Environmental Program Coordinator (Austin Parks and Recreation)

Purpose:

The Environmental Program Coordinator serves as a central point of contact for the Austin Community Garden Program, providing leadership in recruiting and establishing new gardens as well as oversight and troubleshooting for existing gardens. The Environmental Program Coordinator serves as the point person for communications and programming and works in close conjunction with internal and external stakeholder agencies.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Serves as coordinator or liaison for interdepartmental and interagency issues and projects
• Communicates project and program information to internal and external customers
• Assists in management or resolution of interdepartmental and interagency conflicts
• Facilitates closure of litigated cases
• Negotiates permit and/or plan revisions with project engineers and contractors Develops/establishes service agreements with other programs, departments and agencies
• Develops and manages contracts
• Manages and reviews environmental remediation plans
• Provides technical advice and assistance to City management, staff, contractors, and businesses
• Evaluates projects, programs and criteria
• Assists in the development and adoption of new City Code regulations, policies and procedures
• Assists in development of new/revised interdepartmental or interagency protocol or procedures
• Reviews, evaluates and recommends revisions to City Code, rules, policies and legislative bills
• Reviews, evaluates and recommends revisions to technical reports, studies and contract documents
• Reviews site plans, environmental site assessments and stormwater/effluent discharge proposals
• Evaluates existing conditions, collects samples, interprets sampling data, and develops corrective action plans
• Educates and conducts presentations to public
• Assists in the development of short and long range plans
• Prepares written reports, memoranda, letters, RFP/RFQ/IFBs and Standard Operation Procedures
• Assists in the development and monitoring of budgets
• Attends City Council, Board, Commission Meetings, etc. as a City/Department staff representative
• Responds to requests from the media

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

 Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of applicable processes, techniques, and methods.
• Knowledge of city practice, policy, and procedures.
• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
• Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with city employees and the public.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to train others. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to Environmental Science, Life Science, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Landscape Architecture, Public Administration, Business Administration, Planning, plus six (6) years of experience in a related field.
• Master's degree may substitute for experience up to two (2) years.
• Related experience may substitute for education up to four (4) years

Licenses and Certifications Required:

 None.

Preferred Qualifications:

Preferred Experience:

• Experience with community gardening including current issues and best practices.
• Experience working with diverse populations, groups, and staff.
• Experience working with volunteer groups and coordinating volunteer projects in parks.
• Experience in program coordination involving multidisciplinary stakeholders, including executives, elected officials, traditional media, and the public about sensitive issues related to natural resources management.
• Experience building partnerships, including non-profit management and public and private partnerships.
• Experience navigating City of Austin permitting processes.

Preferred Knowledge/Skills:

• Experience with project management.
• Experience in public presentations and public speaking.
• Experience in meeting facilitation and professional development.
• Experience with communication skills, including community engagement, dispute resolution and conflict mediation.
• Ability to fluently communicate (reading, writing, speaking) in English and Spanish. 

Other:

• Ability to travel to more than one work location.