Natural Resources Specialist, Community Development

About the Department

Our mission is to facilitate orderly growth and development in the Deschutes County community through coordinated programs of Land Use Planning, Environmental Soils, Building Safety, Code Enforcement, Education, and Service to the public. Deschutes County Natural Resources manages and administers a comprehensive fire and noxious weed education, preparedness and mitigation program to reduce risk to communities, real property loss, and environmental damage in Deschutes County.

We know where you choose to live, work and play matters. Deschutes County is one of the largest employers in Central Oregon and the largest municipal government in the region. Our dedicated and passionate workforce of more than 1,250 employees provide County services in a number of departments, divisions, and offices. Located in the heart of Central Oregon, between the towering Cascade Mountain Range to the west and the high desert plateau to the east, Deschutes County is the outdoor recreation capital of Oregon.

We enjoy a renowned quality of life, with big-city opportunities and small-town neighborhoods.

This position provides the opportunity to contribute to a growing Natural Resources Department to reduce the risk of wildfire, control noxious weeds and help manage non-federal lands in Deschutes County. The position will manage a robust grant program and assist the Fire Adapted Communities Coordinator with Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs) and outreach material. The goal is to provide funding and services to communities that have the highest risk of wildfire and noxious weeds.

The position will engage with residents by planning and carrying out successful defensible space and mitigation projects. Main duties will involve site visits to communities and other non-federal land, contract administration, treatment monitoring, grant reporting and CWPP updates. The position will have an integral part in reducing risk of fire and noxious weeds in Deschutes County.

• Lead all aspects of grant program management and contract administration, including regulatory requirements, budgeting, and reporting.
• Use land maps or GIS (Geographic Information Systems) to map vegetation and resources for ecosystems, fire, fuel and other related projects, including maintaining data.
• Assist communities and agency partners throughout Deschutes County to prepare, revise and implement Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs).

• Knowledge of or experience with Natural Resource Management activities, including fire/fuel reduction, wildfire safety and mitigation, noxious weed control, and ecological restoration.
• General knowledge of the theory, practices, and principles of natural resource management program.
• General knowledge of the laws, procedures, principles, and regulations governing natural resource programs.
• General knowledge of trends, ecological changes, and developments in natural resource management.
• Writing and administering contracts and grants.
• Coordinating and leading projects.
• Interpreting and applying state and federal regulations, and County codes and policies.
• Standard and specialized computer software applications, including GIS applications.
• Developing educational material, interpreting and communicating plans, policies, procedures, and objectives.
• Presenting and defending program reports and recommendations in public meetings.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with co-workers, citizens, developers, advocates, and regional agencies.
• Facilitating discussions and meetings amongst a wide variety of stakeholders with diverse views and opinions.
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

• Bachelor's degree in Forestry, Natural Resources, or closely related field.
• Experience in grant and contract administration.
• Experience writing and implementing Community Wildfire Protection Plans.
• National Wildland Coordinating Group (NWCG) wildland fire qualifications.
• Experience in GIS applications.

• Associate’s degree in Natural Resources Management, Environmental Studies, Forestry, or related…