Natural Resources Specialist (Grants Coordinator)

Job Description:

Natural Resources Specialist (Grants Coordinator)

Description

Summary

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:
Deschutes County Natural Resources manages and administers a comprehensive fire and noxious weed education, preparedness and mitigation program to reduce risk to communities, real property loss, and environmental damage in Deschutes County.

ABOUT THE COUNTY:
We know where you choose to live, work and play matters. Deschutes County is one of the largest employers in Central Oregon and the largest municipal government in the region. Our dedicated and passionate workforce of more than 1,250 employees provide County services in a number of departments, divisions, and offices.

Located in the heart of Central Oregon, between the towering Cascade Mountain Range to the west and the high desert plateau to the east, Deschutes County is the outdoor recreation capital of Oregon. We enjoy a renowned quality of life, with big-city opportunities and small-town neighborhoods.

We hope you’ll consider joining our talented team.

ABOUT THE JOB:
This position provides the opportunity to contribute to a growing Natural Resources Department to reduce the risk of wildfire, control noxious weeds and help manage non-federal lands in Deschutes County. The position will manage a robust grant program and assist the Fire Adapted Communities Coordinator with Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs) and outreach material. The goal is to provide funding and services to communities that have the highest risk to wildfire and noxious weeds. The position will engage with residents by planning and carrying out successful defensible space and mitigation projects. Main duties will involve site visits to communities and other non-federal land, contract administration, treatment monitoring, grant reporting and CWPP updates. The position will have an integral part in reducing risk to fire and noxious weeds in Deschutes County.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead with all aspects of grant program management and contract administration, including regulatory requirements, budgeting, and reporting.
• Uses land maps or GIS (Geographic Information Systems) to map vegetation and resources for ecosystems, fire, fuel and other related projects, including maintaining data.
• Assist communities and agency partners throughout Deschutes County to prepare, revise and implement Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs).

What You Will Bring:
Knowledge of or experience with:

• Natural Resource Management activities, including fire/fuel reduction, wildfire safety and mitigation, noxious weed control, and ecological restoration.
• General knowledge of the theory, practices, and principles of natural resource management program.
• General knowledge of the laws, procedures, principles, and regulations governing natural resource programs.
• General knowledge of trends, ecological changes, and developments in natural resource management.

Skill in:

• Writing and administering contracts and grants.
• Interpreting and applying state and federal regulations, and County codes and policies.
• Coordinating and leading projects.
• Standard and specialized computer software applications, including GIS applications.
• Developing educational material, interpreting and communicating plans, policies, procedures, and objectives.
• Presenting and defending program reports and recommendations in public meetings.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co-workers, citizens, developers, advocates, and regional agencies.
• Facilitating discussions and meetings amongst a wide variety of stakeholders with diverse views and opinions.
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

*This posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities, but rather constitutes a general definition of the position's scope and function.

Notification to all candidates will be sent via email and/or text only. Please opt in for text messaging or check your email and your Governmentjobs.com account for application status.

Review the full job description by clicking HERE.

Compensation

$5,851.99 to $7,842.22 per month for a 172.67-hour work month. Salary normally starts at the first step. Excellent County benefit package when eligible. This union-represented position is available immediately.

BENEFITS:
Our robust health plan is offered at a minimal cost of $95 per month for employee only or $116 per month for employee plus dependents, which includes an innovative on-site clinic, pharmacy, and wellness and wellbeing services. Additionally, we include life insurance, retirement (PERS), generous paid time-off (14-18 hours/month to start, pro-rated for part-time), holidays, and professional development opportunities. Please click HERE for full benefit details.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in Natural Resources Management, Environmental Studies, Forestry, or related coursework;
• AND three (3) years of program management and training experience, including an understanding of natural resources, forestry, and community wildfire issues;
• OR any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills and knowledge to perform the job.

Preferred Qualifications :

• Bachelor's degree in Forestry, Natural Resources, or closely related field.
• Experience in grant and contract administration.
• Experience writing and implementing Community Wildfire Protections Plans.
• Experience in GIS applications.
• National Wildland Coordinating Group NWCG wildland fire qualifications.

Necessary Special Requirements

Driving is a requirement for this position. Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Oregon driver's license within 30 days of hire date. The employment offer will be contingent upon presentation of an acceptable and verifiable driver's license, pre-employment screening for criminal history, driving history, and controlled substances (NOTE: Positive test results for marijuana use may result in rescission of a contingent offer of employment). This screening must be completed with satisfactory findings in order for a formal offer of employment to be extended.

Must have dependable transportation and be able and willing to drive throughout Deschutes County in sometimes adverse weather conditions.

Excellent County benefit package when eligible.
Deschutes Countyoffers eligible employeesa comprehensive healthcare package that covers medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage at a minimal cost of $95 per month for employee only or $116 per month for employee plus dependents. Coverage becomes effective the first of the month following1month of employment. Included in the health care package is the Deschutes Onsite Clinic (DOC), which provides a wide range of health, wellness, and primary care services to employees and their dependents. The DOC offers convenient hours and no out-of-pocket costs to patients. The DOC Pharmacy is a full service pharmacy available to employees and dependents to have their prescriptions filled at a discounted co-pay. In addition to the health care package, DeschutesCounty provides a generous and comprehensive benefits program to eligible employees.

Employer paid benefit offerings include:

• Life Insurance for employee and dependents
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Long-term Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Retirement Program through Oregon PERS
• Time Management Leave

Employee paid voluntary benefit offerings include:

• 125 Flexible Spending Program
• 457 Deferred Compensation Program
• Supplemental Life and Accident Insurance

To learn more about Deschutes County's generous benefit offerings, please visit www.deschutes.org/hr and click on Employee Benefits.

Closing Date/Time: 9/22/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$5,851.99 - $7,842.22 Monthly