Type: Full-time, On-site
Location: Nevada City, CA
Salary: $99,975.60 - $122,049.60 Annually
Deadline: 10/14/2024 5pm Pacific Time
This is an innovative opportunity to for a qualified Registered Professional Forester (RPF) to join our team!
The Office of Emergency Services (OES) is currently handling a grants' portfolio nearing $70 million including large scale impact mitigation projects that are directly tied to protecting life and property throughout Nevada County. Having resources to lead these projects, expeditiously complete environmental analysis/reporting, and have these resources accessible to partners and the public is a high priority.
Primary position functions:
Design, implement and administer wildland fire prevention goals and objectives
Design and implement strategic community and landscape-level projects that create heathier forest ecosystems and reduce wildfire risk
Interpret local, state, and federal laws, regulations and policies
Conduct and oversee environmental analysis of projects and obtain all necessary permits required
Complete categorical exemptions, internal studies, rights of entry, etc.
Assist with departments grant program including writing, project management, and administration
Community and stakeholder engagement and education
Create and monitor contracts and agreements
Conduct field inspections and site tours
The RPF is an important position for supporting OES in achieving grant-funded mitigation goals across Nevada County. This position is designed for college graduates who are experienced in report writing and project management. In addition to a Bachelor’s degree in forestry, public administration, engineering, environmental and/or climate studies, physical and/or biological sciences, natural resource management, fire science or related field from an accredited college or university, the ideal candidate will also be licensed as a Registered Professional Forester by the California State Board of Forestry with two or more years of experience facilitating and/or managing planning, fire, emergency preparedness, forestry, environmental, engineering or closely related projects and/or programs. Managerial and supervisorial experience is highly desirable.
Why Nevada County? Our leadership values employee development and engagement, promotes open and transparent communication, sets us up to be a high-performing organization, and recognizes our contributions! Our leadership connects with the community, listens to them, and provides important programming to keep us safe and balanced.
The position is fully-benefited. The County of Nevada offers an extensive benefit package which is valued at 50% of your pay (meaning, consider the value of your benefits as half again what your pay is). The compensation package includes:
CalPERS retirement plan, a defined benefit plan,
Medical—several choices of HMO and PPO plans
Dental—a “best in the business” dental plan which offers a generous per-year maximum
Vision—includes annual eye exams and a generous annual frame allowance
Life Insurance—equal to $50,000 with an option to purchase additional, supplementary life insurance at group rates
Flexible Spending Account—set aside, on a pre-tax basis, up to the IRS maximum for eligible health related expenses
Nevada County is also a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program through the Department of Education We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our organization.
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
The Forest Management Advisor is expected to coordinate program activities with other divisions, departments and/or agencies including, but not limited to, fuels mitigation, green waste, defensible space, forestry and environmental analysis, and public education and outreach; and to provide highly responsible analytical and technical support to the Director of Emergency Services and/or their designee. The class may perform some of the less difficult duties, but much of the time will be devoted to the more complex, unusual and consequential projects, programs, issues and problems. Incumbents serve as a resource to other office staff.
Examples of Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
Assists Director of Emergency Services and/or their designee in the formulation of projects, and program goals and objectives.
Develops and gives presentations for a variety of audiences such as Firewise Communities, neighborhood associations, local businesses, landowners, and community organizations about local government projects, programs, forestry and environmental regulations, and wildfire safety.
Designs and implements strategic community and landscape-level projects.
Conducts and oversees environmental analysis of projects and obtains necessary permits required for implementation, including CEQA and NEPA compliance. This includes the preparation and completion of related documents and required environmental reports, including Notices of Exemption, Environmental Impact Reports, Negative Declarations, Environmental Assessments, Biological Assessments, Categorial Exemptions, Rights-of-Entry Agreements, Initial Studies, etc.
Grant and project management and administration.
Develops and leads capacity building efforts to support the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP), community member, and stakeholder efforts.
Prepares, negotiates, reviews, monitors, and manages contracts and agreements.
Stays abreast of existing and new regulations related to ensure projects and programs remain in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and guidelines.
Conducts field inspections at project sites to ensure project consistency, regulatory compliance, and the successful implementation of projects.
Works closely with stakeholders and vendors as needed in collaboration and alignment of projects and programs.
Plans, develops, and supervises the work of subordinate staff.
Participates in budget preparation and administration; prepares cost estimates for budget recommendations; monitors and controls expenditures to the Director of Emergency Services and/or their designee.
Participates in the selection of staff and coordinates staff training.
May supervise and direct the work of support staff
Answers questions, received feedback and provides information to the public; AND
Performs related duties as assigned.
Knowledge and Skills Required
Knowledge of:
Principles and practices of local, state, and federal laws, California Forest Practice Act, CEQA, NEPA, and other environmental and forestry regulations.
Technical report writing.
Modern office methods, practices, procedures, equipment, and technology.
Local government and public presentation techniques.
Principles and practices of budget development, implementation, and monitoring.
Principles and practices of supervision, training, and coaching.
Principles and practices of work safety.
Principles and practices of project and grant management.
Principles and practices of quality customer service.
Fire behavior modeling and data analysis.
Landowner programs including CFIP and EQIP.
Basic principles of high-performance organization leadership.
Basic principles of continuous process improvement.
Ability to:
Organize, implement, and direct wildfire mitigation and preparedness projects and programs.
Develop and execute request for proposals and qualifications (bids) and contracts.
Work independently and as a part of a team, in both office and outdoor settings.
Demonstrate initiative to identify projects, tasks or other activities that will further the departments, counties, and community’s goals.
On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports, and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and problem solve operational and technical policy and procedures.
Utilize a variety of technological software solutions to support efficiency, commination, and overall quality project management.
Plan, coordinate, and perform field inspections and site visits.
Plan, coordinate, and execute community Town Halls.
Utilize appropriate safety procedures and practices for assigned duties.
Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Relate effectively with people of varied academic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds using tact, diplomacy, and courtesy.
Establish and maintain effective, cooperative, and collaborative working relationships with others.
Education and Experience Required
Bachelor’s degree in forestry, public administration, engineering, environmental and/or climate studies, physical and/or biological sciences, natural resource management, fire science or related field from an accredited college or university.
Two or more years of experience facilitating and/or managing planning, fire, emergency preparedness, forestry, environmental, engineering or closely related projects and/or programs. Managerial and supervisorial experience is highly desirable.
Licenses and Certificates
Valid California Driver's License within 30 days of hire.
Licensed as a Registered Professional Forester by the California State Board of Forestry.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions
Mobility and dexterity sufficient for climbing, balancing, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, driving, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and performing repetitive motions. Ability to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
Willingness and ability to work in exposure to inclement weather and temperature extremes; and be subjected to moving mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, fumes, dusts, gases, poor ventilation, chemicals, inadequate lighting, workspace restrictions, intense noises and travel.
Willingness to work nights and weekends during periods of emergent conditions such as wildfire or extreme weather.
Some accommodation may be made for some physical demands for otherwise qualified individuals who require and request such accommodations.
Other Requirements
This class description lists the major duties and requirements of the job and is not all-inclusive. Not all duties are necessarily performed by each incumbent. Incumbents may be expected to perform job-related duties other than those contained in this document and may be required to have specific job-related knowledge and skills.
Some positions must submit to and pass a criminal background investigation. Must maintain security clearance according to Criminal Justice Information Systems staffing security requirements. Applicants with felony convictions or arrests may be found ineligible for this position.
