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Salary: 116697.00 - 145768.00 Annually

Job Category: Resource Management

Location: South Bay

Job Type: Full-Time

Close Date: 10/06/2024

* Prequalification Questionnaire Required

Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen) has an excellent career opportunity for an experienced and motivated Field Resource Specialist who will plan, organize, manage, oversee, and participate in the implementation of vegetation management, fuel reduction, and natural resource protection and restoration projects on Midpen lands. The Field Resource Specialist participates in long-term and short-term project planning, grant application and administration, coordinates assigned activities with other Midpen departments and outside agencies. This position will supervise staff and will direct consultants, contractors, and volunteers to assist in completing this work. Supervisory and administrative tasks will include budgeting, project management, setting priorities, and providing guidance to multi-disciplinary teams. The ideal candidate is organized, detail-oriented, and collaborative with excellent oral and written communication skills, understands ecological systems, and can implement land management practices accordingly.

About Midpen: Midpen helps plants, animals and people thrive throughout the greater Santa Cruz Mountains region by preserving a greenbelt of more than 70,000 acres of public open space with 250 miles of trails in 27 extraordinary preserves, permanently protected for natural resource conservation and ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education. Midpen is a public agency with a focused mission that guides our work, and where every employee makes an impact. If you are looking for an outstanding opportunity to contribute to the legacy of open space protection, natural resource restoration and outdoor recreation, working with an incredible team of like-minded colleagues, we invite you to apply for this position! Check out the Working for Midpen video on our Employment Opportunities page.

Midpen has one vacancy for the position of Field Resource Specialist. The start date for this position is December 2024.

Field Resource Specialist will report to the Foothills Field Office (FFO) in the Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve in Cupertino, CA, to the Foothills Area Manager.

About the Position: The Field Resource Specialist is an exempt/salaried position, which is responsible for administering the principles and practices of public land management including: open space or undeveloped park maintenance, resource management including resource protection, managing budgets, prioritizing work tasks, and responding to public; stakeholder agencies; and other department inquiries. The Field Resource Specialist directs the day-to-day implementation of fuel reduction and vegetation management goals of Midpen’s Wildland Fire Resiliency Program. The Field Resource Specialist will support Midpen’s utilization of contractors and act as a point of contact for a wide variety of vegetation maintenance and management tasks. The successful performance of this work will require a working knowledge of a broad range of resource management trades and technical principles, as well as a professional background and the ability to coordinate work with other Midpen departments. Candidates with background in fire risk prevention activities and vegetation management trades are desirable. For additional information about the Field Resource Specialist position, see the Job Description page on our website.

A Few Reasons Why You May Love This Job

Collaborative work that directly supports Midpen’s mission to protect and restore the natural environment
You’ll be part of a talented and dynamic team whose work contributes to providing nature’s benefits to everyone
Excellent employee benefits, including medical, dental, vision, tuition reimbursement, and a retirement pension through California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS)
‘Joint Resource Workdays’ allow all district staff to get involved and work together on a variety of maintenance, resource management, habitat restoration and capital improvement projects.

Work Environment: This position is part of the Land and Facilities Services Department assigned to a field office and will work primarily in the Foothill office in Rancho San Antonio Preserve, Cupertino, and will visit Midpen field sites. When conducting field assignments, work may include traversing rough, difficult terrain in inclement or hot weather with exposure to poison oak. Ideal candidates will be comfortable working in these types of conditions, as well as in an office environment. Positions in this classification must possess the ability to lift and carry materials and objects weighing up to 60 pounds and must possess the ability to push and pull objects weighing up to 100 pounds, with the use of proper equipment. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. Following onboarding and successfully meeting job performance expectations, may be eligible for the flexible work program which includes 9/80 schedules. Current work schedule is Monday to Friday, 7am to 4:30pm, recurring 9/80 Monday day off.

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. Information can be found in the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual Section 4.13 Off-Duty Employment and Business Ownership.

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 environmental design, forestry, ecology, natural resource management, park administration or a related field, and three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in project management preferably in parks, open space, or a related field including one (1) year of supervisory responsibility.

Licenses & Certifications Required:

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Professional Rescuer Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification within six (6) months of employment.

Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid First Responder or equivalent certification within six (6) months of employment.
Possession of, or ability to obtain, the level of certification in the Incident Command System courses as specified under the National Incident Management System (NIMS) within 12 months of employment.

Possession of, or ability to obtain, a District approved Fire Suppression Training certification within 12 months of employment.
Depending on assignment, possession of, or ability to obtain, a California Qualified Applicators Certificate with Landscape Maintenance (Category B) for pesticide application within twelve (12) months of employment.
Possession of a valid California Class A or B Driver License and required endorsements is desirable.

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 at CalOpps.org.

(To avoid missing email communication regarding your status in this recruitment, add mpropenspace@calopps.org to your contacts or list of safe senders).

Application deadline is Sunday, October 6, 2024. Applicants with the most relevant experience and qualifications suitable for the position will be contacted for an interview.

The following application items are required to be considered*:

1. Fully completed CalOpps employment application

2. Cover letter

3. Resume

4. Supplemental question responses

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

Interview Schedule (we are unable to accommodate individual schedules):

First interview (virtual): Thursday, October 24, 2024

Written Exercise (virtual): Monday, October 28, 2024

Final interview (in-person): Tuesday, November 5, 2024

A note to applicants who currently live outside of the San Francisco Bay Area: before committing to the application process, and if you haven’t done so already, we suggest evaluating the feasibility of relocation. We recommend researching the cost of living in the San Francisco Bay Area, the cost to relocate, and typical commute times to Los Altos from outlying areas.

At Midpen, we believe open space is for all. Our public lands are shared spaces provided for the community by the community. All people, regardless of background, deserve respect, dignity, safety, and a sense of belonging. Midpen welcomes all people to enjoy the public open space preserves we hold in trust, supporting the mental, physical, and social well-being of our region.

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 or via email at hr@openspace.org.

Put your passion for Open Space to work!

Salary: 131877.00 - 164708.00 Annually

Job Category: Resource Management

Location: South Bay

Job Type: Full-Time

Close Date: Continuous

* Prequalification Questionnaire Required

Do you have a passion for the outdoors, trails, and preserving open space? Are you a motivated and experienced resource management professional? If so, Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen) has an excellent opportunity for a skilled Senior Resource Management Specialist to lead the earth sciences program in the Natural Resources Department. This interdisciplinary position will oversee program staff to assess and protect archaeological and cultural resources, as well as oversee programs to protect and restore water and geological resources, Midpen’s Climate Program and projects ranging from contaminated site cleanup to erosion control projects on Midpen preserves in Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz Counties. The start date for this position is in November 2024.

About Midpen: Midpen helps plants, animals and people thrive throughout the greater Santa Cruz Mountains region by preserving a greenbelt of more than 70,000 acres of public open space with 250 miles of trails in 27 extraordinary preserves, permanently protected for natural resource conservation and ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education. Midpen is a public agency with a focused mission that guides our work, and where every employee makes an impact. If you are looking for an outstanding opportunity to contribute to the legacy of open space protection, natural resource restoration and outdoor recreation, working with an incredible team of like-minded colleagues, we invite you to apply for this position! Check out the Working for Midpen video on our Employment Opportunities page.

About the Position: The incumbent will be a part of a cohesive team of 15 in the Natural Resources Department, which is part of the Visitor and Field Services service line. The Earth Sciences Program is comprised of 4 fulltime program staff, including this position, and a shared intern. Midpen aims to recruit and retain employees who embody professionalism, accountability, and respect, and who value working in an environment focused on inclusivity, diversity, and equity.

This is a supervisory position for the Earth Sciences Program, comprised of water resources, soil conservation, archaeological resources, Native American relations, and climate program. Program staff and/or consultants generally provide subject matter expertise; this position is not expected to have expertise in all areas. This position will supervise, coordinate, advise, and assist program staff and consultants in implementing the Earth Sciences Program to support Midpen natural and cultural resource management, planning efforts, stewardship and maintenance work, and capital projects.

Typical program work includes identification monitoring and protection of aquatic habitats; inventory, monitoring, and curation of archaeological resources, including coordination and engagement with indigenous peoples; overseeing contractors and consultants, environmental impact analysis, and coordination and administration of permits from resource agencies. Administrative tasks include budget preparation, project management, setting priorities, providing guidance to multi-disciplinary teams, partnering with outside entities, managing and mentoring staff.

A Few Reasons Why You May Love This Job

Collaborative work that directly supports Midpen’s mission to protect and restore the natural environment and contributes to providing nature’s benefits to everyone
You’ll be part of a talented and dynamic team of bright, energetic, and motivated professionals with a passion for the outdoors, trails, watersheds and preserving open space
Excellent employee benefits, including medical, dental, vision, tuition reimbursement, and a retirement pension through California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS)

Work Environment: This position will report to Midpen’s Administrative Office in Los Altos, CA. Midpen offers a hybrid office/telecommute work schedule for this position following successful onboarding. In addition to working in an office setting to complete project tasks and at various venues across the San Francisco Peninsula to present information at public meetings, the Senior Resource Management Specialist will often work in the field and hike steep terrain and wildland areas with poison oak and wildlife.

Field Work: Fieldwork is integral to this position and dependent on the season and current projects. Fieldwork will require driving District vehicles 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.

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. Information can be found in the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual Section 4.13 Off-Duty Employment and Business Ownership.

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 environmental design, natural resource management, ecology, biology, or a related field, and five (5) years of supervisory or management level experience in natural resource management preferably in parks, open space, or related field, including at least one (1) year of supervisory and administrative responsibility. A Master’s Degree is desirable. Professional work experience with parks and open space is highly desired.

Licenses & Certifications Required: Possession of a valid California Driver’s License.

Benefits: Midpen provides an excellent benefits package including health, life & disability insurance as well as CalPERS pension. Please see the Benefits page on Midpen’s website for details.

How to Apply: apply online at CalOpps.org.

(To avoid missing email communication regarding your status in this recruitment, add mpropenspace@calopps.org to your contacts or list of safe senders)

First Application Review is Monday, September 16, 2024. Applicants with the most relevant experience and qualifications suitable for the position will be contacted for an interview.