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 30,000 acres of natural and agricultural lands in Santa Clara Valley. 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 seeks a Lead Open Space Technician to lead maintenance and stewardship projects on our preserves, while also providing technical and functional supervision to a team of assigned staff.

The Ideal Candidate

You possess a passion for conservation and land management. You are excited to step into this role, to lead project teams and guide colleagues in the land management practices employed by the Authority. With your experience working in open space land management, you are confident using your skills related to preserve maintenance. You work well independently, taking initiative and using discretion to work successfully within established protocols.

You are a natural leader who is ready to step up to the task of leading preserve teams in the delivery of the Authority’s mission. You are a solution-oriented problem solver who looks to use creativity and bring ideas for resolution to the challenges that you may experience in your work. You are an effective communicator – providing clarity for your colleagues, your supervisor, and members of the public.  This includes written communication necessary to document repair needs and recommendations for projects on Authority lands.

With a customer service mindset, you work to ensure a positive visitor experience for the 350,000 visitors to Authority preserves each year. This includes supporting the team in creating positive visitor experiences and following appropriate protocols to respond to emergencies on Authority preserves.

This position will have both opening and closing shifts with a work week that includes weekdays and weekends, exact hours will vary throughout the year, based on seasonal changes and sunset times. Weekend work is required, and this position will be required to work some holidays each year.

Please review the complete position classification here: https://bit.ly/2E3Y5Ip

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

• High school diploma or the equivalent, supplemented by college-level coursework in park maintenance, resource management, or a related field;
• Three to five years of increasingly responsible experience working in open space land management;
• Experience leading project teams or maintenance crews in the successful completion of projects and daily tasks;
• Knowledge and experience with the skills used in trades such as carpentry, plumbing, light electrical, painting;
• Ability to lift and carry materials and objects weighing up to 60 pounds;
• Possession of, or ability to obtain a valid California Driver’s license, with a satisfactory driving record;
• Possession of, or ability to obtain certificates for First Aid and CPR, First Responder, Chainsaw Operator, 4-Wheel drive and ATV Safety;
• 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 $36.75 to $44.67 hourly, 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.

Application and Selection

All application materials must be received prior to August 17, 2020, at 5:00 PM. To be considered for this opportunity, submit your application materials including cover letter and resume at the application link provided below. Resume should reflect years and months of employment. Final interviews are tentatively set for August 26, 2020.

The Open Space Authority strives to engage a workforce reflective of the community it serves. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, gender, national or ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation or physical disability. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.