The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space (Ag Open Space) District permanently protects the diverse agricultural, natural resource, and scenic open space lands of Sonoma County for future generations. Under supervision, and in collaboration with others, the Stewardship Technician position is assigned to the Stewardship Program and is responsible for completing project work. Reporting to the Stewardship Supervisor, this position will monitor conservation easements and assist in managing “fee lands” owned by Ag Open Space.
Easement monitoring involves researching property files and documents, arranging site visits with landowners, visiting protected lands and documenting property conditions and land use via photographs and Geographic Positioning Systems (GPS) or iPad, and preparing detailed monitoring reports documenting site observations and communications with landowners. Fee land management may involve monitoring Ag Open Space-owned properties and working with contractors to manage resources or maintain property infrastructure.
 
In this role, you will:

• Work extensively with property records in digital files and hard files
• Use ESRI ArcGIS for property mapping, use iPads with ESRI software for collecting photographic and geographic data
• Use Microsoft Access for data entry and reporting
• Communicate information about land uses and property conditions with the landowners, property neighbors, project partners, contractors, agency staff, and occasionally oversight bodies including the Ag Open Space Board of Directors
• Work closely with the Stewardship Supervisor and senior Stewardship staff in preparing for site visits and completing monitoring reports and follow-up
• Support other colleagues in the agency as appropriate

The ideal candidate will have passion for land conservation work, be a positive leader, problem solver, and team player. They will be committed to continuous improvement and possess:

• Excellent organizational and project management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to deliver a difficult message in a respectful way
• The ability to read, understand, and work with conservation easement language, with guidance from the Stewardship Supervisor or other senior staff and legal counsel
• Knowledge of and experience with California/Sonoma County ecosystems and land use types and experience managing natural and working lands to protect conservation values
• Knowledge of basic principles and practices of land conservation, property documentation, and report preparation
• Experience with technological tools and applications, including GIS, GPS, databases, and miscellaneous project management and other software programs
• Attention to detail and commitment to accuracy and thoroughness in all aspects of work
• Experience working with public agencies and/or non-profit organizations in land use planning and/or land and natural resource conservation 
• The ability to build and maintain effective relationships with co-workers, government officials, federal, state, and local agencies, community groups, and the general public
• The ability to assist with presenting information to boards, committees, and citizen’s groups

Please visit our website to learn more about Sonoma County Ag Open Space. This position is in the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, which is a separate entity from the County of Sonoma, and not within the County of Sonoma Civil Service System. The formal title of this position is APOSD Technician. 
This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. The employment agreement for this position is the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 Memorandum Of Understanding (SEIU MOU)and additional information regarding employee health and wellness benefits can be found in the Employee Benefits directory.

Education and Experience: Any combination of education and work experience that would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed herein. Normally, this would include an Associate's degree, or equivalent, with coursework in planning, geography, GIS, environmental studies, natural resource management, landscape architecture, or other related fields, and some experience in open space, parks, environmental protection, land use planning, or other related fields that included experience in drafting and the preparation of reports. Coursework or experience with GIS and experience working with volunteers are highly desirable.
License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.

Working knowledge of: natural resource management and field data collection for the preparation of reports research, analysis, and maps assessing and documenting property conditions; use of GIS, GPS, and related software and hardware to collect data, to perform analyses, and to prepare maps and reports; written and oral communication including English grammar, vocabulary, mechanics, syntax, and composition, and principles of effective report writing.
Knowledge of: principles and practices of land conservation, and land and/or natural resource planning as well as basic statistical and analytic research; principles and practices of digitizing, data conversion, data management, and cartography; the principles and techniques of graphic production.
Ability to: conduct field surveys and basic statistical and other research; understand and interpret various maps, aerial photographs, planning documents, title reports, and boundary descriptions; present ideas and concepts graphically and visually; take photographs; coordinate and review the work of volunteers; establish and maintain effective relationships with those encountered in the course of work; perform analytical work carefully and accurately; speak and write clearly, concisely, and effectively; use GIS, GPS, and related software and hardware to collect data, to perform analyses, and to prepare maps and reports; use a personal computer, including word processing, graphics, and database applications.

The selection procedure will consist of an application with supplemental questionnaire evaluation and interviews. Applicants should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of the application and be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions. You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position. Each application and supplemental questionnaire will be thoroughly evaluated for satisfaction of minimum qualifications and relevance of educational coursework, training, experience, and knowledge and abilities that relate to the position. Candidates possessing the most appropriate job-related qualifications will be invited to an interview.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A background investigation may be required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.
Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org. Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications including the answers to the supplemental questions as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.
Ag Open Space values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The District is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.
RECRUITMENT BY
Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, with assistance from the County of Sonoma Human Resources Department:
575 Administration Drive, #116B
Santa Rosa CA 95403
Phone: (707) 565-2331
Fax: (707) 565-3770
HR Analyst: CA
Technician: RR