Executive Director

The County of Yolo is recruiting to fill one at-will, full-time position as the Executive Director of Yolo Habitat Conservancy. This is a County position within the General Services Department within the newly constituted Parks & Conservation Planning Division. 

The Position 

Under the policy direction of the Yolo Habitat Conservancy Board of Directors (Board) and administrative direction of the County of Yolo, the Yolo Habitat Conservancy Executive Director serves as the administrator of the Yolo Habitat Conservancy, a joint powers agency responsible for implementing the Yolo Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Community Conservation Plan (Yolo HCP/NCCP). This position is responsible for overseeing the implementation of Board plans, policies, procedures and other Board decisions consistent with California and federal laws and regulations, developing the organizational budget and ensuring that all activities comply with funding source requirements and Yolo Habitat Conservancy Board approved principles and strategies. The Executive Director is the Board’s agent in ensuring efficient and effective organizational operations and administration. The Executive Director has Board delegated authority to enter contracts and authorize payment for Conservancy operations consistent with Board-approved policies and procedures. The incumbent will be responsible for supervising staff and consultants, performing technical, professional planning, program management, land acquisition, and project implementation work with a substantial degree of independence and judgment. This is a highly visible position that requires the incumbent to provide leadership, demonstrate political sensitivity, and develop and maintain positive working relationships with all those contacted during the course and scope of employment.

The ideal candidate will have previous experience conducting land acquisitions for conservation purposes, landscape-scale land conservation, habitat management and restoration, and a familiarity with regulatory permitting. Strong analytical, communication, customer service, and organizational skills, as well as the ability to thrive in a high-paced team environment are imperative for success in this position.

Minimum Qualifications 

Any combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge, skills and abilities is as follows:

Education: Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four year college or university with a degree in public or business administration, public policy, resource or environmental management, environmental studies, planning, or a closely related field; 

AND

Experience: Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in natural resource management, government and/or private industry performing work in one or more of the following areas:  watershed management, public administration, environmental policy administration, water policy administration, mining, resource management or environmental resource management.  At least two (2) years of qualifying experience must have been at the supervisory or management level.  Possession of a Masters Degree may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.

License
Positions in this classification require incumbents to possess and maintain a valid California driver’s license, Class C or higher, to carry out job related duties. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a physical or mental disability may request a reasonable accommodation. 

Knowledge of:  

• Principles and practices of governmental planning and public administration particularly in the areas of resource/habitat/environmental management, regional water resources/flood issues, and aggregate mining
• Planning laws, rules, ordinances and regulations at the County, regional, state, and federal level including the California Environmental Quality Act and the Yolo Habitat Conservation Plan/Natural Communities Conservation Plan
• Principles and practices of supervision, discipline, leadership, mentoring, and training
• Team dynamics and team building
• Standard research methodology methods and procedures 
• Program and systems management
• Word processing, spreadsheet, and geographic information system programs utilized by the County

Ability to:  

• Organize work and exercise sound judgment
• Pay close attention to detail
• Research and make recommendations for policies, procedures, and regulations
• Plan, collect, analyze, interpret and apply data to various planning and resource management projects
• Organize and manage research studies
• Prepare and present concise and well organized written and oral reports of a technical nature
• Interpret and apply Federal, State, and County laws and regulations to resource management projects
• Monitor and interpret budgets and other financial documents
• Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff
• Plan, coordinate, assign, and review the work of subordinate staff
• Investigate and resolve disciplinary issues
• Meet and deal effectively with the public and other governmental officials
• Provide assistance to various boards and commissions
• Use standard word processing, spreadsheets, data base, and presentation of graphics software
• Represent the Department as appropriate in a responsible and effective manner
• Express oneself clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Work independently
• Meet established timelines
• Establish effective work relationships with those contacted in the course of work 

Click here to view the complete classification specification for Manager of Natural Resources- Yolo Habitat Conservancy Executive Director.