Conservation Futures Program Planner

King County•Seattle - Regional area, WA

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

In addition to the current opening, this recruitment may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates to fill future vacancies within the Water and Land Resources Division or throughout the Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP) over the next six months. King County's Conservation Futures grant program awards more than $100 million annually to King County programs, cities, and nonprofit organizations to acquire and permanently protect forests, farms, natural lands, trail corridors, urban green spaces, and other valued open spaces. Conservation Futures is the primary funding source supporting King County's Land Conservation Initiative (LCI), which seeks to protect remaining high-conservation-value lands within a generation. This position offers an opportunity to contribute directly to conservation efforts that support livable and sustainable communities, clean water, healthy habitat, equitable access to open space, and the long-term protection of King County's natural environment. As the Conservation Futures Program Planner, you will support the Conservation Futures Program Manager and program team in administering all aspects of the Conservation Futures grant program. Your work will include supporting the annual grant round, managing and improving program data and workflows, tracking previously awarded grants, working with grant recipients to monitor conservation acquisitions, preparing and editing reports and program materials, and developing presentations and communications for a variety of audiences. You will also play an important role in supporting the program's volunteer advisory committee, including coordinating and staffing application review meetings and field trips. Up to approximately 15% of the position's work may support other programs and projects advancing the Land Conservation Initiative. Depending on program needs, this could include strategic planning, environmental market-based programs, natural asset management, community-driven conservation efforts, the Transfer of Development Rights program, or King County's Open Space Equity Cabinet. This opportunity may be a strong fit for someone who enjoys detailed, complex work; communicates effectively; builds productive relationships; and is motivated by the opportunity to conserve open space for today's residents and future generations. The Conservation Futures Program is within the Rural and Regional Services Section (RRS) of the Water and Land Resources Division. Our teams within RRS work to permanently conserve 1,000 acres or more each year in support of the Land Conservation Initiative and King County's broader goals for protecting vital open spaces. In addition to the Conservation Futures Program, the unit conducts real estate transactions and supports environmental market programs. Our team at RRS, provides services to partners throughout the Water and Land Resources Division, Parks and Recreation Division, and external agencies and organizations. You will join a fast-paced, high-performing three-person Conservation Futures team where collaboration, communication, attention to detail, continuous learning, and process improvement are important to the team's success. King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees. As a PPM I, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity. Apply now for a rewarding career at the Water and Land Resource Division of King County Department of Natural Resources & Parks (DNRP). Join our talented workforce in protecting and restoring the natural environment and promoting more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. Enjoy training, comprehensive benefits, and growth opportunities.

Requirements

Knowledge of concepts related to conservation of natural resources and how healthy natural assets and natural systems benefit people and ability to apply concepts to operations of a natural resource agency.
Experience supporting conservation grant administration or other relevant grant-related work, including experience supporting teams in securing, administering, or implementing grants.
Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills, and a demonstrated ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with a wide variety of partners, stakeholders, audiences, or constituencies.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including strong attention to detail and ability to proofread and edit others’ work.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency with Microsoft Excel or comparable data-management tools.
Familiarity with GIS software and experience using GIS to create maps.
Experience with the conservation or stewardship of open space, including farms, forests, parks, or trails.

Responsibilities

Assist the Conservation Futures team with all aspects of administering the annual grant program, including working with applicants and grant recipients and supporting grant-related processes and activities.
Maintain complex program data and workflows with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail and help identify opportunities to streamline systems and processes.
Work with grant recipients to monitor progress on Conservation Futures-funded acquisitions and previously awarded grants.
Draft, edit, proofread, and organize reports, program materials, presentations, and communications for internal and external audiences.
Coordinate logistics and provide support for volunteer advisory committee meetings, application reviews, and field trips.
Develop effective working relationships with King County staff, cities, nonprofit organizations, grant applicants, recipients, and other conservation partners.
Support additional conservation projects and programs as capacity and program needs allow.