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Are you an experienced and highly motivated Ecologist with a solid background in biology/ecology and have a passion for protecting and preserving open space?  If so, then we have an outstanding opportunity for a top-level Ecologist to join our team of resource management professionals working to protect and restore the natural environment within Midpen’s land in the Santa Cruz Mountains and the San Francisco Peninsula.  Bring your professional expertise to Midpen to support our mission! 

About the Position:  This position oversees aspects of Midpen’s vegetation management programs; advises and monitors field and office staff and contractors on vegetation management; leads a multi-department team in reviewing and setting priorities for all vegetation management activities on approximately 72,000 acres according to Midpen policy; train staff in ecologically sensitive vegetation management and safety; conducts field inspections; recommends appropriate treatment methods; monitors work; and reports on the progress of the programs to the General Manager, Board of Directors, and public.

Highly qualified candidates have knowledge and proven experience in the following areas:

• IPM principles in the management of invasive, weedy and flammable plants and pest animals in natural park environments and facilities.
• Knowledge of plant taxonomy and natural community ecology.
• Familiarity with federal, state, and local statutes and regulations related to vegetation management and plant collecting.
• Ability to identify plants (including special status plants), pests and sensitive environments with the Santa Cruz Mountains region.
• Analyzing the impacts of projects on native plant species and sensitive natural communities.
• Managing complex large-scale projects.
• Conducting botanical field surveys, or experience conducting such botanical field surveys under the direction of an experienced botanical field surveyor.
• Hiring and oversight of consultants and contractors.
• Project management.
• Report writing.
• Supervision.
• Must have, or be able to obtain within one year of hire date, a California Pest Control Advisor license, Qualified Applicator License, or Qualified Applicator Certificate.

Qualities

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Collaborative.
• Proactive problem solver.
• Possess excellent judgment.
• Self-directed.

Highly Desired

• Master’s Degree.
• Experience in the public sector.

For additional information, see the description of Midpen’s Integrated Pest Management Program, Wildland Fire Resiliency Program, and job description on Midpen’s website.

Licenses & Certifications Required:  

• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License. 
• Must have, or be able to obtain within one year of hire date, a California Pest Control Advisor license, Qualified Applicator License, or Qualified Applicator Certificate.

Work Environment:  This position is part of the Natural Resources Department at Midpen’s administrative office in Los Altos, California.  Fieldwork is seasonally dependent, project-driven, and is an integral part of this position. Therefore, in addition to working in the office, the Ecologist III will sometimes work in the field. Fieldwork will require driving in remote areas on dirt roads, working in all weather conditions, and hiking through steep terrain and wildland areas. Ideal candidates will be comfortable working in these types of field conditions, as well as in an office environment.

Following onboarding and successfully meeting job performance expectations, the Ecologist III will be eligible to work a hybrid schedule (work from home 2 days per week and in the office 3 days per week). 

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in natural resource management, ecology, biology, environmental design, or a closely related field and:

• Three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in natural resource management preferably in parks or open space, and
• At least one (1) year of supervisory and administrative responsibility.

Benefits:  Midpen provides a competitive benefits package including health, life and disability insurance, CalPERS pension and paid leaves. Detailed information is available on the Benefits page of our website.

How to Apply:  Apply online via CalOpps.org.  The deadline to apply is July 13, 2025.

The following four application items are required to be considered for the position:

1. Fully completed CalOpps employment application*

2. Resume

3. Cover letter

4. Supplemental question responses
*Incomplete CalOpps employment applications, or applications without the required application items listed here, will not be considered for the position.

Recruitment Timeline:

(Dates are subject to change.  We are unable to accommodate individual schedules).

First Interview (virtual): July 24, 2025

Written Exercise (virtual): July 28, 2025

Second Interview/Field Exercise (in person): August 1, 2025.

Midpen reserves the right to limit or deny off-duty employment or business ownership which creates a conflict of interest or an incompatibility with District employment. Additional information can be found in the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual Section 4.13 Off-Duty Employment and Business Ownership.  

Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation by contacting the Human Resources department at

650-691-1200.

Put your passion for Open Space to work!

We’re looking for a highly motivated, reliable and skilled individual to join the Public Works Department in the position of Cross Connection Control Specialist.  Working in the Utilities Section, you will oversee the City’s cross-connection control program, including backflow device testing and cross-connection control related inspections.  You will join a fast-paced, dynamic team environment, serving the City’s residents, visitors and business community by providing exceptional customer service. Review our detailed job description here.

What You'll Do:

• Conduct cross-connection surveys and tests to identify potential cross-connections to the water system. 
• Monitor the provision of backflow prevention at user connections. 
• Provide technical supervision over maintenance staff performing backflow prevention assembly installation, repair, inspection, and testing.
• Inspect potable and recycled water systems to determine the existence of cross connections and recommend corrective actions as necessary.
• Test, install, repair, and maintain backflow prevention assemblies.
• Perform plan reviews to ensure proper water system connections.   Identify potential cross-connections and provide written comments.
• Maintain records of installations, locations, tests, and repairs of backflow prevention assemblies.

The Essentials:

Cross-Connection Control Specialist

• Two years of experience in water system maintenance, equivalent to the responsibilities of a Water Utility Worker in the City of Mountain View
• Equivalent to completion of the 12th grade supplemented by approved courses of instruction in the theory, laws, regulations, and techniques of backflow prevention and/or cross-connection control.
• Possession of a valid California Class C driver’s license.
• Possession of an AWWA Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester Certificate and a California Water Resources Control Board Water Distribution Operator Grade 1 Certificate.  
• Possession of an AWWA Cross-Connection Control Specialist Certificate within one year of appointment.  

Bonus Points:

• Experience administering a water system cross-connection inspection program is highly desirable.
• Completion of a recycled water site supervisor’s training class is highly desirable.

Are We a Match? :

• You are skilled in the maintenance of water distribution systems.
• You are flexible in your work style and can manage interruptions and changing priorities throughout your day.
• You are ready to be part of a well-trained and motivated team that provides excellent service in a fast-paced environment.
• You have a desire to protect the City’s water quality, maintain public safety and are committed to ensuring safe work practices.
• You can communicate effectively with your co-workers and members of the community.
• You have the ability to work a shift beginning at 6:00 a.m.

"Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system. To apply for this position please visit

Animal Shelter Veterinarian FT/PT - Public Works | Job Details tab | Career Pages (governmentjobs.com)

Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit here to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.

About the Department

The Department of Public Works is responsible for delivering capital improvement projects for a wide variety of City facilities and infrastructure, maintaining City facilities and fleet assets, facilitating and regulating development activities, and providing animal care and services. The Department is committed to high-quality service, partnering with the community, and providing an excellent environment in which to work.

Position Duties

Salary range for this classification is $168,495.60 - $205,252.32 annually. This range includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable pay. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience.
 
The City of San Jose, Animal Care and Services Division is seeking Veterinarians to work at the Animal Care Center with part-time, and/or relief in either/or, shelter medicine and/or the shelter’s public high quality, high volume spay/neuter clinic. The Animal Shelter Veterinarian may perform all aspects of shelter medicine in a large animal shelter. Duties may include routine spay/neuter surgeries on cats, dogs, and other animals as indicated. This position provides direct care and treatment of homeless animals entering the City of San Jose’s Animal Care Center.
 
In addition, this position is required to diagnose, treat, and/or recommend euthanasia. Registered Veterinary Technicians will be assigned to assist this position with the preparation and post-surgery processes of spay/neuter and other surgical procedures. This is a position reporting to the Shelter Manager of Animal Care and Services. This classification is represented by City Association of Management Personnel (CAMP).

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

•  Directs, coordinates and performs the screening, diagnosis, and basic and emergency medical treatment of animals in the shelter.
•  Performs or supervises the visual monitoring of impounded animals, including those that may be isolated or quarantined for signs of illness or unusual behavior.
•  Performs surgical procedures, including spay/neuters and vaccinates animals to prevent diseases. 
•  Maintains accurate medical records of animals.
•  Effectively communicates the condition and status of animals with staff, public and animal groups. 
•  Advises staff on matters within the veterinary field.
•  Orders, maintains and controls the drugs used at the shelter and in the field.
• Trains appropriate staff in administering first aide and vaccinations to animals, the performance of euthanasia and other paramedical duties.
• Performs and directs staff to perform euthanasia of animals that are irremediably suffering from serious illness or severe injury, as necessary
• Ensures that shelter staff participates in a comprehensive disease prevention program for the animal shelter. 
• Participates in special spay/neuter or vaccination clinics.
• Supervises staff to include: prioritizing and assigning work; providing technical guidance to staff; ensuring staff are trained; and making hiring, termination and disciplinary recommendations.
• Ensures compliance of activities to codes and all legal regulations.

Physical Requirements:
Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 50 pounds while handling animals and equipment. Employees may be exposed to cold and hot temperatures, loud noises, odors, dust, air contaminants, blood borne pathogens while using hypodermic needles on animals and may be exposed to animal scratches and bites.

This recruitment is open until filled.

The City
The City of Santa Clara is a "full service" city – one of only a few communities in the Bay Area that has its own police, fire, library, recreation, and electric, water, and sewer utilities, as well as all of the other departments and civic amenities expected in a thriving community. Santa Clara is a family-oriented and business-friendly city, led by a city government that has developed an award-winning ethics program and a commitment to fostering public trust. Located in Santa Clara County at the southern tip of San Francisco Bay, about 45 miles south of San Francisco, Santa Clara is a strategic regional hub, with convenient access to freeways, airports, railroads, expressways, light rail, and other public transportation.  

The Position
This announcement is for two (2) positions as described below:
 
Department of Public Works
The City of Santa Clara's Department of Public Works seeks a results-oriented and innovative engineer to serve out the Department's mission to provide the highest quality public works services to the residents of Santa Clara, the development community, and our customers in a responsible and efficient manner. The Department has focus areas that include Engineering Services and Operations and Maintenance. Engineering Services is comprised of five divisions: Administration, Traffic, Design, Land and Property Development, and Field Services. Operations and Maintenance include public roadways, parkways and boulevards, City trees, street sweeping, environmental programs, storm drain systems, fleet, solid and mixed waste/recyclables, and City facilities. For more information about the Department of Public Works please visit the department website.

The Traffic Engineering Division provides traffic engineering (technical support for the design and construction of both City and private development projects), traffic impact analysis reviews for private development projects and transportation projects, bicycle and pedestrian improvement planning, grant administration, and traffic signal maintenance and operation services for the City. The division receives and investigates resident/business inquiries related to street parking, traffic calming, intersection control (i.e signals, beacons, and crosswalks), and bicycling and pedestrian travel on public streets. The investigations may involve interaction with the residents, field review, traffic data collection, and evaluation of collected information with established city policies to prepare engineering recommendations for possible improvements. The division also focuses on multi-modal planning and implementation specifically related to the goals and projects included with the City’s Bicycle Plan,  Pedestrian Masterplan, and the City’s Complete Streets policy. Finally, this division coordinates with other agencies such as the Valley Transportation Authority, County of Santa Clara Roads and Airports, Caltrans,
 and the cities of San Jose, Cupertino, and Sunnyvale related to projects, programs, and grant opportunities. Experience in customer service, traffic design and construction, transportation planning, and project management and delivery is essential to success in this position.

Under direct supervision, the Associate Engineer (Civil) performs field and office work, reviews and approves designs for traffic control, traffic improvement, and private development related public improvements, administers grants, provides technical assistance in the implementation of transportation plans and programs (i.e. Bicycle Master Plan, Pedestrian Master Plan, Complete Streets Policy), supports the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, and will work with the public and consultants on various projects and transportation related inquiries.[CM1] 

 

Water & Sewer Utilities Department
Santa Clara Water & Sewer Utilities' mission is to provide customers a dependable supply of safe, potable water, environmentally-sound wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal. Furthermore, recycled water is offered for approved uses including irrigation and industrial processes, where available. Programs and services are designed and implemented with economic and environmental benefits in mind. The City of Santa Clara's Water & Sewer Utilities Department seeks an engineer with excellent project management skills; strong oral and written communication skills; a proven record of preparing and administering consultant contracts and agreements; experience preparing construction documents; experience designing, managing, maintaining and/or operating water, recycled water and sanitary sewer utilities; experience reviewing land development projects; experience working in a team environment on major construction projects, including working collaboratively with contractors, technicians, field staff, outside agency staff, and the general public. For more information about the Water & Sewer Utilities Department, please visit the department website.

Under direct supervision, the Associate Engineer (Civil) performs high-level, fast paced engineering work relating to the permitting, design and construction of water, recycled water,  and sewer projects within the City. In addition, the Associate Engineer prepares construction documents such as improvement plans, specifications, estimates and schedules for water and sewer projects. As well as procures consultant and construction contracts for the design and construction of water and sewer projects including the preparation of requests for proposals (RFP), administration of the bidding and awarding process, preparation of Council agenda items, and administration of the consultant and construction contracts. This incumbent will review new developments and proposed public and/or commercial utilities improvement projects for compliance with City, County, State and Federal government regulations and standards. The Associate Engineer is expected to plan, organize, and prioritize a diverse workload of projects and tasks including technical and administrative tasks, and exercise independent judgment and decision making in resolving problems.

 

THIS RECRUITMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE POSITIONS IN THIS, OR OTHER DIVISIONS OR DEPARTMENTS BESIDES THE POSITIONS LISTED BELOW.  IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN EMPLOYMENT IN THIS CLASSIFICATION, YOU SHOULD APPLY TO ENSURE YOU ARE CONSIDERED FOR ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT MAY UTILIZE THE APPLICANTS FROM THIS RECRUITMENT. MEETING THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS DOES NOT GUARANTEE ADMITTANCE INTO THE EXAMINATION PROCESS.  ONLY THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WHO DEMONSTRATE THE BEST COMBINATION OF QUALIFICATIONS IN RELATION TO THE REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES OF THE POSITION WILL BE INVITED TO TEST OR INTERVIEW. 

 

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from a college or university that is accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET)
• Two (2) years of experience in civil engineering office and field work.

Possible Substitutions:
• A Master's Degree in any branch of Civil Engineering from an ABET accredited college or University may be substituted for one (1) year of experience

LICENSES & CERTIFICATION
• Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license is required at time of appointment and for duration of employment
• Possession of a State of California Engineer in Training (E.I.T.) Certificate or Registration as a Civil Engineer in the State of California is required at time of appointment and for duration of employment
• Registration as a Civil Engineer in the State of California is desirable
• Other licenses and certificates directly related to the Civil Engineering field (e.g. Geotechnical Engineer, Traffic Engineer, Structural Engineer, Land Surveyor, Qualified Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Developer (QSD), Qualified Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Practitioner (QSP))is desirable
• Current city employees appointed to Associate Engineer (Civil) prior to September 1, 2015 are waived of the required State of California Engineer in Training (E.I.T.) Certificate or Registration as a Civil Engineer in the State of California

OTHER REQUIREMENTS
• Must be able to perform all of the essential functions of the job assignment.
• May be required to work shifts, weekends, and odd and unusual hours in the performance of duties and emergency situations.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Incumbents assigned to the Field Services position are required to file a Conflict of Interest statement upon assuming office, annually, and upon leaving office, in accordance with City Manager Directive 100.

 

Candidates must attain a passing score on each phase of the examination process to qualify for the Eligible List. A department interview will be required prior to appointment.

 

Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of Santa Clara will not sponsor, represent, or sign documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.  

  

PERMANENT CITY EMPLOYEES PREFERENCE POINTS: Current permanent employee candidates who receive a passing score on the examination will have an additional five (5) points added to their final score.

 

 

Additional Information: 

You must answer all job-specific questions in order to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applications must be filled out completely (i.e. do not write “see resume or personnel file.”). To receive consideration for the screening process, candidates must submit a 1) Cover Letter and, 2) Resume. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Application packets may be submitted online through the “Apply Now” feature on the job announcement at www.santaclaraca.gov. This recruitment is open until filled.

The City of Santa Clara is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of Santa Clara is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at (408) 615-2080 or HumanResources@santaclaraca.gov.