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WA state seeks Outdoor Grants Compliance Specialist

Application Deadline: February 12, 2008

Recruitment # 0108 0000 OGMS Compliance

Salary: $4792.00 &endash; $6290.00 per month (DOQ)

Location: Recreation and Conservation Office, Olympia, WA

Closing Date: This recruitment will continue to be open until a satisfactory pool of applicants is received or the position is filled. To ensure consideration submit your materials by February 12, 2008.

The RCO is a great place to work where employees are passionate about protecting our environment and creating recreational opportunities for the citizens of Washington.

The Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) is a small state agency that supports five boards in work that creates and maintains opportunities for recreation, protects the best of the state's wild lands, and contributes to the state's efforts to recover salmon from the brink of extinction.

PRIMARY DUTIES

* Assist project sponsors with resolving conversions and other compliance issues typically associated with completed projects administered by the RCO.

* Develop conversion policies and procedures for use by RCO staff and project sponsors.

* Conduct site inspections, document findings, negotiate and mediate resolution of complex issues, and educate project sponsors about their long-term obligations for funded projects.

* Develop and implement a self-assessment program for project sponsors.

* Serve as the land acquisition and real estate expert for the RCO by assisting staff with understanding policies and procedures related to real estate transactions to ensure accurate and efficient administration of acquisition projects.

* Assist with planning and program development as it relates to compliance, conversion, and land acquisition.

* Research, review and analyze federal and state laws and regulations governing RCO administered grant programs.

* Develop and utilize various mediums to communicate with boards, stakeholders, clients, and members of the public about compliance and conversion issues.

* Deliver presentations on various topics to staff, natural resource professionals, grant applicants, and project sponsors.

QUALIFICATIONS - The most successful candidate will have:

* A Bachelor's degree in public administration, parks and recreation management, landscape architecture, fish or wildlife management, watershed planning, geography, land use planning, biology, forestry, natural resource management, environmental studies or a related field

* Professional experience in the acquisition, development, management of fish and wildlife habitat, conservation lands and resources, managing grants for the preservation of natural resources or recreation, or related. (This level of experience is typically achieved after independently performing similar work for 4 years).

* Knowledge of theory, principles, and practices of planning, development, and utilization of land and water areas for outdoor land and water-associated recreation or habitat protection; land acquisition; land values; land use; real estate issues; public recreation facilities and habitat needs; general construction practices; and potential recreation use or access to habitat conservation lands.

COMPETENCIES - We are looking for candidates that demonstrates various professional competencies including:

* Accountability: Serve as competent grants manager that appropriately balances the quality and timeliness of work. Is reliable and achieves great results with little need for oversight.

* Analysis: Rationally considers information to assess and understand issues, evaluate options, develop policies, make decisions and solve problems. Appropriately estimates the usefulness of potential recreation and habitat sites as related to proposed developments and overall state and regional needs.

* Communication - Oral and written communication skills that clearly and effectively convey information and ideas to individuals within and outside the agency. Use language that is appropriate to both the complexity of the topic and the knowledge and understanding of the audience. Keep the supervisor, management, and co-workers informed.

* Compliance: Collects information, organizes timelines, and documents subsequent assessment and resolution of project/compliance issues. Notify sponsors of established policies and initiate enforcement actions in a fair, objective, reasonable and respectful manner. Monitor and evaluate public/ political concerns that affect resolution of compliance and other issues. Effectively persuade sponsors to voluntarily accept recommendations or advice for the purpose of bringing them into compliance with the terms of their agreement.

* Customer Service - Establishes and maintains relationships with government officials, stakeholders, and clients. Consistently goes beyond basic service expectations to help customers or clients, thus providing excellent customer service.

* Diplomacy: Respond to difficult, stressful or sensitive situations in ways that reduce or minimize potential conflict and maintains good working relationships among internal and external customers.

* Research - Effectively identify, collect and organize data in a way that makes the information most useful for subsequent assessment, analysis, and decision-making. Accurately document and evaluate sources.

SPECIAL NOTE

Candidates must be willing and able to occasionally work in excess of 40 hours per week, travel frequently for short periods to include overnight stays, and conduct on-site visits. Project sites can be located in remote areas inaccessible by motor vehicle and may require one to cross difficult landscapes in inclement weather.

This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WSFE) Union. The selected candidate will be required to pay union dues or other representation fees within 30 days of employment.

The RCO may hire only those who are legally authorized to work in the United States.

APPLICATION PROCESS - To apply please submit the following materials to the e-mail or address below:

* Cover letter describing your interest and how you are qualified for this job.

* Resume with detailed employment history or a Washington State Application Form

E-mail application materials to: HR@rco.wa.gov
Subject line: 0108 0000 OGMS Compliance

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