Open Space Planner

The Marin County Human Resources Department and Marin County Department of Parks and Open Space are announcing a recruitment for the position of Open Space Planner.

CURRENT VACANCY: There is one (1) full-time vacancy in the Marin County Department of Parks and Open Space. The eligible list established from this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancy and any future vacancies that may occur while the list remains active. Eligible lists remain active for a minimum of six (6) months.  For future opportunities, please indicate your interest in part-time, full-time and/or extra hire employment on your application.

The Marin County Department of Parks and Open Space manages 21 parks that range in size from mini-parks that serve local neighborhoods to large-scale regional parks that serve thousands of people with a wide variety of amenities and facilities, and 34 open space preserves comprised of nearly 20,000 acres, that offer visitors outstanding scenic vistas, redwood groves, cascading waterfalls, opportunities for wildlife viewing, and other natural amenities, as well as many miles of trails for public access and recreation.

Working under the direction of the Chief of Planning and Resources, the Open Space Planner will fulfill ongoing needs of the department in the areas of land use planning and natural resource management. In addition, the successful candidate will assist in the completion of environmental review and regulatory permit compliance processes related to a range of vegetation management, road and trail management, habitat restoration, real estate and boundary issues, and park improvement projects.

Key Projects:

• Manage consultants and contractors assigned to assist with environmental and regulatory compliance.
• Support the Encroachment Resolution Initiative by conducting site visits to identify boundary lines and prepare GIS-related maps.
• Support the Conservation Easement Initiative by coordinating the annual monitoring of conservation easements.
• Assist with the development and submittal of grant applications for open space and park projects, and coordinate tracking and reporting requirements.
• Develop signs, flyers, posters, and other outreach materials related to specific planning and resource protection projects.

 IDEAL CANDIDATE: The ideal candidate will possess experience in land use planning, and environmental review and regulatory compliance processes; collecting and downloading spatial data from a GPS device; creating, maintaining and updating a GIS database using MS Access and ArcGIS; preparing GIS related maps; interacting effectively with a range of staff and agency personnel,  including the ability to exercise independence and judgment in managing consultants and contractors; prioritizing and managing multiple projects; and communicating effectively (both orally and in writing); and proficiency with MS Word, Excel and Outlook.

In addition, the ideal candidate will possess a strong foundation or knowledge of public sector natural resources management; state and federal natural resource laws, policies, and regulations; ecological principles; and demonstrate a strong interest in the native and non-native flora and fauna of northern California.

A combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from college with a major in landscape architecture, land use planning, natural resource management, or closely related field that provides the knowledge and abilities in the class specification and one year of professional landscape architecture, land use planning or natural resource management experience. Additional graduate level courses in landscape architecture, land use planning, environmental policy, natural resource management, or closely related fields, may substitute for up to one year of the experience requirement at the rate of three semester units for one month of experience.

Depending on the number of qualified applications received, the examination process may consist of a highly qualified review, supplemental application screening, online assessment tools, written examination, oral examination, performance examination, or any combination to determine which candidates’ names will be placed on the eligible list.

      ORAL INTERVIEW EXAMINATION:  WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3 AND/OR THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2013

WORKING CONDITIONS: Some outdoor work is required in the inspection of various open space and park lands in all types of weather and terrain.