Job Description and Duties

DEADLINE FOR INITIAL APPLICATION REVIEW: 12:00 noon, March 11, 2024.

DEADLINE FOR INITIAL APPLICATION REVIEW: 12:00 noon, May 17, 2024.

The governing board of the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy (CVMC) is seeking experienced candidates to fill the position of Executive Director. This position is an Exempt, Excluded (non-civil service) position with the State of California, which will be open as of June 1, 2024.

Generally, the Executive Director is the chief executive officer of CVMC, who oversees all aspects of CVMC's functioning as a state agency within the Natural Resources Agency. CVMC's primary activities are (i) facilitating land conservation, which it accomplishes through a local assistance grant program to non-profit organizations and local governments for land acquisition, and through partnership acquisitions with other public entities and nonprofits the Friends of the Desert Mountains, the Wildlands Conservancy and the Oswit Land trust; (ii) serving as the acquisition manager for the Coachella Valley Conservation Commission (CVCC) in the implementation of the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (CVMSHCP); and (iii) operating grant programs that support projects that enhance the habitat value of conserved lands and watersheds, preserve cultural resources or expand recreational and educational opportunities related to conservation. CVMC's territory includes the Coachella Valley in Riverside County and its surrounding mountains.

For additional information about CVMC, please see the Strategic Plan 2020-2025, available at www.cvmc.ca.gov, or CVMC's governing statutes at California Public Resources Code Sections 33500 - 33806. Interested persons may also wish to visit www.cvmshcp.org to learn more about the CVMSHCP, which CVMC's board has used as a focus in setting its policy priorities.

If you have any questions about CVMC, the position or the application process, feel free to contact outgoing Executive Director Jim Karpiak at jkarpiak@cvmc.ca.gov or (760) 776-9698.

Minimum Requirements

This position does not have a Classification Specification. Requirements and qualifications for this position can be found in this announcement. For additional questions, please contact the hiring department listed below.

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist

Position Details

Job Code #:

JC-415930

Position #(s):

351-200-9737-001

Working Title:

Executive Director, Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancey

Classification:

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, COACHELLA VALLEY MOUNTAINS CONSERVANCY

$10,316.00 - $11,489.00

of Positions:

1

Work Location:

Riverside County

Telework:

In Office

Job Type:

Exempt Executive Assignment

• Non Tenured, Full Time

Work Shift:

8am-5pm

Work Week:

Monday-Friday

Department Information

CVMC was established by the state legislature in 1991 as a public-sector land trust with broad powers to protect open space and wildlife within the Coachella Valley and its surrounding mountains. During most of its 32+ year history, CVMC has focused on funding or facilitating the acquisition of land for perpetual conservation, resulting in over 110,000 acres of land being acquired so far.

More recently, CVMC's work program has expanded significantly to embrace habitat restoration efforts, improved joint land management efforts with partner agencies, improved access to recreation through new trail or other amenities and implementing the California Water Action Plan in the Coachella Valley. Over the next several years, CVMC's priorities are implementing California's 30 by 30 land conservation policy and expanding access to the out of doors for economically disadvantaged and other communities that lack open space facilities. CVMC has four full time positions: the Executive Director, an Associate Director/Staff Services Manager, an Associate Governmental Program Analyst, and a Staff Services Analyst.

The current Executive Director is retiring May 31, 2024, and the CVMC board anticipates filling the position as of June 1 or as soon as feasible thereafter. CVMC receives approximately 80% of its support funding from the State; it generates the remaining portion of its operating revenue from contract work for non-state entities such as CVCC. In the past this has included preparation of the CVMSHCP, assisting entities with their acquisition programs, environmental mitigation, and trails planning and development.

CVMC's current grant programs are supported by funds from Propositions 1, 68 and 84, as well as state general fund revenues. The Governing Board consists of 20 members: a member of the city council of each of the cities of Cathedral City, Coachella, Desert Hot Springs, Indian Wells, Indio, La Quinta, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, and Rancho Mirage, a member of the Tribal Council of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, a member of the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, representatives of several state agencies (the Natural Resources Agency, Departments of Finance and Fish & Wildlife and Parks and Recreation, Wildlife Conservation Board and University of California/Riverside), 2 and three members chosen from the general public appointed respectively by the Governor, the Senate Rules Committee and the Assembly Speaker. The board meets approximately six times a year under the leadership of a Chair and Vice Chair elected by the board. The board appoints the CVMC's Executive Director, subject to the approval of the Governor's office.

Department Website: http://www.parks.ca.gov

Special Requirements

1.Please describe your specific work-related experience and knowledge in conservation, real estate, natural resource management and grant programs. Why do you believe your experience will make you successful in this position?

2.Please describe your leadership experience. What is your leadership style and what approach do you take mitigating conflict, or handling challenging situations independently? Please describe a specific example.

3.As the Executive Director, you have been asked by the Governor to develop a strategic plan in an effort to make recreational access equitable for residents that have been historically excluded. What steps would you take to manage and execute this project?

Application Instructions

Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: Until Filled

Who May Apply

This is a non-testing Classification, therefore, anyone meeting the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification may apply for this position. Individuals in specific programs, such as the Welfare to Work Program, are encouraged to apply and will be given priority according to the applicable Laws and Rules.

Please note on your application your current participation in these programs. Individuals who are eligible to be appointed to this Exempt Position by the State of California.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of Parks & Recreation

Attn: Class and hiring

P.O. Box 942896

Sacramento, CA 94296-0001

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Parks & Recreation

Class & Hiring

PO Box 942896

Sacramento, CA 94296-001

Non operational on weekends and state holidays.

08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.

• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.

• Statement of Qualifications

• Please see Special Requirements Section above.

• Other -

Letter of interest

• Other -

Contact information for three professional references

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

As a state employee, the Executive Director also receives a comprehensive benefit plan including, but not limited to:

• Retirement: California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) 2% at 62 Plan (employee contribution required) and an optional 401 (k) program.

• Insurance: Health, dental, vision, and life insurance programs provided. Employee contributions may be required depending on programs selected.

• Leave Allowance: Vacation and sick leave benefits provided; 11 holidays observed.

• Additional information about benefits available can be viewed on the State Personnel Board website.

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website: http://www.parks.ca.gov

Hiring Unit Contact:

Jim Karpiak

(760) 776-9698

jkarpiak@cvmc.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:

Sharon Comas

• Human Rights Office

(916) 653-9990

sharon.comas@parks.ca.gov

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.