Open Lands Manager

Job Description:

Open Lands Manager

Description

Definition

This is a full-time opportunity with many benefits! As a Missoula County employee, you will be part of a team that is committed to positively impacting the community. The pay range for this position is $37.90 - $44.60 per hour, DOE.

The Lands, Culture and Recreation (LCR) Department is seeking an OPEN LANDS MANAGER to join their team. This position performs professional leadership, staff supervision, coordination and direction for the administration and management of the County’s Open Lands and Natural Resources Division in the Lands, Culture and Recreation (LCR) Department.

Details: We are accepting completed application submissions until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 17, 2025. It is in your best interest to apply by this date.
To Apply:

• Please complete all sections of the online application, even if a resume is requested.
• Please include with a complete application the following attachments: A letter of interest, and a resume.
• Please answer the SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTION(S).
• Incomplete applications will be disqualified.
• Complete job description available upon request to the Department of Human Resources.

Representative Examples of Work

Directs and supervises work and staff of the division to develop and implement work plan and integrate work elements and activities in concert with other LCR managers and multi-departmental supervisors, including developing new countywide programs to implement plans, initiatives and priorities. Oversees the administration and allocation process for Missoula County Open Space Bonds to support open lands priorities. Conducts research and analysis to evaluate proposed projects and their impacts on conservation resources. Coordinates with lead staff at the City of Missoula’s Open Space Program on proposed projects, Open Space Bond accounting, and implementation of City-County Interlocal Agreements related to County Open Space Bonds. Handles funding requests, tracks City and County expenditures and number of acres protected, and coordinates review by the Open Lands Citizen Advisory Committee (OLC), staff, and the Board of County Commissioners. Represents the County as a subject matter expert on open lands and natural resource issues of importance to Missoula County by researching, analyzing, reviewing and coordinating interdisciplinary comment on planning efforts, proposed legislation and actions by state or federal agencies. Coordinates with other County Departments and external agencies/partners to develop land and natural resource management policy, strategies and actions. This coordination can include developing programs for vegetation management and restoration priorities; identifying funding opportunities to support efforts; and improving collaboration towards meeting County natural resource, climate and sustainability objectives. Serves as primary County representative and provides support to the OLC. Assists in the preparation of agendas, attends meetings and reviews minutes, informs development of the work plan, provides technical advice, and arranges for outside presenters. Represents the County and provides professional staff support on significant city and county community projects and issues to the public, advisory boards, community groups, businesses, non-profits, and government agencies including city, state, federal and tribal governments. Negotiates contracts, agreements and project proposals on behalf of the County with outside groups and organizations, contractors and other service providers. Monitors contractor work for compliance. Implements strategies and leads all phases of County open lands projects as guided by adopted plans. Project types include but are not limited to negotiating easements and fee title acquisitions; contracting for open space capital improvement projects; and utilizing other established or emerging open lands strategies. Fosters and builds relationships with partners, such as not-for-profit organizations, governmental agencies, and businesses, and seeks opportunities to affect program efficacy on behalf of the County. Creates partnerships to review, approve and implement complex projects of substantial financial investment to the County and partners. Develops, monitors and reviews annual program work plan and operating budget, which includes developing newly funded programs and modifying programs to align with countywide goals. Develops, implements, and evaluates program policies and procedures to increase effectiveness and makes recommendations to department heads and elected officials for policy changes. Administers expanded and complex county funding for community grants and land management projects with US Forest Service, FWP, DNRC, non-profit organizations, and others. Ensures public funds are used appropriately, efficiently and effectively. Works to fund open lands strategies and projects by developing additional funding mechanisms including grant writing and grant management.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree. Degrees best suited to this position include natural resource or conservation management, environmental studies, parks and recreation administration, and public administration. Master’s degree is preferred.
• Requires a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience with land, open space, or park management.
• A master’s degree in the best-suited degrees described above may be substituted for up to two years of experience.

Physical/Environmental Demands

The work requires the ability to walk over rough, uneven terrain and to travel to remote work sites and meeting locations during all seasons. Occasional field work will be required, in addition to working in an office setting. May require occasional light lifting (up to 20 lbs). The work schedule may require attendance at night or weekend meetings; may require occasional out of town travel.

Located halfway between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks and home to the University of Montana, Missoula is an academic center situated in an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Depending on the season, you can hike, ski, fish, float rivers, ride mountain bikes, or just sit back and marvel at the surrounding scenery. Join us in scenic, sophisticated, and service-oriented Missoula!
Missoula County covers over 2,618 square miles of mountain lands varying in topography and climate from temperate river valleys to snow-capped peaks. Five large valleys and two major rivers wind through this mountainous region.
Missoula County is large and diverse, featuring everything from the spectacular scenery of Clark Fork River running through town to lush ranches and a growing economy of small business. Skiers, outdoor enthusiasts, wildlife watchers, mothers and fathers, business owners, vacationers, fisherman, retirees, students, and many others have grown to love Missoula County's boundless opportunities.

This summary outlines the benefit programs; actual benefits may vary depending on bargaining unit and employment status.

Missoula County will reward your contributions to our community with competitive compensation and generous benefits, including but not limited to:

Excellent Medical Health Benefits– Group health benefits, including dental and vision coverage, are available to eligible County employees. The medical health benefits premium is covered for full-time employees. The County contribution is pro-rated on hours paid for part-time employees. The employee pays the premium portion for dependent coverage. Family health benefits coverage is $258.00 per pay period.

Medical deductible is $500 for an individual and $1,000 for a family.

Flexible Benefits Plan– Pre-tax out-of-pocket medical expenses and day care expenses.

Voluntary Life Insurance Coverage, Long and Short-Term Disability, Critical and Accident Insuranceare offered through Mutual ofOmaha.

Public Employees Retirement System– Montana public employees of the state, university system, local governments and certain employees of school districts are covered by the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). New members to the PERS have an opportunity to choose between two retirement plan options: the Defined Benefit Plan or the Defined Contribution Plan.

Sheriffs' Retirement System (SRS)– A public pension plan for all Montana Sheriffs hired after July 1, 1974 and Detention Officers hired after July 1, 2005.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness- Working for Missoula County may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness. Look here to learn more and understand whether you may be eligible.

Supplemental Retirement Benefitsare offered through Valic or Nationwide.

Sick Leave– Full-time employees accrue 7.38hours per month and are eligible to use sick leave once you have been an employee for 90 days.The accrual is pro-rated for part-time employees.

Vacation Leave– Full-time employees accrue 9.24 hours per month and are eligible to use leave after continuous employment for a period of 6 full months. The accrual is pro-rated for part-time employees.

Holidays– The County observes eleven legal holidays in even numbered years and ten legal holidays in odd numbered years.

Paid Parental Leave (PPL)-In recognition of the importance of bonding and care of a newborn child or a child placed for adoption, Missoula County 6 continuous weeks of PPL to eligible full-time employees that have been with the county for 180 days. The hours are pro-rated for part-time employees.

Tuition Assistance- Because we value the professional and personal development of our employees, Missoula County is proud to offer reimbursement of certain education expenses.

Closing Date/Time: 1/17/2025 5:00 PM Mountain

Salary:

$37.90 - $44.60 Hourly