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Located in the heart of San Mateo County, Millbrae is a vibrant community with a rich history and an exciting future! With its breathtaking natural beauty, thriving economy, and world-class amenities, boasting top-rated schools, a beautiful downtown, and close proximity to San Francisco and Silicon Valley, the City is truly a hub of innovation and opportunity and a gem in the Bay Area. The Environmental Program Coordinator will play a key role mitigating the City's environmental impact through conservation, resource efficiency, education, compliance, and the creation and implementation of innovative projects and programs. This is an excellent opportunity to work with a team who is focused on continuous enhancement of the cityscape in a city who sets the bar on environmental protection and public health. If you are a self-motivated individual, eager to contribute to a growing community, and love a fast-paced environment, then apply now!

DEFINITION

Under the direct supervision of the Environmental Programs Manager, assists in the coordination, implementation, and monitoring of the City’s environmental programs; provides professional and technical assistance to other city departments, residents, businesses and schools; performs related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This position is distinguished from that of Environmental Programs Manager in that the latter has overall responsibility for environmental programs and activities.  Incumbents provide a wide range of program support activities through written and verbal direction and instruction; operates programs within established policies and procedures; and exercises limited independent judgment in the course of the work.

SUPERVISION

Direct supervision is provided by the Environmental Program Manager.  Incumbents may supervise the activities of program Interns.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties and responsibilities listed below are illustrative only and is not meant to be a complete and exhaustive listing of all of the duties and responsibilities of the job.

1. Assist in the implementation of recycling and waste prevention programs for commercial businesses, residents, schools and city departments.
2. Participate in the development and implementation of program goals, objectives, policies and priorities.
3. Analyze and evaluate all local, State, and Federal laws, regulations and ordinances governing assigned programs to ensure program compliance.
4. Engage in coordination efforts with other departments, agencies, and the community to promote environmental programs; coordinate the activities of the division with those of other City departments and with county, state and federal agencies.
5. Prepare both oral and written reports for use by City officials and others; prepare a variety of correspondence including program updates, staff reports and other correspondence to businesses, residents, and city departments as appropriate.
6. Maintain detailed records and prepare and submit periodic and special reports to ensure compliance with legal mandates and program goals and objectives.
7. Prepare and monitor state and federal grant applications.
8. Assist in the development of educational program guides, marketing materials and distribution to public locations.
9. Performs outreach activities including topical demonstrations on organic gardening, composting, rainwater harvesting, native plant landscaping and other environmental workshops; assist the public and businesses with indoor and outdoor water conservation including the distribution of water saving devices and brochures. Conduct outreach on the rebate programs; assist in staffing community outreach events.
10. Provide guidance to contractors, student interns and community volunteers.
11. Coordinate assigned activities with those of other divisions and outside agencies and organizations.
12. Performs related duties as may be required in the course of the work.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A combination of experience, education, and/or training which substantially demonstrates the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

Knowledge of:

Modern principles, practices, methods, materials and techniques for implementation and monitoring a broad range of environmental programs; research methods and the sources of information pertaining environmental programs; relationships between the City, general public and other government agencies; applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations; hazardous materials management, treatment, and mitigation principles and practices; processes; chemistry, hydrogeology, and geology principles; policies and procedures impacting, affecting and/or directing  the work; terminology used in area of assignment; principles and practices of record keeping and records management; methods and techniques of data collection, research, and report preparation; modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and various software packages; organization and operation of municipal government; effective methods of communication both written and verbal including appropriate methods of  interaction with people of varying cultures and ethnicities.

Skill in:

Implementing goals, objectives and procedures; conducting studies, analyzing complex problems, evaluating alternatives and making effective recommendations; maintaining accurate records and preparing clear, concise and competent reports, correspondence and other written materials; operating a variety of modern office equipment including personal computers and associated software, copy and facsimile machines and modern phone equipment; organizing and coordinating the activities of public and private groups; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work..

Ability to:

Implement and coordinate goals, objectives and procedures; prepare comprehensive reports and information brochures with clarity and accuracy; make verbal reports and presentations at public meetings; establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials and staff, residents, business representatives and other governmental agencies; set priorities and follow-up on projects; represent the City effectively in meetings and with others; organize and coordinate the activities of public and private groups; interpret and communicate applicable City, county, state, and federal laws and regulations to others; exercise sound judgment to determine environmental program compliance with existing laws and regulations; conduct accurate and thorough research and prepare clear, complete, accurate, and concise analysis, reports, and recommendations; understand, interpret, and apply general and specific administrative and departmental policies and procedures as well as applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations; establish and maintain various data collection, record keeping, tracking, filing, and reporting systems; operate and use modern office equipment including a computer and various software packages; communicate effectively both orally and in writing to various sources including the public, City staff, or other agencies; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; perform the physical requirements of the job.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

The knowledge skills and abilities listed above may be acquired in a variety of ways.  A typical way to acquire the knowledge, skills and abilities is:

Education:  Equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, public health administration, public administration, or a related field. 

Experience: Two years experience performing environmental management functions including recycling, water conservation, of solid waste management and planning, etc.

License:  Must possess and maintain a valid California Operator’s License issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles and a satisfactory driving record or the ability to obtain transportation to travel to various work sites as required by the job.

Background:  Applicants will be screened in accordance with the provisions of California state law.

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• The employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Employee frequently is required to sit, stand, walk, use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, or crouch.
• Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception, the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• Employees generally work 75% indoors and 25% outdoors.
• The work environment indoors is usually in a temperature-controlled office; some travel is required.
• While performing the duties of this job outdoors, the employee occasionally works in varying weather conditions; visiting developed and undeveloped sites and uneven surfaces.
• Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but the employee may occasionally be exposed to high level noises including but not limited to outdoor traffic and office equipment.

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 wildlife program in the Natural Resources Department.  This position will oversee program staff and consultants to assess biological resources and natural habitats to identify sensitive resources and make management recommendations to improve and restore habitat and/or to avoid and minimize impacts as well as to address human wildlife conflict, implement wildlife and habitat management projects and provide regulatory permitting oversight.  The anticipated start date for this position is in late-August 2025.

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!  

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 Wildlife Program is comprised of four fulltime program staff, including this position, and an 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. For additional information about the position, see the Job Description on Midpen’s website.

The position is a working supervisor meaning that time is divided between program administration, oversight, and staff development while also managing and advancing District projects. Strong supervisory and project management skills are required, as well as an ability to shift seamlessly between program and personnel management. This position works not only within the Natural Resources Department but is often a liaison with other departments and external agencies to advance larger District programs and projects. Wildlife program staff currently specialize in different subject matter expertise, but cross training is provided and providing back up to one another in differing area is expected. The supervisor manages and assigns program staff to oversee and assist with different projects primarily based on their areas of expertise, but also based on available staffing. The wildlife program covers a broad range of topics including but not limited to: permit administration, wildlife conflict management, special status species monitoring and research.   

The Ideal Candidate:

• Possesses a broad breadth of understanding of wildlife management for wide ranging taxa from large megafauna to micro invertebrates

• Experience in negotiating and securing permits (ideally programmatic permits) from regulatory agencies primarily California Department of Fish and Wildlife and US Fish and Wildlife Service but may include US Army Corps of Engineers or Regional Water Quality Control Board.
• Experience overseeing sensitive status species monitoring, reporting and recovery efforts
• Supervisory experience for multiple staff and consultant biologists, strong leadership skills, and the ability to mentor and grow junior staff
• Is a creative thinker, problem solver and able to juggle competing priorities
• Strong background in project management, from developing project scopes, schedules and budgets to consultant and contract oversight
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team to deliver capital projects while avoiding and minimizing impacts to sensitive natural resources
• Assists staff in designing projects to reduce the need for mitigation, understands mitigation monitoring and reporting, and works creatively to secure mitigation when needed
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with partner agencies, environmental advocacy groups, scientists and researchers, as well as other staff, boards, volunteers, vendors and the general public
• Strong public speaking skills
• Report writing skills

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

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. A minimum of three days in the office is required per week.  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 may sometimes 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 increasingly responsible experience in natural resource management preferably in parks, open space, or related field, including at least three (3) years of experience supervising staff, consultants, or contractors. 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. 

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, June 16, 2025.  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, July 10, 2025

Written Exercise and Final Interview (in-person): Wednesday, July 23, 2025

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!