APOSD Grants Coordinator

Salary $81,335.07 - $98,887.75 Annually Location Santa Rosa, CA Job Type Full-Time Department Agricultural Preservation & Open Space District (OSD) Job Number 22/06-1285-APOSDC Position Information

The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District (Ag + Open Space) permanently protects the diverse agricultural, natural resource, and scenic open space lands of Sonoma County for future generations. We are currently recruiting for a full-time Grants Coordinator, a critical team member who will coordinate the grant-making and grant-seeking activities of Ag + Open Space. This is an excellent opportunity to join a mission-driven organization with a passion for protecting lands that contribute to Sonoma County's scenic beauty, local agriculture, native habitats, and recreational lands.
In collaboration with others, the Grants Coordinator will coordinate the agency's grant-making and grant-seeking activities. Primary duties will include coordinating a competitive matching grant program offered to public agencies and non-profit organizations for projects that protect urban open space with opportunities for recreation, agricultural education, and/or restoration and enhancement of natural resources. This will include oversight of matching grant program processes, application guidelines, selection criteria, and outreach materials, and execution of grant agreements with grant recipients. In addition, the Grants Coordinator will lead agency efforts to solicit and manage grant funds from state and federal sources to support ongoing conservation activities. This position will work with staff across the organization to procure and provide grant funding to support acquisition and stewardship activities and to engage the public in the land conservation work of Ag + Open Space. Additionally, this position will prepare and present staff reports to a variety of audiences, including oversight bodies and the Ag + Open Space Board of Directors.

The ideal Grants Coordinator candidate will be a positive leader, mentor, and team player, and have excellent communication and collaboration skills when working with internal staff, external partners, and the community. They will also be a strategic problem solver with the ability to identify opportunities for improving processes and protocols to enhance organizational efficiency and effectiveness. Additionally, the ideal candidate will have a strong and integrated set of technical, organizational, and social skills; excellent project management capacity; and will have the ability to effectively serve in a critical role in support of the organizational goals and objectives of Ag + Open Space.

Other key attributes include:

• A passion for conserving natural and agricultural land for the benefit of future generations
• Experience working with public agencies and/or non-profit organizations in land conservation, land use planning, and natural resource conservation
• Experience with grant funding programs, policy, and legislation
• Experience with procurement and contracting processes
• An understanding of emerging public policy issues affecting land use and land preservation, including habitat protection, water resources and watershed management, sustainable agriculture, and climate change
• Strong work ethic, consistently delivers high-quality work products, and the ability to work independently and with others
• Effective coordination of teams to complete projects on deadlines, consistent with adopted workflow procedures
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including a commitment to precise and accurate written correspondence and reports
• A demonstrated ability to effectively implement, refine and track program goals, objectives, and processes
• Commitment to the use of best practices for data management and records retention
• An ability to build and maintain effective relationships with staff, local agencies, community groups, and the general public
• Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to exercise initiative, good judgment, and tact
• The ability to make effective and engaging presentations before boards, committees, and citizen's group

Please visit our website to learn more about Sonoma County Ag + Open Space. This position is in the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, which is a separate entity from the County of Sonoma, and not within the County of Sonoma Civil Service System. The formal title of this position is APOSD Planner.

This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. The employment agreement for this position is the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 Memorandum Of Understanding (SEIU MOU) and additional information regarding employee health and wellness benefits can be found in the Employee Benefits directory.

APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED. Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Any combination of education and work experience which would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed herein. Normally, this would include a Bachelor's degree, or equivalent, with coursework in planning, geography, environmental studies, ecology, resource management, landscape architecture, or other related fields, and three years of professional conservation planning experience in parks, resource management, land use, or another related field. Coursework or experience with GIS and GPS systems and experience with a public agency or nonprofit land trust are highly desirable.

License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Working knowledge of: agricultural, conservation, and land stewardship practices; principles and practices of project management; negotiation techniques and strategies; written and oral communication including English grammar, vocabulary, mechanics, syntax, composition; modern office administrative practices and procedures including the operation of computers, software, and standard office equipment.

Knowledge of: the principles and practices of natural resource management, land use, site, and environmental planning; pertinent federal, state and local laws and ordinances related to land use, planning, zoning, and natural resource protection; principles of research and statistics pertaining to planning, data, site planning, and architectural design principles; use of GIS, GPS, and related software and hardware to collect data, perform analyses, and prepare maps and reports; principles and practices of digitizing, data conversion, data management, and cartography; applications related to database management, report generation, and desktop publishing

Ability to: manage conservation and stewardship planning projects and initiatives; understand and interpret various title reports, maps, contracts, legal descriptions, deed restrictions, and other planning and stewardship documents; research and analyze data, and develop effective courses of action; present ideas and concepts graphically and visually; establish and maintain effective relationships with people encountered in the course of work; perform analytical work carefully and accurately; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; make presentations before a variety of audiences, including boards and citizens' groups; use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines; use GIS, GPS, and related software and hardware to collect data, perform analyses, and prepare maps and reports; use computers and software.
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying
The selection procedure will consist of an application with supplemental questionnaire evaluation and interviews. Applicants should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of the application and be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions. You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position. Each application and supplemental questionnaire will be thoroughly evaluated for satisfaction of minimum qualifications and relevance of educational coursework, training, experience, and knowledge and abilities; which relate to the position. Candidates possessing the most appropriate job-related qualifications will be invited to an interview.

APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A background investigation may be required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org. Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications including the answers to the supplemental questions as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Continuous recruitments may close without notice at any time that a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The District values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The District is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

RECRUITMENT BY

Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, with assistance from the County of Sonoma Human Resources Department.

575 Administration Drive, #116B
Santa Rosa CA 95403
Phone: (707) 565-2331
Fax: (707) 565-3770

HR Analyst: CG
Technician: KC