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Natural Resources Special Projects Manager

Are you a visionary leader with a passion for the environment and experience developing policies and programs that support watershed planning, salmon recovery, conservation land management and forestry management in a changing climate? The City of Bellingham is seeking a Special Projects Manager in the award-winning Public Works Natural Resources division. Join our talented and growing team!

This position develops, manages and coordinates the implementation of environmental policies and programs in the areas of watershed planning; regional salmon recovery; water quality and quantity issues including modeling; water rights; conservation land management including forestry management planning and restoration; invasive species management; climate adaptation planning including vulnerability assessments for the Lake Whatcom watershed; and other programs as assigned. Develops policies and frameworks for emerging natural resources issues. Manages programs, prepares budgets, maintains regulatory compliance and supervises assigned staff. Facilitates, collaborates and coordinates with staff from all City Departments, outside agencies, tribes, and other governmental entities to accomplish the goals and mission of the Public Works Department and Natural Resources Division.

SALARY AND BENEFITS INFORMATION:

The current full salary range for this position is $8,265/month - $10,013/month.

Research has demonstrated that salary negotiation can further inequality due to bias across gender and race. To prevent negotiation bias, the City places new employees within the published salary range based on qualifications and professional experience as listed on the application material, in accordance with City policy. This is in line with the City's commitment to accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Candidates who exceed the minimum experience requirements shall be given credit for advanced step placement at the rate of one additional pay step for each two full years of directly related or equivalent professional experience beyond the minimum requirements. Candidates who meet minimum qualifications or have experience that is not directly related or in a lower-level position will be placed at step one in the salary range. For positions that require a bachelor’s degree, one additional step may be granted for applicants with a master’s degree in a related field when the master’s degree is not required to meet minimum qualifications. The City's HR Department regularly evaluates minimum qualifications to provide equitable employment opportunities.

For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures.

This position is represented by a union. Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the Teamsters (Supervisory and Professional Unit) Collective Bargaining Agreement and City policy.

City of Bellingham employees receive medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as life insurance and long-term disability. Additional benefits include flexible spending accounts, a medical insurance opt-out program, and access to our employee assistance program. All eligible City employees are enrolled in a Washington State Department of Retirement Systems pension plan. Additionally, employees may elect to participate in the City’s 457 deferred compensation retirement savings plan.

Employees will receive 12 paid holidays in addition to one paid floating holiday each year. At the time of hire, employees will accrue 8 hours of sick leave and 10 hours of vacation per month. Vacation accruals increase based on years of service. Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employees to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.

For additional information regarding benefits and compensation Information please visit the following:

Closing Date/Time: Fri. 11/1/24 4:30 PM Pacific Time

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB:

Develops policy initiatives and planning documents that provide the basis for environmental regulations and administrative rules.
Oversees all phases of assigned environmental policies and programs including, but not limited to, regional watershed planning, salmon recovery, climate adaptation including vulnerability assessments for the Lake Whatcom watershed, water quality and modeling for both water quality and quantity; water rights; conservation land management including recreation impacts, forestry management planning and restoration, and other programs as assigned. Develops, plans, organizes, and coordinates between departments, other governmental entities, stakeholders and the public; oversees implementation to ensure program and policy goals are met. Establishes current and long-range (5-10 years) overall work programs and staffing needs.
Negotiates contracts for services between the City and outside entities, or consultants including interlocal agreements, as assigned. Follows established consultant selection processes and oversees compliance with contract terms.
Coordinates Program activities and goals with other work groups within the Public Works Department and other City departments, outside agencies, tribes and other governmental entities. Collaborates with other managers throughout the City in goal and policy development to assure consistency and integration with other department goals and activities. Collaborates in the development of educational programs needed to achieve policy goals. Provides education and technical assistance to City staff about environmental regulations and compliance.
Prepares and manages annual budget for assigned projects and programs based on staffing and resource requirements, cost estimates, division objectives, and departmental goals for review and approval by the Assistant Director of Public Works. Monitors and maintains expenditures within approved budget and uses resources and technology effectively to increase productivity.
Supervises assigned staff, including setting work priorities, planning, organizing, assigning, advising, and assisting. Evaluates the work of assigned staff and participates in the selection of new employees, hiring, discipline and other personnel actions. Provides training and motivation for staff in order to make full use of individual capabilities to meet changing demands.
Represents the City of Bellingham in regional watershed, land use, and planning processes, as assigned.
Represents the City of Bellingham on various committees, advisory boards and workgroups dealing with environmental policies and programs. Organizes and facilitates meetings of assigned citizen advisory groups related to natural resource management.

ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED:

Serves as a member of the Public Works managements team. In the absence of the Assistant Director of Public Works – Natural Resources may act in responsible charge of the Natural Resources Division upon request.
Works on special projects as assigned.
Tracks and reports on relevant environmental legislation at the state and federal levels.
Performs other related work of a similar nature and level.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed both indoors at a computer workstation and outdoors in all types of weather. Exposure to outdoor weather conditions is frequent. Attendance at meetings may require working evening hours. This position requires light to medium activity with moderate physical exertion requirements.

Physical ability to perform the essential functions of the job, including:

Frequently operate a computer and other office machinery such as a keyboard, mouse, phone, and fax machine;
Frequently communicate accurate information and ideas with others;
Occasionally sit or stand for long periods of time;
Frequently move inside and outside of the office and travel between worksites including outdoor locations;
Occasionally walk up to five miles on uneven terrain during inclement weather;
Occasionally lift objects weighing up to twenty-five (25) pounds.

Experience and Training

B.A or B.S. in Environmental Science, Natural Resources Management, Watershed Planning, Forestry Management or related field.
Four (4) years’ experience in natural resources management, project management, and public policy issues.
Three (3) years’ supervisory experience. OR
An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to provide the applicant with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the essential functions of the job will be considered.

Necessary Special Requirements

Valid Washington State driver’s license and good driving record. Must submit a three-year driving abstract prior to hire.
Employment contingent upon passing a criminal convictions check and child and vulnerable adult abuse records check (see Fair Hiring Practices below).

Selection Process

As part of the application process, a cover letter is required.
Within the cover letter, provide responses to the following information that is requested:

Provide a brief summary of your education, experience and qualifications for this position.
Please indicate why you are interested in this position, and what sets you apart from other candidates for this position.

Please ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and required supplemental questions). Provide as much detail as you believe will fully describe your experience and training.

Interviews for the most qualified candidates are tentatively scheduled for November 20, 2024. Invitations to participate in the Interview process will be sent via e-mail on or around November 13, 2024.

Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently, including your spam folders for messages filtered by your email providers.

Equal Opportunity:
Our environment is characterized by respect for cultural backgrounds, belief systems, and ethnic diversity. The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its work force. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.

Fair Hiring Practices

The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.
The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.
The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.
The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.