Environmental Program Coordinator

The City of Kirkland is looking to hire an Environmental Program Coordinator for the Planning & Building Department!

The Planning & Building Department is seeking an experienced environmental professional who has urban forestry experience, a knowledge of how development regulations can be designed to achieve forestry goals, advanced project management skills, and passion for educating and serving our community to join our team.  The Environmental Program Coordinator will be involved, or lead, projects to update the Urban Forestry Strategic Plan, update the Shoreline Master Program, and help advance the Sustainability Strategic Plan in the near term - exciting opportunities to help the City achieve our urban canopy and broader sustainability objectives.  Applicants with experience in development review, familiarity with supporting appointed and elected officials, and creativity in making complex or technical topics accessible to diverse audiences are encouraged to apply.

Why Kirkland?

Ranked as one of the most livable cities in America, Kirkland is an attractive and inviting place to live, work, and visit.  We have big city vision while maintaining a small-town, community feel.  If you are a candidate with the desire to join an organization looking to innovate into the future, the City of Kirkland is the place for you!  

If you ask our employees why they love where they work, they will tell you about the great people, work environment, supportive leadership and City Council, and fearless innovation. 

We also invest in you!

Competitive Wages:  We strive to maintain competitive compensation packages and work to provide wages that meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities of our employees. 

Awesome benefits:  The City offers benefits that are unmatched by most other employers.  Please click on the benefits tab above to view more details. 

Childcare Programs:  To help address the challenge of finding reliable childcare, the City of Kirkland has reserved spots for City employees at local and regional providers, available at a discount.  New employees gain access to Kirkland's reserved spots as soon as they start employment.  Learn more!

Training and Career Development:  The City of Kirkland believes in developing it's employees.  You will have access to training opportunities designed for career development and advancement based on your position, skills, and interests. 

Job Summary  

The Environmental Program Coordinator spearheads the implementation of a broad range of City activities including environmental, natural resources, and urban forestry initiatives identified in the Urban Forestry Six Year Work Program, Urban Forest Strategic Management Plan, Surface Water Master Plan, Sustainability Master Plan, Comprehensive Plan and other environment- and natural resources-related plans and policies. Assists with long-range planning, drafting of policies, development regulations, and City standards. Coordinates and provides public information and education about City policies, regulations, and activities. This position works cooperatively with City staff and departments to coordinate and implement Citywide efforts requiring cross-departmental management and coordination. This position tracks progress toward identified tasks and goals, prepares periodic progress reports to management and City Council, and makes recommendations for system improvements to management and City Council.

Level Description: Senior level work is performed under basic or limited supervision. The supervisor makes assignments or sets overall objectives and resources available. The work requires extensive knowledge in a broad variety of disciplines and activities. Knowledge required is typically attained through extended training and experience for a wide variety of interrelated or nonstandard procedural assignments and to resolve a wide range of problems.

Qualifier Description: This qualification applies professional judgment to prepare recommendations on policy and regulatory issues to City departments and decision makers.

Job Series Description: Coordinator covers job classes primarily engaged in independently facilitating activities and communications between departments, programs, cities, counties, and other outside organizations, and the technical review and analysis of data and reports.

Distinguishing Characteristics: This is a single level job class that follows diversified procedures and implements processes to accomplish end results, within guidelines. Immediate supervision is available upon request.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: -- Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required.   The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Leads, organizes, and participates in interdisciplinary teams or committees consisting of interdepartmental or interagency staff, community representatives, and regional teams regarding natural resource management programs, policies, and standards.

• Manages and implements environment- and natural resources-related long range projects. Prepares urban forestry and natural resource management plans, policies, codes, guidelines, and standards pertaining to the care, protection, and maintenance of trees and natural resources and their surface water benefits.

• Evaluates critical area buffer vegetation gaps and implements projects and programs to enhance buffer vegetation.

• Coordinates and initiates application for grants and other resources to assist with program implementation.

• Manages professional consulting services and projects by writing work scopes, preparing requests for proposals, conducting consultant selection, negotiating contract agreements, and budget tracking within the City's established procedures.

• Manages and assists projects through development of project scope, schedule, budget, project documentation, and other project management tools.

• Manages data collection and analysis around public and private tree removal and canopy restoration and makes programmatic recommendations related to the City's canopy goals based on findings.

• Oversees the maintenance and management of the City's tree inventory, canopy coverage assessment, strategic management goals and performance indicators, and other forestry-related measures.

• Prepares, writes, and submits grant applications; manages funding for natural resource  related projects and programs.

• Provides information to the public, permit applicants, and public officials regarding the City's natural resource regulations and policies.

• Plans and conducts training sessions for staff, community groups, and community members in the care and maintenance of the City's natural resources.

• Presents staff reports at public meetings before boards, commissions and City Council.

• May assist City staff in technical review for public construction, repair and capital improvement projects.

• Prepares public information regarding trees and other natural resources.

• Designs internal procedures related to trees and forestry.

• Leads or may assist with development of vegetation management programs for streets, trails, and parks.

• May assist with park and open space master planning.

• Leads or may assist City staff in promoting public awareness of the value of Kirkland's urban forest and other environmental resources.

• May assist in preparation of departmental budgets.

• May serve as an emergency worker in the event of an emergency.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Fluency in effective project/program management.

• Knowledge of the care and maintenance of trees and plant materials used for landscaping of urban areas.

• Knowledge of environmental regulations, policies, and planning practices.

• Knowledge of horticulture and arboriculture practices.

• Knowledge of urban forestry practices, policies, and codes.

• Ability to coordinate with other City staff and departments in collaborative problem solving and completion of tasks.

• Ability to analyze and interpret policies, regulations, data, and maps.

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

• Ability to communicate clearly both in writing and orally, including the ability to make public presentations before hearing bodies and diverse groups.

• Ability to independently organize and prioritize workload.

• Ability to demonstrate advanced interpersonal and customer relations skills.

• Ability to identify trees and plant materials, and their ecological context, and to recognize plant diseases, pests, cultural and nutritional deficiencies, and recommend corrective treatments.

• Ability to negotiate solutions and facilitate consensus on natural resource management issues.

• Ability to operate personal computer programs, including those involving word processing, spreadsheets, presentation graphics, and permit tracking.

• Skills in research, analysis, and interpretation of environmental data.

• Ability to work with citizens, public officials, consultants, and contractors in a knowledgeable and professional manner.

• Ability to work outdoors in variable weather conditions on challenging terrain.

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree in biology, ecology, environmental science programs, planning, landscape architecture or related field and three years of professional work experience in the field of natural resource management. International Society of Arboriculture Certification and Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) are preferred.

Required Licenses or Certifications:

• Must have and maintain a valid Washington State Driver's License.

Physical Demands and Working Environment:

• Job involves desk work, which may be interrupted with phone and counter calls. Involves attendance at meetings in City Hall or off site and before or after normal working hours. Reports and correspondence are typically prepared at the computer.

• Frequent site visits to forested areas and construction sites can involve rugged and dirty conditions.

Selection Process

Position requires a resume and cover letter for consideration of application.  Please note how you meet minimum qualifications within the cover letter.  Applicants who are selected for next steps in the hiring process will be invited by phone or e-mail.  Candidates are encouraged to apply at the earliest possible date as screening, interviewing, and hiring decisions will be made through the recruitment period, until such time as the vacancy is filled. This position is open until filled, with a first review date by the 15th day of initial posting. 

The City of Kirkland is a welcoming community where every person can thrive and grow. We value diversity, inclusion, belonging, and work together to support our community. We do this by solving problems, focusing on the customer, and respecting all people who come into the City whether to visit, live, or work.  As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to creating a workforce that does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. We encourage qualified applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply to our job postings.  Persons with a disability who need reasonable accommodations in the application or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 425-587-3210 or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf 425-587-3111.