Project Specialist III (Parks & Recreation)

Are you a self directed professional looking to make a difference?

Snohomish County, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation Division wants you to join our team to fill our Project Specialist III position.

Snohomish County Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation Division manages over 12,000 acres of recreational and undeveloped land throughout the county, including the Evergreen State Fair Park in Monroe, Washington. The Project Specialist III serves a vital role in implementing special projects that help support the missions and visions of the Parks Division and the Evergreen State Fair Park. This position will help pursue long-term funding efforts and strategic programs to provide important services for the residents of Snohomish County. The current focus of this position is to develop and implement a sponsorship program for the Fair Park and larger Parks system, but alternative priorities may be assigned in the future.  The ideal candidate will be self-directed, strategic, creative, collaborative and excited about this role.  Please be aware that this position may require occasional evening and weekend work and will additionally be required to support the eleven days of the annual fair. 

About the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)
The Snohomish County Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) includes the Division of Surface Water Management, the Division of Parks & Recreation, the Office of Energy and Sustainability and the Office of Agriculture and aims to achieve high-priority environmental sustainability goals. Some of the greatest assets we have in Snohomish County are our unparalleled beauty and abundant natural resources. From the Puget Sound and five watersheds, to forestland, lakes, farms, ranches and parks, our quality of life, economic prosperity and future sustainability are dependent on protecting and improving our environmental resources. Visit the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources web page to learn more.

About Parks & Recreation 
Parks & Recreation manages almost 12,000 acres of parks and open space; over 110 park properties; 100s of miles of trails and access to fresh and saltwater shorelines. Major regional park assets such as the Evergreen State Fairgrounds, Kayak Point Park, Lord Hill Park and the Centennial and Interurban Trail systems host local, regional and national events that draw over 4 million visitors each year to Snohomish County.
 
Parks play a critical role in building livable and sustainable communities. They contribute to the health and wellness of individual citizens and communities by providing safe places to walk, swim, ride, run, recreate and play. County parks, events, trails and open space are on the front line of regional economic development efforts. Each year the region receives more than 50 million dollars in positive economic impact through camping and overnight lodging, special events and tournaments, environmental education and tourism that take place in Snohomish County park and recreation facilities.
 
Some of the greatest assets we have in Snohomish County are our unparalleled beauty and abundant natural resources. From the Puget Sound and five watersheds, to forestland, lakes, farms, ranches and parks, our quality of life, economic prosperity and future sustainability are dependent on protecting and improving our environmental resources. Visit the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources web page to learn more.

About Snohomish County
Snohomish County, north of Seattle, is located in northwest Washington between the Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains. The county has rich scenery, numerous activities, and a thriving economy. Snohomish County is a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family. When joining the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, you will work in an environment where innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement are highly encouraged and supported. We are proud to offer an outstanding benefit package to employees and their dependents. We are invested in your success and growth and offer competitive wages, job flexibility and stability, employer paid ORCA cards, and a friendly, diverse team atmosphere where employees are appreciated and make a real difference providing services for our citizens. We strive to not only provide a meaningful job, but a lifelong career.

Snohomish County - The Future We Choose

Benefits
Snohomish County will be invested in your success and growth. We demonstrate this by offering a generous compensation package to our employees. Your salary is only part of your Total Compensation Package. Our benefits include prorated:

• Retirement: County employees participate in the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) administered by the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS). 
• Medical benefits: The County offers a choice of three comprehensive medical insurance plan with low deductibles. The county’s contribution to this benefit is significant.
• Sick leave: You will accrue 8 hours of sick leave per month.
• Vacation Leave: You will start out accruing 8 hours of vacation leave per month totaling 2.4 weeks of vacation in your first year. Your leave accruals increase based on your years of employment with the County.  
• Holiday Pay: The County observes eleven (11) paid legal holidays per year and provides employees with two floating holidays annually.
• Other benefits include wellness, dental, vision, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, long term disability, and more.
• Deferred Compensation: If you choose to participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP), the County will match your contributions up to 1 percent of your base monthly salary.
• Pay Increases: Each year you will be eligible for a step increase until you reach the top step. 
• Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA): County employees typically receive yearly cost of living adjustments.  
• Flexible work schedules. 
• Career development training. 

For information about this job opportunity and posting, please email: Vicki Remtulla.

STATEMENT OF ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

1. Plans, develops and implements special projects; identifies information required, chooses data collection methods and col­lects data; develops program options; prepares analysis, pro­posals and cost estimates; solicits departmental and citizen involvement and input.

2. Assumes lead program role for multiple large projects as as­signed; coordinates with and provides guidance to Project Spe­cialists I’s and II's and/or technical staff in the planning and implementation of projects as assigned; insures that completed work complies with applicable laws, regulations, ordinances and grant requirements.

3. Prepares bids, requests for proposals and contracts; monitors the performance of various contractors, consultants and interlo­cal agreements; approves work in progress and on completion; ap­proves billings for services received; prepares status reports as required.

4. Prepares, submits and manages various grant proposals; drafts and monitors grant award contracts; coordinates and monitors work completed by grant funded subcontractors; administers various aspects of grants.

5. Serves as staff representative on various technical advisory committees, commissions and interest groups; coordinates the formation of various groups as necessary; develops agendas and keeps the groups informed about problems, needs, pending changes and various topics of interest; moderates discussions, mediates disputes, and resolves conflicts among numerous diverse groups both in-house and outside; arranges for presentations by other staff and agencies; delegates tasks and work assignments; takes minutes; coordinates the development of group policies, docu­ments and reports.

6. Responds to and resolves conflicts and questions from the gen­eral public, government and private officials and in­terest groups; researches files and provides information over the phone and in writing.

7. Gives presentations to various groups in Snohomish County; at­tends meetings and participates in or leads discussions.

8. Arranges for, sets up and/or participates in public meetings, hearings and council sessions; develops strategic approaches for presenting sensitive issues and information to a variety of au­diences; acts as departmental representative; prepares or super­vises the preparation of graphics, displays, brochures, leaflets and slide/tape shows; prepares oral and written presentations including findings and reports; responds to questions and solic­its input as appropriate.

STATEMENT OF OTHER JOB DUTIES

1. Performs related duties as required.
    

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
     A Bachelor's degree in environmental sciences/studies, public administration, political science, economics, geography, urban plan­ning, sociology, recreation, project management or a related field; AND, two (2) years experience in work specific to the specific requirements of the position; OR, any combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities. A Master's degree may be substituted for one (1) year of experience.  Must pass job related tests.
 
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
 
A valid Washington State Driver's License is required for em­ployment.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:

• the principles and practices of project management;
• research and data collection techniques;
• current literature, trends, regulations and developments in the field for which this position is located;
• the use of personal computers. 

Ability to:

• gather, evaluate and document technical data;
• read, interpret and apply legal documents;
• independently prepare and implement comprehensive programs;
• independently organize tasks, delegate responsibility and coordinate a team effort under deadlines;
• synthesize research results and use these results as a basis for recommendations;
• communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
• make effective group presentations; 
• establish and maintain effective work relationships with all levels of        county management and staff, representatives of other agencies and the general public;
• read, interpret and apply federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations governing assigned duties; 
• communicate effectively with people of all ages and from a variety of cultural, economic and ethnic backgrounds;
• negotiate contracts and oversee contractors;
• resolve conflicts. 

SUPERVISION
     Employees in this class receive direction from a work group supervisor, division manager, manager, director or administrative superior. The work is performed with considerable independence and is reviewed through meetings, periodic status reports and results obtained.

WORKING CONDITIONS
     The work is performed in the usual office environment with field trips to locations throughout the county for the purpose of attending community meetings and public hearings and making site visits. Employee may be occasionally exposed to manufacturing-type environment and businesses that produce small quantities of chemi­cals.

Salary : $86,372 - $105,029