools and applications, including GIS, GPS, databases, and miscellaneous project management and other software programs
- E xperience working with public agencies and non-profit organizations in land use planning and/or land and natural resource conservation
- T he ability to build and maintain effective relationships with co-workers, government officials, federal, state, and local agencies, community groups, and the general public
- A bility to make presentations before boards, committees, and citizen’s group
- At tention to detail and commitment to accuracy and thoroughness in all aspects of work
Additionally, they will be:
- C ommitted to continuous improvement for organization, program, and self through the constant refinement of objectives with supervisor and colleagues
- A proactive self-starter who is well organized, a good communicator, and collaborative but also knows when to request guidance when decision-making is beyond their purview/role
- M ission-focused and works well in a “management by objective” environment
- T eam-oriented and know how to work productively with teams
- A critical and strategic thinker who finds innovative solutions to challenges and opportunities
The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District is interested in finding the best candidate for this position, and will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, abilities, experience, education, and training to meet the minimum qualifications described below. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and transferable skills and how they make you the best candidate for this position.
Please visit our website to learn more about Sonoma County Ag + Open Space. This position is in the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, which is a separate entity from the County of Sonoma, and not within the County of Sonoma Civil Service System. The formal title of this position is APOSD Assistant Planner.
This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. The employment agreement for this position is the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 Memorandum Of Understanding (SEIU MOU) and additional information regarding employee health and wellness benefits can be found in the Employee Benefits directory .
APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.Minimum QualificationsExperience and Education: Any combination of education and work experience which would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed herein. Normally, this would include a Bachelor's degree, or equivalent, with coursework in planning, geography, environmental studies, ecology, resource management, landscape architecture, or other related fields, and one year of experience in conservation planning, parks, resource management, land use, or another related field. Coursework or experience with GIS and experience with a public agency or nonprofit land trust are desirable.
License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.
Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesWorking knowledge of: agricultural, conservation, and land stewardship practices; principles and practices of project management; negotiation techniques and strategies; written and oral communication including English grammar, vocabulary, mechanics, syntax, and composition; modern office administrative practices and procedures including the operation of computers, software, and standard office equipment.
Knowledge of: the principles and practices of natural resource management, land use, site, and environmental planning; pertinent federal, state, and local laws and ordinances related to land use, planning, zoning, and natural resource protection; principles of research and statistics pertaining to the analysis of planning data; site planning and architectural design principles; use of GIS, GPS, and related software and hardware to collect data, perform analyses, and prepare maps and reports; principles and practices of digitizing, data conversion, data management, and cartography.
Ability to: learn to manage conservation and stewardship projects and initiatives; learn to understand and interpret various title reports, maps, contracts, legal descriptions, deed restrictions, and other planning and stewardship documents; research and analyze data and learn to develop effective courses of action; present ideas and concepts graphically and visually; establish and maintain effective relationships with people encountered in the course of work; perform analytical work carefully and accurately; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; use computers and software; use GIS, GPS, and related software and hardware to collect data, perform analyses, and prepare maps and reports.
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When ApplyingThe selection procedure will consist of an application with supplemental questionnaire evaluation and interviews. Applicants should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of the application and be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions. You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position. Each application and supplemental questionnaire will be thoroughly evaluated for satisfaction of minimum qualifications and relevance of educational coursework, training, experience, and knowledge and abilities that relate to the position. Candidates possessing the most appropriate job-related qualifications will be invited to an interview.
APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION A background investigation may be required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.
Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.
HOW TO APPLY Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org . Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications including the answers to the supplemental questions as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.
The District values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The District is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.
RECRUITMENT BY Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, with assistance from the County of Sonoma Human Resources Department:
575 Administration Drive, #116B
Santa Rosa CA 95403
Phone: (707) 565-2331
Fax: (707) 565-3770
HR Analyst: CA
Technician: RR
IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.
COUNTY OF SONOMA BENEFITS: GENERAL*These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:
Paid Time Off :Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.
Health Plan : Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generousCounty contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.
Retirement :Fully integrated with Social Security.For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired .
IRS 457 Plan : Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.
Retiree Medical :County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.
Student Loan Debt Relief :County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.
Plus excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.
For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331.Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources/divisions-and-units/employee-relations/labor-agreements-and-salary-resolution . For specific information about health and welfare benefits including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts go to https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources or, contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonoma-county.org or (707) 565-2900.
*IMPORTANT NOTES: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.
Closing Date/Time: 9/10/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
