Project Coordinator (Forest Health & Wildfire Resilience)

Please see the full job announcement at https://humboldtrcd.org/about/employment-opportunities/.

BACKGROUND:

The Humboldt County Resource jobshiringnearme.org District (HCRCD) is hiring a Project Coordinator to support the planning and implementation of landscape‐scale projects as part of the HCRCD’s Forest Health & Wildfire Resilience Program. The Project Coordinator will work closely with HCRCD personnel agency; tribal, and nonprofit partners; and public and private forest landowners to implement forest health and wildfire prevention projects and programs. Applicants with demonstrated experience coordinating and managing forest health, prescribed fire, fire prevention and mitigation, or restoration projects, including grant management and overseeing subcontractors, are highly encouraged to apply.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Performs day‐to‐day project management of projects, including partner and landowner coordination activities, subcontractor oversight, contract / grant agreement management (deliverable tracking, progress reporting, invoicing and budget monitoring), and other activities as needed.
• Provides technical assistance (TA) to forestland landowners or managers and develops conservation or other management plans. Conducts natural resource assessments and inventories.
• Work with the NRCS conservation and planning staff as needed for project planning, field assessments and inventory, and project development and implementation.
• Assists in developing landscape‐scale and collaborative natural resource conservation planning projects. Builds partnerships, identifies treatment prescriptions, develops environmental compliance documents, and writes grants applications.
• Prepares technical reports, plans, and environmental compliance documents.
• Organizes and facilitates meetings outreach workshops, and/or provides presentations with/for partner organizations, community groups, or other organizations.
• Represents the HCRCD in a variety of settings and meetings to build partnerships and to support the mission and programs of the agency.
• Maintains regular communication with the Program Manager and other staff regarding status of programs and projects. Works proactively resolve issues that may arise related to HCRCD programs, projects, or consultants.
• Facilitates cross‐program learning and collaboration among HCRCD staff, including attending staff meetings and other periodic cross‐program learning and team building opportunities.
• Generates content for social media sites or newsletters, updates the website and Contractor list, and generally support other outreach or administrative tasks for the organization.
• Understands, interprets, applies and explains technical guidance documents, rules, regulations, policies and procedures, as needed.
• Establish and maintain complete project files including correspondence, reports, data, etc. to comply with HCRCD systems and program audit requirements.
• Exercises good judgment and maintain confidentiality in all communications.
• Attends trainings or other meetings as required or directed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The qualification requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Eligibility Criteria: 

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Possess a Bachelor’s degree in forestry, ecology, fire sciences, or related field.
• Three or more years professional experience; advanced education beyond a Bachelor’s degree may be considered as additional work experience.
• Knowledge of and technical expertise in:
  • principles and methods of forest ecology or management with additional knowledge of soils, geology and hydrology, wildlife and fisheries, and other natural resources.
  • techniques and equipment to conduct resource inventories;
  • local working landscapes and associated natural resources (e.g. soils, plants, carbon, air, water, fish, forestry, wildlife); and
• Demonstrated proficiency with ArcGIS; GPS systems; Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and familiarity and experience with a variety of office machines and equipment including computer and printer, calculator, fax, copier and other equipment as assigned.
• Experience and familiarity with field monitoring protocols.
• Excellent communication skills including speaking, listening, and writing. Ability to understand and follow oral and written directions.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain cooperative, respectful, and effective working relationships with a variety of people with diverse interests and temperaments.
• Highly organized and motivated self-starter with the ability to prioritize and work independently as well as part of a team.
• Physically able to work in the field (hiking across forest lands, lifting, carrying supplies and equipment, planting, etcetera) during all seasons.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and maintain confidentiality in all communications.
• Ability to drive off‐road vehicles.
• Ability to pass a federal background check.
• Valid California driver’s license, clean driving record, and current auto insurance.

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience coordinating and managing forestry, prescribed fire, fire prevention and mitigation, or restoration projects, including assisting or leading grant management and overseeing subcontractors.
• Exposure to or experience with working on large-scale planning and stakeholder engagement projects.
• Certified firefighter qualifications.
• Familiarity with CEQA; California Forest Practice Rules; and local, state, and federal permits required for forestry, prescribed fire, and restoration projects.
• Familiarity with Northern California, including natural and human geography and challenges facing the region.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The primary work environment for this position is indoors. The main HCRCD office is located in Eureka with a satellite office in McKinleyville. The Project Coordinator may work out of either or both offices, depending on staffing and project requirements. The Project Coordinator also works in a variety of field locations and private properties throughout Humboldt County and in other offices and locations as needed such as the local Eureka NRCS Field Office. The work environment experienced by this position may include: working in a shared office space; working outdoors in inclement weather and on terrain of all types, including adverse terrain; traversing field sites by foot or in an ATV or UTVs; traveling alone or with others in a 4 x 4 vehicle between project sites or meetings; and working in a shared office space. The noise level in the offices are usually moderate but sometimes very loud. The Project Coordinator may work with or near mechanical parts, equipment, construction tools, and machinery. The Project Coordinator may work in direct proximity to un-restrained livestock and around electrified fencing. This position will have limited exposure to high precarious places, toxic or caustic chemicals, vibration, and risk of electrical shock.  The noise level in the environment at times may be moderate.

Limited evening and weekend work may be required. A valid driver’s license and proof of insurance is required as well as the use of private vehicle for work. After successful completion of required trainings and other administrative requirements, this position will have access to HCRCD vehicle(s) or an NRCS vehicle, in coordination with NRCS Eureka Field Office staff. A valid driver’s license is required. The Project Coordinator may anticipate occasional use of a personally owned vehicle for work travel; approved job‐related mileage is reimbursed at the Federal rate. A work laptop and cell phone will be provided.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those this position encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the Project Coordinator is required to regularly talk, hear, and see. The Project Coordinator must be able to type on a computer, write legibly, and use a phone. On a daily basis, the Project Coordinator is required to sit, stand, walk, operate a computer and other office equipment, walk on flat or uneven ground or through mud, climb, balance, stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, and lift a maximum of 40 pounds and maneuver around forest, farm, and construction sites. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WAGES, HOURS AND COMMENCEMENT OF WORK:

Final compensation will be commensurate with applicable experience, between $28 – $34.03/hour to start ($58,240 – $70,791 annually). This is an at-will, full-time position and expected to be up to 40 hours/week with some flexibility possible in the work schedule. Benefits package includes health plan and generous PTO and Sick Leave. Position is subject to a 3‐month introductory period.

The HCRCD is an equal opportunity employer.