Open Space District Technician

The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District permanently protects the diverse agricultural, natural resource, and scenic open space lands of Sonoma County for future generations. The District is responsible for stewarding land protected by conservation easements, as well as, lands held in fee.

Position Overview:

The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District is currently recruiting for one full-time permanent Open Space District (OSD) Technician. This entry-level position has the primary role of monitoring protected lands to ensure landowner compliance with conservation easements.

Responsibilities:

• Monitor properties protected by conservation easements, which includes researching property information, using maps for navigation, driving and hiking on protected lands, and gathering monitoring data (including photographs and GPS data)
• Work with staff, landowners, and volunteers to coordinate monitoring activities
• Prepare monitoring reports and supporting maps and photos, which includes basic cartography using ArcGIS and data entry using Microsoft Access
• Incorporate data, including GPS data, into GIS database
• Discuss observations of property conditions with District staff and analyze land use activities in terms of easement compliance

Qualifications:

Desirable Qualifications:

• 1 year of field work, report preparation, working with spreadsheets and/or databases, and GIS/GPS experience
• Equivalent to Associate degree or coursework in Geography, Environmental Studies, Biology, Resource Management or related fields
• Coursework or certificate in GIS

In addition, the ideal candidate will have:

• Experience in monitoring or field work that includes observation and documentation of property conditions
• Experience in preparing and reviewing detailed reports and documents
• Experience with file management and organization skills
• Experience using spreadsheets and databases
• Experience using paper maps and GPS for navigation
• Knowledge of and interest in natural and plant communities
• Familiarity with the diverse landscapes of Sonoma County
• Commitment to conservation and preservation of natural resource lands and agricultural lands
• Ability to take direction, keep projects moving forward, and work both independently and as a member of a project team
• Enthusiasm, initiative, and creativity

Minimum Qualifications:

Any combination of education and experience which provided an opportunity to acquire the listed knowledge and abilities. Typically, this would include:

• Education: Equivalent to an Associate of Arts degree with coursework in planning, geography, environmental studies, resource management, landscape architecture, economics or other related fields. Coursework or experience with Geographic Information Systems is desirable.
• Experience: Some experience in open space, parks, environmental protection, land use planning or other related field which included experience in graphics or drafting and the preparation of reports. Experience working with volunteers is 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.
• Working Conditions: work is done both in the field and in the District's administrative offices; some duties require working outdoors, traversing rough terrain on foot and by four wheel drive vehicle on unpaved roads.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge Of: the principles and techniques of graphic production; the use of various types of maps, principles and practices of land use planning, resource management, basic statistical and analytic research, and report writing.
• Working Knowledge Of: computer applications for the preparation of research, analysis and documentation; mapping techniques.
• Ability To: produce a variety of graphic work; conduct field surveys and basic statistical and other research; understand and interpret various maps, aerial photographs, planning documents, title reports, and boundary descriptions; present ideas and concepts graphically and visually; take photographs; oversee the work of volunteers; establish and maintain effective, cooperative relationships with people encountered in the course of work; perform analytical work carefully and accurately; speak and write clearly, concisely and effectively; use a personal computer, including word processing, graphics, and database applications.

This is a non-exempt position.

The employment list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future full-time, part-time and extra-help (temporary) vacancies as they occur during the active status of the list.

The employment agreement for this position is the Service Employees' International Union 1021 Memorandum of Understanding (bargaining unit #0005).

Compensation:

• $22.31 - $27.12 Hourly
• $1,790.91 - $2,177.03 Biweekly
• $3,880.30 - $4,716.89 Monthly
• $46,563.65 - $56,602.69 Annually

County of Sonoma Benefits: General*

These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:

Generous Paid Time Off:

• Vacation Leave: Generous vacation accrual based on years of County service
• Sick Leave: No limit on accumulation
• Holidays: 11 paid holidays plus 8-10 hours annual compensatory time

Comprehensive Retirement:

• Retirement Plan: 3% @60 general retirement tax deferred contributory system under the County Retirement Act of 1937. Fully integrated with Social Security. 3% @50 for most law enforcement job classes
• Deferred Compensation: 457 plan
• Retiree medical: The County provides a reimbursement program to assist in funding health benefits upon retirement.

Exceptional Health and Welfare Plans:

• Insurance: Vision and employee long term disability plan paid by the County. Dental coverage and choice of 3 health plans with generous portions of premiums paid by the County
• Group Term Life Insurance: $10,000 paid by the County
• Staff Development: For approved job-related training and educational course work.
• Tax Exempt Health/Dependent Care Reimbursement Program.

And more......

For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process, more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources.

*The benefits listed herein are intended to give job applicants a general sense of the excellent overall benefit package regular County of Sonoma employees enjoy. Benefits may vary depending on bargaining unit and the numbers of hours an employee is scheduled to work. Applicants should confirm benefits for a particular position during the hiring process. Additionally, benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice

Closing Date/Time: Fri. 09/21/12 11:59 PM Pacific Time

To Apply:

This selection procedure will consist of an application with supplemental questionnaire evaluation and interviews. Applicants should list all employers and positions held within the last 10 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 10 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 this position. Candidates possessing the most appropriate job-related qualifications will be invited to an interview.

Application submissions require the supplemental questionnaire be completed.

Background Information: A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates will be 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.

Additionally, a medical examination, including a drug screening, will be required prior to employment.

How to Apply:

Applications are accepted on-line.

Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax, 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. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The District is committed to a policy and actively pursues a program of equal employment and non-discrimination. More information can be found here.

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

Open Space District Technician Supplemental Questionnaire:

(Required)

1. Describe an instance where you conducted fieldwork and incorporated your observations into a document or report. If you do not have such experience, please state "N/A."
2. Describe a situation where you worked as a member of a project team. If you do not have such experience, please state "N/A."
3. Describe a situation where you incorporated GIS and GPS data into a GIS project or a database. If you do not have such experience, please state "N/A."
4. What is the most interesting or exciting part of a career in land conservation? Why?