Field Crew Project Coordinator
Job Announcement
Project Coordinator
Employer: Humboldt County Resource Conservation District (HCRCD)
Work Location(s): Main work location is anticipated to be HCRCD’s main Eureka office. Field sites are throughout Humboldt County.
Position: Full Time, 40 hours per week, Full Benefits
Background
The Humboldt County Resource Conservation District (HCRCD) is a Special District that works to implement a range of agricultural enhancement and habitat restoration projects to improve and protect natural resources and wildlife habitat on private and public lands. HCRCD has entered into a partnership with the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) to maintain and monitor restored native vegetation mitigation sites in Humboldt County.
Position Overview:
The Project Coordinator will lead a field crew for native vegetation maintenance, monitoring, and reporting activities on CalTrans mitigation sites and perform other implementation and activities associated with habitat restoration and agricultural sites across Humboldt County. The Project Coordinator will lead a small team of 1 - 3 seasonal project assistants, will ensure field safety, and oversee the quality and quantity of work performed. Working primarily outdoors, this role involves hands-on management of ecological restoration activities such as planting, invasive species control, and compliance monitoring to meet success criteria.
The Project Coordinator will be working on current CalTrans mitigation project sites throughout Humboldt County. All mitigation sites have been planted with native vegetation and require maintenance that includes weeding, mowing, watering, plant replacement, and mulching. Some sites include additional activities including planting of native vegetation, vegetation clearing of select trees and branches, and other field work activities. Monitoring activities include performing upland and wetland vegetation monitoring and photo monitoring. Monitoring training will be offered to the selected applicant. Monitoring results will be described in annual monitoring reports or progress reports.
The position is funded through CalTrans mitigation funding as well as other state and federal sources. This funding has recently been awarded, and the Project Coordinator is expected to work in close coordination with HCRCD staff to assist in the purchase, inventory, and maintenance of necessary equipment. This position is a full-time position working under the supervision of the Agricultural Enhancement Program Manager.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Planning and Collaboration (10%)
The Project Coordinator will report to the Agricultural Program Manager. Together they will assess and plan fieldwork priorities each week. This includes meeting regularly (in-person), as well as communicating regularly via cellular phone or text with various HCRCD employees and agency representatives to ensure that fieldwork priorities are met. As needed, under guidance of the Program Manager, the Project Coordinator will work with a broad array of partner organizations, agency staff, and landowners. In coordination with the Program Manager, the Project Coordinator will create regular reports on data collected.
- Field Staff Coordination and Field Oversight (15%)
Under guidance of the Agricultural Program Manager, the Project Coordinator will provide day-to-day oversight and guidance to Project Assistants in the field. This position will be responsible for crew safety, work quality, and quantity. With direction from the Program Manager, the Project Coordinator is expected to work effectively with minimal supervision in both an independent and cooperative capacity and to provide constructive feedback and mentorship to Project Assistants in the field.
- Equipment Maintenance (10%)
Oversee and maintain restoration equipment and vehicles. Typical work includes regularly inventorying equipment, assessing the function of equipment, and coordinating and conducting regular equipment maintenance. Anticipated equipment includes vehicles, brush cutters/weed whackers, water pumps, chainsaws, trailers, ATVs, PPE, etc.
- Safety Program (5%)
The Project Coordinator will participate in and implement the HCRCD safety training program and ensure adequate safety efforts on-site. The Project Coordinator will be responsible for ensuring that all Project Assistants implement training to safely operate restoration/maintenance equipment and follow proper safety precautions at each work site. The Project Coordinator will enforce safety protocols, oversee safe work practices, and act as the safety lead in the field.
- Restoration Field Work & Reporting (60%)
The Project Coordinator will work alongside and lead a field crew to complete restoration/maintenance field work and ensure that field operations are meeting project goals. Typical work includes planting, mowing, controlling invasive weeds, installing and operating irrigation systems, vegetation clearing, attending trainings, monitoring, data collection, and annual reporting activities.
- Other Duties
Other duties as may be assigned.
Applicant Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The qualification requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Required Minimum Qualifications
- A bachelor's degree with a focus on environmental studies, natural resource management, watershed science, conservation planning, or related field; a combination of education and equivalent professional experience may be considered.
- Three or more years of professional experience (in addition to education requirement above); advanced education beyond a bachelor’s degree may be considered as additional work experience.
- Knowledge of and experience with:
- Restoration and vegetation maintenance techniques.
- Use and maintenance of restoration equipment.
- Scheduling and organizing field crews.
- Vegetation monitoring and reporting.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain cooperative, respectful and effective working relationships with a variety of people with diverse interests and temperaments.
- Ability to work independently, as an effective member of a team, and as a team leader.
- Excellent communication skills including speaking, listening, and writing.
- Ability to understand and follow oral and written directions.
- Ability to exercise good judgment and maintain confidentiality in all communications.
- Ability to assess risk and make safe decisions.
- Ability to prioritize and organize workload and tasks.
- Experience and familiarity with operating typical office machines, including phones, computers, printers, copy machines, fax machines, calculators, etc.
- Physically able to conduct restoration work in the field during all seasons and in inclement weather. Includes lifting, carrying supplies and equipment, and planting; see Physical Demands below.
- Possess a valid California Class C driver’s license and be able to drive 4x4 trucks and be trained to pull trailers and drive ATVs and other off-road vehicles.
Desired Qualifications
- Knowledge of local native vegetation.
- Experience working with other conservation groups.
- Proficiency with ArcGIS and GPS.
- Creativity, “can do” spirit, collegiality, flexibility, strong desire to learn and to mentor.
Work Environment
The main office location for this position is in Eureka, HCRCD’s main office. Additional work and coordination may occur at HCRCD in McKinleyville Office. Field work will take place in a variety of field locations throughout Humboldt County. The work environment experienced by this position may include working along California Highways and other roads; working outdoors in weather and on terrain of all types, including adverse terrain; traversing field sites by foot or in an ATV or UTVs; traveling alone or with others in a 4 x 4 vehicle between project sites, while trailering work equipment; and working in a shared office space. The Project Coordinator will work with or near mechanical parts, equipment, power tools, and other machinery. The Project Coordinator may work in direct proximity to un-restrained livestock and around electrified fencing. This position will have limited exposure to high precarious places, toxic or caustic chemicals, vibration, and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the environment at times may be moderate to high.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the Project Coordinator is required to regularly talk, hear, see and smell. On a daily basis the employee is required to sit, stand, walk on flat or uneven ground or through mud, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, bend, crouch, or crawl. The employee may occasionally lift up to 50 pounds, push, pull or carry up to 40 pounds and frequently will need to maneuver around outdoor sites in inclement weather. The employee in this position must have the ability to reach with hands and arms and to use their hands or fingers to handle, grasp and feel. Employees in this position frequently use hand tools and gas-powered equipment such as weedwhackers.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Wages, Hours and Commencement of Work
The starting wage range for this position is $28.00 - $30.87 an hour dependent on experience. The successful candidate will work up to 40 hours a week. The successful candidate would ideally be able to start work within 4 weeks of selection.
Application Instructions
To apply, email a cover letter, resume, three or more references, and a completed HCRCD Job Application Form to Jill Demers, Executive Director: jill@hcrcd.org . Please title email: “Project Coordinator” Application materials may also be hand-delivered or mailed to Humboldt County Resource Conservation District, 5630 South Broadway, Eureka CA, 95503. Applicant review will begin immediately and continue until a qualified candidate is selected.