North County Projects Manager

Position Summary
The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County is looking for an experienced project manager to join our dynamic team. This is a full-time, one year, exempt (salaried) position reporting to the Land Programs Director. Working alongside a talented and dedicated team, the North County Projects Manager implements efforts to develop one or more preserves to serve the broader Santa Maria Valley area and surrounding communities. This new position will also lead and support other projects designed to scale the Land Trust’s impact in North County communities. This position may become permanent if funding is secured. This position is based in the Santa Maria Valley area with remote connection and occasional travel to the Land Trust’s main office in Santa Barbara. The North County Projects Manager is responsible for property and project feasibility support as we work to develop a new preserve in Santa Maria Valley. Tasks include new project planning, due diligence and land use planning, stakeholder engagement, steering committee(s) development and administration, communications, fundraising support, project administrative and budget management. The North County Projects Manager supervises vendors, contractors, and potentially, interns. The North County Projects Manager works with the Land Programs Director, Executive Director and members of the Land Committee to conceptualize, study, organize, and plan for new publicly accessible open space resources in a professional, expert manner. This position will represent the organization throughout the county in a variety of settings, including site visits, in community meetings, with agency and elected officials, and with supporters.

Responsibilities

• Manage assigned projects and related administrative tasks: prepare scopes, schedules, and budgets; coordinate and sometimes lead meetings, capturing task lists, and following up with members outside of meetings; monitor and approve project funding requests and expenditures and recommend adjustments as necessary.
• Oversee and support routine to complex projects, which may include elements such as: natural resource protection and stewardship; environmental hazard study; public land use code and funding policy; recreational facilities planning and development; community outreach and engagement; sitespecific, regional, long range and/or strategic planning; grazing or agricultural management.
• Conduct or direct site-based or background research on various project elements relative to land use, resource preservation, capital improvement, and other issues. Document, and compile project information to maintain a detailed project record.
• Create digital and printed materials and presentations including staff reports, project information guides, and other tools for communication with a variety of audiences and purposes including the Executive Director, Land Committee, internal Land Trust discussions, and partner and public meetings.
• Plan and conduct public outreach and engagement to solicit project input and support issue resolution, implement formation of a future stakeholder steering committee to provide project input.
• Support relationship-building with community groups and individuals around the county to learn and integrate perspectives and priorities of all communities into project development.
• Develop and solicit consultant requests for proposal for professional services; evaluate proposals and recommend award of contract; oversee work and administer contracts after award.
• Represent the Land Trust in various collaborations and working groups, public meetings, and events.
• Support fundraising requests including organizing site visits and providing written project updates for fundraising and Land Trust communications content.

Required Qualifications

• Informed passion, commitment, and sense of urgency for the mission of the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County.
• 3+ years progressive program or project supervision with an emphasis on complex projects in a collaborative setting (or comparable occupational experience).
• Demonstrated knowledge of professional project management and contract administration principles and techniques. Strong skills in project record-keeping, meeting design, and management of collaborative teams.
• Experience analyzing, interpreting, summarizing, and communicating technical and complex information
  for a non-technical audience.
• Demonstrated ability to motivate, organize, set objectives, and implement collaborative processes as well as identify and engage key stakeholder groups with diverse points of view.
• Ability to independently organize own work and oversee a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills that can be adapted to reach a wide range of individuals and used to build consensus. Ability to spend the majority of time working in the Sana Maria Valley. Willingness to travel regularly throughout the county and occasionally to work weekends and evenings.
• Ability to operate modern office equipment including technological equipment and specialized applications. Proficient with presentation software, Microsoft Office, and an ability to quickly learn new technology and software applications.
• College degree in relevant field, or commensurate experience.

Additional Favorable Traits

• Previous study or experience in one or more of the following disciplines: urban and regional planning, land use management, cultural resource management, historic preservation, environmental planning and program management, biology, geology, earth sciences, ecology, wildlife and vegetation management. Understanding of California land use, local landscape, politics, and conservation communities.
• Previous experience with projects involving historic and on-going oil production.
• Familiarity with or an aptitude for learning project management software.

Essential Requirements

• Possess valid, insurable driver’s license
• Ability to sit at a desk, type, bend, twist
• Ability to lift or move up to 15 pounds
• Ability to hike at least 5 miles over rugged terrain