Environmental Conservation Program Manager

Job Description:

Environmental Conservation Program Manager

Description

Minimum Qualifications
Education and/or Equivalent Experience:

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to Environmental Science, Life Science, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Landscape Architecture, Public Administration, Business Administration, or Planning, plus six (6) years of experience in a related field, including three (3) years of experience in a lead or supervisory capacity.
• Graduation with a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for experience up to two (2) years.

Licenses or Certifications:

• As required in a related area.

Notes to Applicants
Position Overview: Austin Water’s Wildland Conservation Division protects over 48,000 acres of land for the benefit of water, wildlife, and people. The Environmental Conservation Program Manager is a key leader within the Division, helping to set daily priorities and long-term direction for a team of environmental scientists and land stewards. Using an adaptive management approach, this leader uses the best available science to guide management activities, with the goal of protecting and improving the long-term health and resilience of the landscapes and ecosystems that make Austin unique. The new Environmental Conservation Program Manager will join at a critical time, with the opportunity to chart a path forward for the Wildland Conservation Division that builds off decades of successful land management and prepares us to best tackle ongoing and emerging challenges related to urbanization, climate change, and long-term ecosystem health.

Working with Austin Water provides a number of benefits including medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more! Click HERE for more information.

Driving Requirement:

• This position requires a valid Texas Class C Driver License or the ability to acquire one by your hire date. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation ( DRE ) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months.

When completing the City of Austin employment application:

• Please be sure to detail on the application all previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
• A detailed, complete employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position. Be sure to provide job title and employment dates for all jobs you wish to be considered.
• A resume is required, but will not substitute for a complete employment application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please include contact information from previous employers.
• A cover letter is also required. In the cover letter, candidates should describe in concise detail their interest in this position and highlight any prior experience that is relevant to this position.

If you are selected as a top candidate:

• Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED , undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution and proof of your professional licenses or certifications.
• If you are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.
• A criminal background investigation is required.

Travel:

• If you are selected for this position, and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.

Secondary Employment:

• All Austin Water employees are prohibited from accepting or engaging in any secondary employment that might conflict or interfere with an employee’s duty and responsibility to the Department.
• Austin Water must review all secondary employment.
• Employees are required to submit a Secondary Employment Application for review and approval upon being hired with Austin Water, as well as current Austin Water employees considering secondary employment.

Effective October 1, 2014, all Austin Water worksite locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any AW worksite - including construction sites, parking lot, garage or in any personal vehicle located on the premises.
Pay Range
$37.14 - $47.35
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. - or other hours as required, approved, or needed for emergencies
Job Close Date 09/26/2024 Type of Posting External Department Austin Water Utility Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location 3621 FM 620 South, Austin, 78738 Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience:

• Experience managing a complex conservation or natural resource management program, including ecological restoration, land management activities, and monitoring to inform adaptive management
• Experience supervising the work of a small team, including setting clear goals and direction, addressing issues, evaluating progress, and changing direction when necessary
• Experience using imperfect information and the best available science to develop adaptive land management plans that enhance the long-term health and resilience of target landscapes and species
• Experience building a positive work culture that promotes collaboration and effective partnerships
• Ability to travel to more than one work location

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
Negotiates regulatory compliance issues with State and Federal environmental agencies. Manages and review programs/projects. Administers programs. Markets programs. Develops, monitors, and evaluates program and resource budgets. Develops, manages, and administers contracts. Develops training for internal and external customers. Develops and maintains program policies and standard operating procedures. Develops, reviews, interprets, and rewrites ordinances, codes, and regulations. Performs public relations functions. Participates in short- and long-range planning activities. Develops and manage quality control initiatives. Develops and conduct audits. Assists with evaluating bid proposals. Performs supervisory duties i.e., hiring, promoting, disciplinary actions, performance evaluations, etc.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

• Responsible for full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
• Knowledge of applicable processes, techniques, and methods.
• Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
• Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with City employees and the public.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to train others.

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.
Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* This position requires graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in a field related to Environmental Science, Life Science, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Landscape Architecture, Public Administration, Business Administration, Planning, plus six (6) years of experience in a related field, three (3) years of which was in a lead or supervisory capacity.Masters degree may substitute for experience up to two (2) years. Does your education and experience meet these qualifications?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a valid Texas Class C Driver License. Do you have a valid Texas Class C Driver license or, if selected for this position, do you the ability to acquire a valid Texas Class C Driver license by your hire date?

• Yes
• No

* The City of Austin Driver Eligibility Standards require that External New Hires meet the City’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a criminal background investigation (CBI). By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful CBI to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Investigation.

* Will you require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B visa) either now or in the future?

• Yes
• No

* How many years have you been in a lead, supervisor, or manager role?

• None or less than 3 years
• At least 3 years but less than 5 years
• At least 5 years but less than 7 years
• 7 or more years

* How many years of experience do you have managing a complex conservation or natural resource management program, including overseeing ecological restoration and land management activities?

• None or less than 3 years
• At least 3 years but less than 5 years
• At least 5 years but less than 7 years
• 7 or more years

* Please select the answer that best describes your experience developing adaptive land management plans to guide natural resource management activities.

• I have not had education, training, or experience in performing this task.
• I have had education or training in how to perform this task but have had limited practical experience performing it on the job.
• I have served as an individual contributor or member of a team working on a natural resource management planning effort. My work was overseen by a supervisor or senior employee.
• I have supervised performance of this task or am normally the person who is consulted by other workers to assist or train them in doing this task because of my expertise.

* How many years of experience do you have officially supervising the work of a team, including setting goals and direction, evaluating progress, and addressing issues?

• None or less than 3 years
• At least 3 years but less than 5 years
• At least 5 years but less than 7 years
• 7 or more years

* How many years of experience do you have building effective and collaborative partnerships with other work groups, nonprofit organizations, citizen groups, and/or volunteer organizations.

• None or less than 3 years
• At least 3 years but less than 5 years
• At least 5 years but less than 7 years
• 7 or more years

* Please describe your experience monitoring and managing budgets for projects and teams.

• I have not had education, training, or experience in performing this task.
• I have had education or training in how to perform this task but have had limited practical experience performing it on the job.
• I have completed this task on the job in a limited manner, such as for small project budgets.
• I have experience managing large or complex project budgets, budgets for an entire work group or program, or other similar budgets.

* Were you referred to this opportunity by an Austin Water employee? If yes, please provide employee’s full name.
(Open Ended Question)


Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Cover Letter Resume Optional Documents