Nature of Work The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority is recruiting for a Wildfire Resilience Coordinator. The Wildfire Resilience Coordinator will manage projects related to the overall MRCA efforts regarding wildfire resilience, including tracking and analyzing existing funding sources related to wildfire preparedness and response, supporting staff project as defined by the early action wildfire resilience plan, coordinating with other MRCA and SMMC staff members working on wildfire related projects and programs, preparing and documenting further regional needs. This position requires a highly motivated, responsible, organized and self-starting individual who can handle an array of tasks at the same time as part of standard workload, has good judgment and can make decisions, and works well independently and as part of a small team. This is professional and technical work pursuant to the terms of grants, contracts, and applicable regulations, involving frequent communication with others. Project managers must also build community and political support, seek funding opportunities, actively cooperate with other government agencies and nonprofit organizations, and keep abreast of related planning processes. The work performed will support MRCA’s capital Workprogram for wildfire resilience including improvements, workforce development, ignition prevention and suppression, inspection and monitoring and structure hardening and other MRCA efforts related to public access, open space conservation, habitat restoration, and urban park development. Special projects assigned or led by the Chief of Staff will be supported by this position. Applications for this position are accepted online at https://www.calopps.org/mountains-recreation-conservation-authority/job-20586001. Please contact us at employment@mrca.ca.gov if you need an accommodation in the recruitment process. Learn more about joining the MRCA team at https://mrca.ca.gov/about/employment/. Type This is a full-time, non-exempt, at-will position. Supervision This position reports to the Deputy Chief of Staff. Assorted tasks may be supervised by Executive Staff.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.
- Implement multiple projects simultaneously: The project manager is the central point of contact on all issues concerning assigned projects and will be responsible for project quality. Perform project tracking, scheduling, and budget management.
- Coordinate between MRCA divisions to track agency-wide wildfire resilience efforts and guide the agency towards accomplishment of big picture wildfire resilience priorities.
- Perform day-to-day administration of grants, prepare required reports and ensure conformance with grant agreements. Analyze, verify and obtain payment approvals for invoices.
- Interagency coordination: Coordinate with Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy grantees to perform tracking and data management on wildfire resilience grants.
- Coordinate with Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, its grantees, and regional stakeholders to advance wildfire resilience efforts in Southern California.
- Determine project scope, options, and alternatives to overcome constraints. Revise as often as needed to address unexpected conditions.
- Demonstrate proactivity to initiate and drive projects, leveraging past experiences, consulting with colleagues, and referencing relevant documentation to successfully launch and manage projects without established precedents.
- Oversee consultants and contractors, manage contracts, coordinate project team and collaborate with coworkers to ensure that the project scope is completed according to grant agreements, schedules, and cost limits. Assist in selection of consultants/contractors.
- Write and coordinate grant proposals and research new funding opportunities for wildfire resilience and workforce development related planning efforts.
- Cooperate with other team members to accomplish project goals; provide support to coworkers on other projects.
- Produce written materials including staff reports, text for publication, proposals, progress reports, and a variety of other documents.
- Write comprehensive reports based on samples, summarizing and analyzing information to provide clear conclusions in the sample's format and style.
- Maintain positive relationships with coworkers, representatives of other government agencies, non-profit organizations, homeowner's associations, and the public at large.
- Other projects as directed by Chief of Staff.
- Perform related duties as required.
JOB SPECIFICATIONS
Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to remain in a stationary position, occasionally move about inside the office to access supplies and office machinery, frequently communicate and exchange information, review handwritten, electronic and facsimile documents, observe site conditions, and operate a computer and other office productivity machinery. Occasionally work in outdoor weather conditions and move between multiple work sites. The employee must occasionally move items weighing up to 20 pounds inside the office. Required Hours and Location Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week with some scheduling flexibility. Occasional overtime work in evenings or weekends upon prior approval by supervisor. The position will work remotely and out of the Los Angeles River Center and Gardens but may be required to travel to various other locations. Offices at the River Center are spread among multiple buildings and floors. Public Contact As public parklands, the majority of MRCA properties are open to the general public during operating hours. This position will have contact with members of the public in public areas such as parking lots and shared public/office restrooms, and during public meetings.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. Education and Experience
- B.A. or B.S. degree or higher in preferably environmental studies, education, project management, landscape architecture, or related field. Experience may substituted for academic degree.
- Two (2) years of highly relevant experience performing project management and administration duties that include: creative problem solving, working on an interdisciplinary team, coordinating consultants, technical writing, scheduling, and budgeting.
Knowledge of:
- Windows-based programs including word processing and spreadsheets, Office 365, iCompass.
- Office practices and procedures.
Ability to:
- Ability to establish and maintain cooperative relations with those contacted in the course of work.
- Work independently, or as part of a team.
- Possess excellent oral and written English language skills. Not required to be a native English speaker, but fluency in English will be required.
Competencies:
- Excellent oral and written English language skills. Not required to be a native English speaker, but fluency in English will be required.
- Excellent organizational skills.
- Establish and maintain cooperative relations with those contacted in the course of work including the general public.
- Bilingual skills in English and another locally common language, such as Spanish, Korean, Farsi, Chinese, Armenian, Yiddish, or Tagalog is highly desired.
Other Requirements Candidates must have a valid California driver’s license in good standing with a satisfactory driving record. Employees must be willing to participate in agency emergency response.
All employment offers are contingent upon the following:
- Background check including submission of fingerprints to Department of Justice, and a record clean of violent crimes or felonies.
- Successful completion of a physical examination including a drug test and TB test.
- Verification of the right to work in the United States.
COMPENSATION
Wages The range of hourly rates for a Project Analyst III is $32.09 to $39.01. Classification Level The selected candidate will be hired as a Project Analyst III.
Benefits
Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority offers a comprehensive benefits package to meet the needs of its employees and their families. Eligibility for benefits varies depending on the category of employment and how long the employee has worked. Our employees have access to several benefits, including:
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Paid Leave: Vacation, Holidays, Sick Leave
- Retirement and Deferred Compensation option
- Health/Dental Flexible Spending Account
- Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
- Life Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
MRCA offers both Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans for Medical and Dental. A Vision Plan and Life Insurance is included with all options. Eligible employees may enroll in a 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan and Flexible Spending Accounts for dependent care and health/dental care. MRCA contracts with the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) to provide a defined benefits program for eligible employees.
ABOUT MRCA
The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) was created in 1985 with a mission to protect and preserve park and open space lands surrounding Los Angeles and is a joint powers authority between the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, the Conejo Recreation and Park District and the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District. These public agencies work together to preserve open spaces, natural wilderness and wildlife habitat of the Los Angeles and Ventura County metropolitan regions and to make these lands accessible to all residents of Southern California. The MRCA is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, religion, age, medical condition, including genetic characteristics, mental or physical disability, veteran status, marital status, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender, weight, height, linguistic characteristics (such as accent and limited English proficiency, where not substantially job-related), citizenship status, or any other basis prohibited by law. The MRCA strongly encourages diverse candidates to apply for open positions.
Connect with us:
http://www.mrca.ca.gov http://www.facebook.com/LAMountains.com http://www.instagram.com/mrcaparks This job announcement is not intended to, and does not, create an employment contract of any kind and does not create any express or implied contractual obligations. Employment at MRCA is at-will without exception. The employee and MRCA may terminate employment at any time with or without advance notice and with or without cause. Any provision contained in this job announcement may be modified or revoked at any time without notice.
Benefits
Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority offers a comprehensive benefits package to meet the needs of our employees and their families. Many benefits become available to employees working at least a half-time schedule, but eligibility varies depending on the category of employment and how long the employee has worked for MRCA. New employees will be notified of available benefits at the time of hire, which may vary from what is generally described here.
Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance: MRCA offers multiple choices of insurance plans, including HMO, PPO, and low-cost options, with MRCA paying a portion of the costs for eligible employees. Plans are available to cover employee’s children and spouses. In some cases, plans may be available at no cost to the employee.
Paid Time Off (PTO): Our employees receive several kinds of paid leave.
Holidays. MRCA observes 14 paid holidays each year for eligible employees. This includes one personal holiday taken at employee’s discretion.
Vacation. Eligible employees can earn up to 96 hours per year of paid vacation leave. Vacation accruals increase after employees have worked for 3 years, and again at 10 years of service.
Sick Leave. Eligible employees can earn up to 96 hours per year of paid vacation leave. Some categories of employee may earn up to 3 days per year.
Other. Eligible MRCA employees may be entitled to paid leave for Bereavement, Jury Duty, Witness Duty, and Voting.
Retirement Plan: MRCA employees are members of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) which offers a defined retirement benefit plan. Pension payments under this program are determined by a set formula that factors in years of service, age, and final compensation. Depending on certain eligibility rules, benefits may include payments to employees’ survivors and beneficiaries and are payable for life. Learn more about CalPERS here (https://www.calpers.ca.gov/).
Deferred Compensation: MRCA employees have the option to contribute to a 457(b) plan for their retirement savings (similar to a 401(k)). Employees can contribute a portion of their wages, up to the IRS limits, into an investment account, and MRCA will contribute matching funds up to 6.2%.
Flexible Spending Accounts: MRCA offers the option of FSA accounts as a way to convert taxable pay dollars into tax-free benefit dollars that employees can use to pay certain eligible expenses. FSA contributions are deducted from the employee’s paycheck and reimbursed back to the employee depending on the program. Because the contributions are made before taxes are withheld, they are not subject to federal income tax and, in most cases, state and local income taxes. The MRCA offers two types of FSA accounts:
Health Care Spending Account: to pay for qualified health care expenses not covered by medical, dental, and vision plans.
Dependent Care Spending Account: to pay for certain eligible child and dependent care expenses.
Life Insurance: MRCA employees are provided a life insurance benefit as part of their medical/dental plans.
Employee Assistance Program: The MRCA provides all employees access to free professional counseling, including mental health services, through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The EAP provides confidential counseling to help employees address various issues that affect daily life such as stress, family or marital conflict, financial services, legal services, alcohol and drug issues, and depression.