Posting Title: Environmental Program Coordinator
Job Requisition Number: COA090726
Position Number: 112984
Job Type: Full-Time
Division Name: Wild Land Conservation
Minimum Qualifications:
Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to Environmental Science, Life Science, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Landscape Architecture, Public Administration, Business Administration, Planning, plus six (6) years of experience in a related field.
Master’s degree may substitute for experience up to two (2) years.
Related experience may substitute for education up to four (4) years
Licenses or Certifications: None
Notes to Applicants
Position Overview:
This Environmental Program Coordinator position focuses on community engagement in support of Austin Water’s Wild Land Conservation Division.
Working closely with the larger Wild Lands team, this position helps to grow interest and goodwill for its two conservation programs – the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve and Water Quality Protection Lands – through media, collaborations with community organizations and partners, and in-person guided hikes and volunteer projects. The role involves both office and field work and a wide range of responsibilities related to communication and ecological conservation.
Working with Austin Water provides a number of benefits including medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more! Click HERE for more information.
Applicants Please Read:
This position will be located at Reicher Ranch, 3621 South FM 620, Austin, TX 78738.
This is a remote facility with no access to rideshare options for travel. Once at the site, the candidate may travel on City business regularly throughout the workday. This position may operate a variety of vehicles including but not limited to car, truck, tractor or other types of motorized vehicles. Successful candidates may be asked to show valid insurance for the operation of these vehicles. If unable to travel on City business, successful candidate may be required to walk long distances to complete tasks or job functions.
When completing the City of Austin employment application:
- Please be sure to detail on the application all previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
- A detailed, complete employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position. Be sure to provide job title and employment dates for all jobs you wish to be considered. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- A cover letter is required. In the cover letter, candidates should describe in concise detail their interest in this position and highlight any prior experience that is relevant to this position.
Work Environment:
This position will require you to collect data in the field and may include the following conditions:
- Walk long distances on uneven terrain
- Work in environments that may include hazardous conditions, walking in dense vegetation and exposure to extreme weather conditions
- Wear required PPE to include safety eyewear, footwear, head protection or hearing protection
If you are selected as a top candidate:
- Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution and proof of your professional licenses or certifications.
- If you are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.
- A criminal background investigation is required.
Travel:
If you are selected for this position and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.
Secondary Employment:
- All Austin Water employees are prohibited from accepting or engaging in any secondary employment that might conflict or interfere with an employee’s duty and responsibility to the Department.
- Austin Water must review all secondary employment.
- Employees are required to submit a Secondary Employment Application for review and approval upon being hired with Austin Water, as well as current Austin Water employees considering secondary employment.
Effective October 1, 2014, all Austin Water worksite locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any AW worksite – including construction sites, parking lot, garage or in any personal vehicle located on the premises.
Pay Range: $31.81 – $39.76
Hours Monday – Friday; 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., with rotating responsibilities on weekends and evenings 2-5 times each month.
Job Close Date: 01/25/2024
Type of Posting: External
Department: Austin Water Utility
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Grant Funded or Pooled Position: Not Applicable
Category: Professional
Location: Reicher Ranch, 3621 South FM 620, Austin, TX 78738
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working with diverse populations, organizations, and staff.
- Experience working with members of the public or volunteers in a remote or wild land setting.
- Experience creating, documenting and planning community outreach programs and previous work managing a volunteer database.
- Ecological restoration or land management experience, including operation and maintenance of tools and equipment such as hand tools, chain saws, UTVs, trucks and trailers.
- Strong writing and editing skills to support the creating and maintenance of training material, websites, social media, presentations, reports, etc.
- Experience monitoring, assessing and planning activities associated with threatened/endangered species or species of concern, managing preserves for the protection of species and management for enhancement of watershed function.
- The Program Coordinator serves on the Wild Land Conservation Division fire management team assisting with prescribed burns and wildfire response. A Wildland Firefighter Type 2 Certification or the ability to obtain certification within one year of hire is preferred. The certification test requires the completion of S130/190 training for wild land firefighting and an arduous pack test.
- Experience communicating with executives, elected officials, traditional media and the public about sensitive issues related to natural resources management.
- With or without accommodations, the ability to bend, lift, hike, carry equipment and tools over uneven terrain; and ability to work in extreme temperatures or inclement weather.
- Ability to travel to more than one work location.
Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
1.Serve as coordinator or liaison for interdepartmental and interagency issues and projects
2.Communicate project and program information to internal and external customers
3.Assist in management or resolution of interdepartmental and interagency conflicts
4.Facilitate closure of litigated cases
5.Negotiate permit and/or plan revisions with project engineers and contractors
6.Develop/establish service agreements with other programs, departments and agencies
7.Develop and manage contracts
8.Manage and review environmental remediation plans
9.Provide technical advice and assistance to City management, staff, contractors, and businesses
10.Evaluate projects, programs and criteria
11.Assist in the development and adoption of new City Code regulations, policies and procedures
12.Assist in development of new/revised interdepartmental or interagency protocol or procedures
13.Review, evaluate and recommend revisions to City Code, rules, policies and legislative bills
14.Review, evaluate and recommend revisions to technical reports, studies and contract documents
15.Review site plans, environmental site assessments and stormwater/effluent discharge proposals
16.Evaluate existing conditions, collect samples, interpret sampling data, and develop corrective action plans
17.Educate and conduct presentations to public
18.Assist in the development of short and long range plans
19.Prepare written reports, memoranda, letters, RFP/RFQ/IFBs and Standard Operation
Procedures
20.Assist in the development and monitoring of budgets
21.Attend City Council, Board, Commission Meetings, etc. as a City/Department staff representative
22.Respond to requests from the media
Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:
May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.
- Knowledge of applicable processes, techniques, and methods.
- Knowledge of city practice, policy, and procedures.
- Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
- Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
- Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
- Skill in using computers and related software applications.
- Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with city employees and the public.
- Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
- Ability to train others.
Criminal Background Investigation:This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation.
EEO/ADA
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.
The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.
Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- * The minimum qualifications for this position are graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to Environmental Science, Life Science, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Landscape Architecture, Public Administration, Business Administration, Planning, plus six (6) years of experience in a related field. Master's degree may substitute for experience up to two (2) years. Related experience may substitute for education up to four (4) years. Do you meet this requirement?
- * How many years of experience do you have coordinating community engagement programs related to natural resources? Experience should include strategic planning, implementation, and evaluation.
- No experience
- Less than 1 year
- 1 - 3 years
- 3 - 5 years
- More than 5 years
- * How many years of experience do you have developing public communication plans and messages? Experience should include developing and delivering talking points for an organization or group, social media, webinars, trainings, presentations, website content, and reports as well as responding to public inquiries and concerns.
- No experience
- Less than 1 year
- 1 - 3 years
- 3 - 5 years
- More than 5 years
- * This position instructs volunteers in CPR and First Aid. Are you willing to become an instructor for required safety courses?
- * This position contributes to land management activities in remote, wildland settings including participating in prescribed burns. Are you willing to become a certified wildland firefighter?
- * This position leads ecological restoration volunteer workdays and often prepares the site and the tools for an event. How would you rate your experience operating and maintaining tools and equipment such as hand tools, chain saws, UTVs, and trucks?
- None
- Basic
- Intermediate
- Expert
- * Do you have the ability to travel to multiple sites as part of the regular job duties?
- * Do you have the ability to work in various weather conditions and terrain (e.g. field work)?
- * This position requires a criminal background investigation (CBI). By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful CBI to be hired.
- I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Investigation.
- * Were you referred to this opportunity by an Austin Water employee? If yes, please provide the employee’s full name.
(Open Ended Question)
Required Documents
- Cover Letter
- Resume