Natural Resources Director

CLASSIFICATION:                               Natural Resources Director

                                                                    

JOB DESCRIPTION:

 

The Director of Natural Resources is a pivotal role responsible for managing environmental programs and resources, with a primary focus on preserving and safeguarding natural resources and ensuring water supply and quality. This position involves supervising staff, managing environmental programs, projects, and resources, as well as liaising with regulatory agencies and the public to enhance and maintain the natural resources under OCWD's purview.

 

Key Responsibilities:

 

1. Supervision and Management: Supervise a team of professionals, providing guidance, conducting performance evaluations, and ensuring staff training. Oversee the prioritization and assignment of work, make recommendations on hiring, terminations, and disciplinary actions. Team Leadership: Lead a dedicated team of professionals in the Natural Resources department. Provide mentorship and support for staff development and growth. Forging and maintaining relationships with other OCWD departments to facilitate ongoing compliance with permits issued by USACE, USFWS, RWQCB, and CDFW Regulatory Compliance: Ensure and track compliance with all relevant environmental natural resources regulations and permits. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of environmental laws and advocate for OCWD's interests in regulatory matters. Maintain necessary permits with wildlife agencies to conduct the required wildlife management and ecological restoration. Environmental Programs and Projects: Manage environmental programs, property, resources, and projects, including research formulation, regulatory compliance, report preparation, and presentations. Develop strategies, policies, and procedures for effective environmental management. Develop interpretive materials and/or displays, evaluate student research proposals, and educational outreach messaging. Establish environmental priorities, monitoring of legal requirements, overseeing construction activities, developing environmental plans and other related activities.  Emerging Environmental Issues: Develop programs and projects to address emerging environmental challenges. Stay updated on environmental science and related developments to inform OCWD's strategies and actions. Stakeholder Engagement: Participate in various meetings, task forces, committees, and groups related to environmental issues in support of the mission of the agency. Maintain positive working relationships with regulatory agencies and organizations, representing OCWD's interests. Negotiate project mitigation with wildlife and regulatory agencies for District projects and oversee implementation and monitoring of the required measures.  Collaborate with local, state, and federal agencies, as well as community organizations, to build partnerships and foster environmental stewardship. Ecosystem Management: Oversee OCWD’s role in the preservation and restoration of the Santa Ana River Watershed's natural habitats and ecosystems. Collaborate with environmental agencies and organizations to ensure the long-term health of the watershed's flora and fauna. Establish and execute strategies for the sustainable management of water resources within the Santa Ana River Watershed. Promote responsible water use and conservation to address current and future water challenges. Manage a watershed-wide effort to maximize natural resources including water supply Water Quality Assurance: Develop and implement programs to monitor and maintain water quality within the watershed. Implement innovative techniques and best practices to minimize pollution and protect aquatic life. Budget Administration: Assist in the development and administration of budgets for environmental programs and projects. Seek external financial support to assist with the successful execution of operational activities. Manage the department's budget efficiently, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to meet program goals. Public Relations: Communicate with the general public and Public Relations office regarding the successful recovery of endangered species and natural resources. Collaborate with habitat management efforts and groups that could impact OCWD's lands, projects, and operations.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:  

Knowledge of:

 

• Applicable Federal, state, and local codes, rules, laws, and/or regulations.
• Biology/ecology principles, wetland science.
• Principals of environmental science.
• Endangered species that drive mitigation requirements.
• Budgeting principles.
• Project management principles.
• Public relations principles.

 

 

Ability and Skills in:

 

• Speaking in public.
• Writing reports.
• Using computers and related software applications.
• Developing and administering budgets.
• Conducting research.
• Developing strategies, projects, and/or plans to achieve environmental program goals.
• Managing projects.
• Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
• Establishing, maintaining, and fostering positive working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

 

 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE GUIDELINES

 

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

 

 

 

Education/Training: Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or a related physical science field. Master’s Degree is preferred. Must have expertise in wetland ecology and function.

 

 

 

Experience: Ten years of progressively responsible related natural resource monitoring management and compliance, including project management experience; minimum 3 years of supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above. Must have demonstrated expertise in wetlands and endangered species management.

 

 

 

License: Valid California Class “C” Driver’s License.

 

 

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

 

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

 

 

 

Physical: Positions in this class typically require fingering, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motion. Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met. Incumbents may be subjected to travel. Incumbent requires sufficient physical ability to walk over uneven terrain in the outdoors under extremely variable, often harsh weather conditions; work in an office setting; stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; operate office equipment including use of a computer keyboard; push, pull, lift, and/or carry light amounts of weight; verbally communicate to exchange information.

 

 

 

Vision: See in the normal visual range, with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents; vision to distinguish colors and describe; and to operate assigned equipment.

 

 

 

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

 

 

 

SCHEDULE: 

 

9/80, with alternating Mondays or Fridays off.

 

 

 

Salary Range (DOQ): $148,850 - $186,035 per year (Exempt)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

APPLICATION PROCESS

 

To be considered for this opportunity, candidates must include a resume, references, and provide a written response to the questions listed below with their application package:

 

 

 

1. How do you stay updated on the latest trends, research, and policies related to natural resource management? Please list the various habitat resource agencies you have worked with. Please list the various types of environmental permits you have managed. Briefly explain your experience with wetlands or habitat ecology ecosystems.

 

 

 

 

Candidates given an offer of employment will be required to pass a medical examination and background check. You must submit an OCWD online employment application to be considered. Please visit www.ocwd.com to complete an application. Applications will be accepted until a sufficient number apply. EOE