Project Manager

Description:

SUMMARYThe Watershed Conservation Authority (WCA) is seeking Project Managers with a strong landscape design and planning background to lead planning, concept development, and community engagement initiatives advancing watershed management, conservation, and park projects and programs. Work requires the exercise of discretion and independent judgment. Duties include skilled written and graphic communications, managing budgets and schedules, managing grants and agreements with government agencies and others, and managing consultant contracts. Tasks require knowledge of best practices in land management, environmental planning, stakeholder engagement, and partnership coordination. The WCA is a local government agency, and the position typically includes participation in public meetings, including reporting to the WCA board as well as updating partner agencies and stakeholder groups with project status and opportunities. Multiple job classifications may be available dependent on experience, with higher classification levels requiring greater levels of responsibility. DUTIES & RESPONSIBILTIESDuties may include, but are not limited to: Natural Resource and Recreation Management
Conduct research and site assessments related to conservation, urban greening, restoration, passive recreation, and active transportation projects.
Develop project scope and work plans, allocate resources, and manage the selection of professional consultants as needed.
Develop and manage budgets and schedules to complete projects.
Develop RFPs and RFQs and manage procurement processes in accordance with agency standards and responsibilities.
Represent environmental values and service to communities in planning and design development.
Manage contracts to ensure project deliverables are provided on time and within budget.
Coordinate with a variety of stakeholders from municipalities, agencies, nonprofits, community, and citizen groups and collaborate to find common ground to forward plans and projects.
Prepare written and graphic materials with the use of graphic and mapping software platforms to advance project work and support agency partners.
Make presentations to the Watershed Conservation Governing Board and other entities such as State and County agencies, city councils, councils of government, and local communities.
Ensuring environmental policy administration in project work including compliance with regulatory authorities, the Californian Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act).
Watershed Planning
Support high-profile, complex, and politically sensitive planning projects, such as greenway and park master plans, sustainable recreation transformation plans, restoration plans, and trail plans.
Inventory and assess plan documents, leading research, reports, and spatial data.
Facilitate community engagement and participatory planning approaches for planning and project development.
Represent the Authority through participation in regional planning and policy development activities, including the participation in cooperative committees and ad hoc stakeholder groups.
Graphic and Written Communication
Apply skills with graphic design, mapping, and drafting software for materials including project descriptions, handouts, maps, and website content.
Research and maintain professional integrity in writing and references.
Develop conceptual landscape design which may include but is not limited to renderings and informed review of consultant plan documents, design work, and scaled drawings.
Develop specialized written content for plans, reports, websites, outreach, and interpretive materials.
Grant Management
Manage existing grants, including reporting, budget tracking, and grant close-out.
Research, write, and develop grants for current and new projects and programs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university involving a major study in landscape architecture, environmental planning, urban and regional planning, natural resource sciences, or a closely related field. Graduate work and/or a degree in the above fields are preferred.
Prefer between two and five years of professional experience, or more for a senior-level position, demonstrating progressive responsibility related to watershed conservation, park planning, landscape architecture, green infrastructure and nature-based solutions, park operation, or similar professional work in land planning.
Job Classification requisite on level of Experience with:
Managing and tracking multiple projects
Public engagement
Developing relationships (e.g. partner organizations, community, government)
Grant and budget management
Effective utilization of applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, graphic design software e.g. Adobe Creative Suite, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Environmental regulations, documentation, and processes (permits, CEQA, NEPA, etc.)
Must possess a valid driver’s license.