Program Coordinator
1845 - PROGRAM COORDINATOR (INVASIVE SPECIES PROGRAM)
Position Description
This position, with rotating days, evening, and weekend shifts, is in the Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation Department.
OPEN UNTIL FILLED
Salary $50,897.60 Annually
Salary Grade: 51
Pima County is seeking a highly motivated and innovative conservation professional to coordinate the Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation (NRPR) Invasive Species program. This work will build on—and amplify—decades of previous work by NRPR staff and volunteers. The successful candidate will be expected to grow the invasive species program through completion and implementation of the invasive species strategic plan, development and implementation of data tools and associated standard operating procedures, managing contractors and volunteer groups, obtaining grant funding, and engaging with partners to advance the objectives of the program and the biological goal of the Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan.
This position is primarily field-oriented. The successful candidate must be able to withstand the rigors of off-trail travel often in extreme temperatures while carrying a heavy backpack and tools in steep and rocky desert terrain containing venomous animals. Fieldwork will include spraying and hand pulling of invasive species and also involve collection of geospatial information. Office work will include processing data for quality control, data management, report writing, volunteer coordination, presentations to a wide range of stakeholders, coordination with external partners, and other duties as assigned. The successful candidate must work one to two weekend days per month and be willing to spray chemicals to combat invasive species.
The position will be specifically located within the Restoration Section of the Natural Resources Division within NRPR. Invasive species control may involve both treatment and prevention strategies, and control may span from smaller-scale restoration projects to large-scale long-term, multi-stakeholder projects. The Invasive Species Program Coordinator may also be involved in other projects within the focus of the Restoration Section as needed, such as inspections of County open-space properties and conservation easements to identify and document threats and ecological conditions, assisting with native species revegetation projects, assisting with other field data collection efforts, and other office work as needed. The Invasive Species Program Coordinator will work closely with the Restoration Section Program Manager to prioritize invasive species removal and monitoring efforts. Invasive species control will also be coordinated with the Parks Section and/or Rangeland Section of the NR Division, where use of grazing animals may be considered as a biological control strategy.
The selected candidate will also be required to complete Van Safety Training within 60 days from hiring date, with flexibility depending on open seats available in upcoming offered trainings. Be specific in describing your experience in your application. Ensure the descriptions provided illustrate your competencies, specifically addressing the required and preferred qualifications.
Please direct questions about the position to Kelsey Landreville: kelsey.Landreville@pima.gov
Please note: For new hires (and promoted employees hired) the applicant must have a full set of COVID-19 vaccines, by the effective date of hire. If you are unable to become fully vaccinated due to a medical disability or religious observance/practice, you must request an accommodation – accommodation forms are located online.
Duties/Responsibilities
(Work assignments may vary depending on the department's needs and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the supervisor.)
- Plans, organizes, coordinates and administers the activities of a specialized program within Pima County;
- Assists the Program Manager or department director in developing and establishing program goals and objectives;
- Evaluates program effectiveness and measures/reports on program success;
- Supervises, trains and evaluates staff, determines work assignments and priorities and participates in personnel selection;
- Monitors program-specific legislation and ensures program compliance with applicable regulations;
- Performs public relations activities as a program representative, makes program-related presentations to the general public, prepares and presents news releases and other media materials and participates in the development of community awareness programs;
- Coordinates the development of training and informational materials to promote public understanding of program activities, services and requirements;
- Establishes and maintains liaison relationships and coordinates program activities with other departments, public and private agencies, organizations and groups;
- Conducts meetings to resolve problems, address issues, discuss program goals and objectives and disseminate information;
- Monitors grants, program contracts and/or contractor performance;
- Participates in the development of the program budget and supervises the monitoring and administration of program funds;
- Conducts program-related studies and prepares written reports and recommendations;
- Prepares routine and special program status reports for federal, state and county agencies;
- Analyzes data and prepares program activity reports and statistical materials for management review;
- May access or maintain specialized databases containing program-specific information to record activity or generate reports;
- May write and submit grant applications and prepare/review proposals.
KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:
Knowledge of:
- principles and techniques of public relations and media resources;
- community agencies, organizations and resources;
- principles and practices of effective supervision and program administration;
- federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations;
- principles and practices of grant administration;
- budgeting and fiscal accountability;
- data and statistical analysis techniques and application to planning studies and projects;
- principles and techniques of effective communication to include written composition and public speaking;
- applications of automated information systems.
Some positions within this classification require knowledge of program-specific terminology, principles, practices and procedures.
Skill in:
- planning, organizing and coordinating program activities;
- communicating effectively;
- establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with governmental agencies, community and special interest groups;
- supervising, training and evaluating personnel;
- identifying needs and developing and implementing programs to meet those needs;
- preparing budgets and monitoring funds;
- data analysis and report preparation;
- use of automated information systems to maintain or produce data.
Minimum Qualifications
(1) A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in natural resource management, restoration ecology, environmental science, conservation biology, wildlife biology, botany, geographic information systems, geography or closely related field and three years of experience coordinating, monitoring, and/or administering program activities or providing professional level administrative support for a program or specialized work unit (See Special Notice section for additional requirements). (Relevant professional level experience and/or education from an accredited college or university may be substituted.)
OR
(2) Four years of experience with Pima County in a professional administrative classification.
Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see resume" on your application.
Preferred Qualifications: (Be specific in describing your experience in your application. Ensure the descriptions provided illustrate your competencies, specifically addressing the required and preferred qualifications.):
- Graduate degree (MA, MS, or Ph.D.) in natural resource management, restoration ecology, environmental science, conservation biology, wildlife biology, botany, or closely related field.
- At least one (1) year experience performing fieldwork in extreme heat and rugged/remote terrain.
- At least one (1) year experience in the Desert Southwest (US/Mexico) conducting fieldwork with plants, animals, and/or hydrology, preferably in the Sonoran Desert region including experience with invasive species.
- At least one (1) year experience on one or more restoration projects including vegetation treatments, invasive species control, erosion control, and/or wildlife habitat improvements.
- Experience and familiarity with data management principles, practices, and programs as well as experience in storing, manipulating, and analyzing geospatial data.
- Experience communicating projects within an organization and to the general public.
- Experience with written communications such as reports and publications.
- At least one (1) year experience managing projects.