MSHCP Compliance Manager

Under general supervision, plans, organizes, oversees, coordinates, implements, and reviews the work of staff performing tasks necessary to maintain consistency with Western Riverside Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP) permitting requirements and corresponding state and federal regulations. This includes complex and professional analyses necessary to process Joint Project Review (JPR)/ Habitat Evaluation and Acquisition Negotiations (HANS) reviews, Participating Special Entity applications, Criteria Refinements, and other permitting elements;

provides technical and policy direction to staff, management, consultants, contractors, and the Regional Conservation Agency (RCA) Board of Directors pertaining to compliance; provides highly complex and responsible support to the RCA Deputy Director in areas of expertise; and performs related work as required. Receives general direction from the RCA Deputy Director. Exercises direct and general supervision over professional, technical, and administrative support staff.

This is a program management classification that manages all activities related to compliance with MSHCP and state and federal regulations. The incumbent organizes and oversees day-to-day management of compliance activities. Responsibilities include performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibility. The incumbent is responsible for providing professional-level support to the RCA Deputy Director in a variety of areas.

Successful performance of the work requires an extensive professional background as well as skill in coordinating program work. This class is distinguished from the RCA Deputy Director in that the Compliance Manager has responsibility for management of all functions of permitting compliance as provided by the MSHCP and associated state and federal endangered species act permits under direction and supervision of the RCA Deputy Director.

• Leads and manages the day-to-day operations of the RCA’s permitting compliance team, including supervising compliance team staff.
• Plans, organizes, and oversees consistency of JPR/HANS applications for development projects and other permitting-related applications and documents with MSHCP requirements. Tasks include drafting, reviewing and approving MSHCP findings for proposed projects.
• Resolves sensitive issues relating to MSHCP permitting-related activities; advises RCA Right of Way staff on land acquisition as determined by JPR/HANS review and rights-of-way/easements; acts as liaison with public agencies and private entities; provides technical advice, information, and materials for use by legal counsel in court actions.
• Advises and provides guidance to staff from Permittee planning departments, applicants and their consultants and stakeholders from other public agencies and organizations on MSHCP implementation.
• Drafts and updates policies and procedures relating to the implementation and administration of the MSHCP in keeping with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Assists the RCA Deputy Director and RCA Director in developing strategies to continuously improve compliance management and process efficiencies.
• Prepares, analyzes, and evaluates a variety of contracts and other agreements with as-needed support from legal counsel.
• Makes presentations to the RCA Board, committees, the RCTC Commission, other governmental agencies, and at staff meetings; provides assistance and input at various regional, state, and local public meetings to address regional conservation and MSHCP issues.
• Researches and responds to inquiries and requests in support of public inquiries and of senior management staff relating to regional conservation and MSHCP permitting compliance issues.
• Participates in the selection of, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; works with staff on performance issues; recommends discipline to the Deputy Director and/or Director; and recommends appropriate service and staffing levels.
• Oversees the development of consultant requests for proposals and qualifications for professional services to support MSHCP permitting compliance activities; evaluates proposals and recommends project award; negotiates consultant contract scope, schedule, and cost, and recommends approval of contracts; develops and reviews contract terms and amendments; ensures contractor compliance with established standards and specifications and time and budget estimates; reviews and updates deliverables;
  
  coordinates and reviews contract billings; and, analyzes and resolves complex problems that may arise.
• Provides a high level of customer service to the public, vendors, contractors, and RCTC staff.
• Manages, coordinates, and completes other special projects as assigned.
• Performs other duties as required.

• State and federal endangered species acts and other local, state, and federal environmental laws, regulations, and…