Our mission is to conserve the natural environment, support agriculture and connect people to nature by protecting open spaces, natural areas, and working farms and ranches for future generations. We have protected over 25,000 acres of natural and agricultural lands in Santa Clara County. Our agency operates a network of open space lands to manage and conserve natural resources and provide compatible opportunities for hiking, biking, and equestrian uses.

We know our continued success depends on our employees and the work they do. We are committed to providing a collaborative and inclusive work environment that encourages growth and development and acknowledges individual and team achievements.

The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (Authority) seeks an experienced professional to lead development of a comprehensive Master Plan for nearly 1,000 acres of recently conserved properties in the Coyote Valley, located in southern San Jose, California.

The Master Plan will establish a comprehensive vision and phased implementation plan to maximize the benefits of Coyote Valley’s conservation lands for people and nature. It will serve to implement the Coyote Valley Landscape Linkage vision, as well as related management objectives of the Authority and its key land management partners, the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) and City of San Jose. Guiding all aspects of the future use and management of the conservation lands to restore natural floodplains and valley-floor habitats, promote wildlife connectivity, and connect people to nature within the nation’s 10th largest city, the Master Plan is an unparalleled opportunity to demonstrate nature-based solutions to promote climate resilience, quality of life, and lasting environmental sustainability.  By deeply engaging partners, stakeholders, and residents throughout the city and region, the master planning process will empower the community to have a meaningful role in shaping the future of this vital landscape.

The Ideal Candidate

The Coyote Valley Master Plan Project Manager (project manager) is responsible for all aspects of planning and design of the master plan (plan) in support of the partnership between the Authority, POST, and the City of San Jose.

The project manager guides and supports Authority and partnership staff as well as outside consultants involved in all aspects of the planning process. Working with Authority and partnership leadership, the project manager creates and manages scopes of work, budgets and project schedules and coordinates tasks among assigned staff and consultants to ensure timely, appropriate, and high-quality completion of all phases of the plan. The project manager coordinates and integrates strategic teams working on key elements of the plan including natural resources protection and restoration; community engagement; communications; fundraising; public access planning and design; agriculture; and interim planning, operations, and maintenance. The project manager facilitates regular coordination meetings between the Authority, POST, and the City to maintain clear and effective communication throughout the planning process. As the Authority’s lead team member responsible for day-to-day preparation of the plan, they will engage appropriate staff to efficiently solve problems relative to producing the plan, track and respond to strategic team needs, minimize costs for outsourcing, ensure that plan objectives are being met, and provide effective collaboration and communication among all partners.

The project manager can manage this large-scale initiative, while also overseeing multiple small to mid-size projects within the plan.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Project Management

·   Collaborates and coordinates all aspects of the master planning process, reporting directly to the Authority’s Assistant General Manager and Executive team

·   Responsible for managing the scope of work for the Authority’s planning staff and strategic teams

·   Responsible for preparing and managing overarching scopes of work, budgets, schedules and leadership on all plan projects and related initiatives

Planning and Design

·   Organizes plan including scopes of work, schedules and budgets for all phases of the planning process such as documentation of existing conditions, goal and objective setting, opportunities and constraints analysis, project alternatives development and analysis, environmental compliance, production of reports and collateral material

·   Hires, manages and directs teams of consultants and contractors including those with expertise in habitat restoration; natural and cultural resources management; floodplain or hydrologic restoration; climate-smart, wildlife friendly agriculture; design of public recreation and open space amenities; community engagement, outreach, and communications; and CEQA/NEPA compliance; among others

·   Oversees preparation of studies, assessments, plan content, drawings, and related materials

Outreach and Engagement

·   Organizes and oversees partner, stakeholder, and community engagement

·   Works directly with public and private organizations as well as community groups and individuals to solicit ideas and input into the plan

·   Maintains a database of individuals and organizations engaged in the plan throughout the planning process

Administration

·   Develops and tracks project scopes, schedules, and budgets

·   Manages or directs planning, design and strategic communications and outreach projects within the plan

·   Manages or directs compliance and permitting processes for the plan

·   Participates in Authority and partner planning and budgeting process for the plan

Financial Management

·   Writes RFPs, solicits proposals, bids projects; negotiates with consultants and administers professional service agreements

·   Working with the grants and funding development staff, develops project proposals for prospective grants and assists with grant reporting

·   Coordinates hikes, tours, and manages events for funders and stakeholders

·   Manages project budgets and tracks expenses

Collaboration and Outreach

·   Coordinates plan with Authority, POST, the City and other partners, consultants, and community representatives to prepare and implement the plan; coordinates inter-disciplinary team to solve problems throughout the planning process

·   Delivers or manages the delivery of presentations at internal and external meetings

·   Provides tours of the Coyote Valley master plan project site

·   Coordinates inter-agency and partnership communication; serves as liaison between staff from Authority, partner agencies, and consultants

This position is classified as a Senior Open Space Planner, please review the complete position classification here: https://bit.ly/2RUxUrI

The ideal candidate will possess the skills, education, and experience needed to be successful in this position. For example:

·   A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in urban or regional planning, environmental design, landscape architecture, architecture, natural resource management, or a related field, a Master’s degree is preferred

·   8-10 years’ experience with technical skills in project planning and project management

·   Experience leading complex civic projects that include the integration of multiple disciplines and extensive public involvement

·   Business and political acumen, understands financial implications of decisions; aligns work with strategic goals

·   Success in facilitating and managing teams of individuals with divergent views

·   Experience working in a park or open space setting or similar setting with strong knowledge of park and natural resources and protection measures

·   Familiarity with conservation planning concepts including how natural and working lands support climate resilience

·   Experience with compliance, specifically city and state environmental requirements

·   Judgment skills, exhibits sound and accurate judgment; can clearly explain reasoning for decisions; includes appropriate people in decision-making process; demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles

·   Strategic thinking, develops strategies to achieve organizational and plan goals; understands organization's strengths & weaknesses; identifies external issues and opportunities; adapts strategy to changing conditions

·   Ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities, with assignments sometimes coming from a number of sources

·   Ability to independently complete tasks within specified time frames

·   Ability to work cooperatively with a number of staff and external parties, sometimes under pressure, in order to complete project work and goals in a timely manner

·   Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of parties, including partner agency staff, funders, office staff, and members of the public

·   Ability to function productively as a member or leader of a work team

·   Familiarity with standard business communications; ability to write and edit correspondence

·   Strong administrative and organizational skills including attention to detail

·   Superior written and oral communications skills  

·   Competent in the use of Microsoft Office, especially including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

·   This position is required to take and pass a pre-employment background check

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range for this full-time, non-exempt position is $104,537 to $127,065 annually*, depending on experience and qualifications. To complement this salary, we offer a robust benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their dependents – we cover 100% of the cost for these premiums. We participate in CalPERS retirement programs as well as offering a separate 457 Plan for tax deferred retirement savings. A basic life insurance policy is provided to all eligible employees with the option to purchase additional personal insurance benefits. (*A cost of living adjustment of 2.9% is expected on July 1, 2020.)

Application and Selection

This position is open until filled; the first review period closes on May 26, 2020. To be considered for this opportunity, submit your required application materials including cover letter and resume at the application link provided below. Resume should reflect years and months of employment.

NO AGENCIES are needed in recruiting for this job.