Special Projects Officer

Apply Now

Company: East Bay Regional Park District

Location: Oakland, CA 94601

Description:

Salary : $148,532.80 - $199,056.00 Annually
Location : Oakland, CA
Job Type: Full-time (40 hrs)
Job Number: 25-AP-04
Division: General Manager's Office
Opening Date: 02/19/2025
Closing Date: 3/14/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

The Position

ABOUT US:
The East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) is a full-service governmental agency stewarding a metropolitan system of public open space parklands and trails in Alameda and Contra Costa counties east of the San Francisco Bay. EBRPD spans across 126,000 acres in 73 regional parks, including over 1,330 miles of trails that are enjoyed by over 25 million visitors and the community per year. The Park District acquires, manages, and preserves natural and cultural resources for everyone to enjoy now and forever to experience nature nearby.

OUR MISSION:
EBRPD preserves a rich heritage of natural and cultural resources and provides open space, parks, trails, safe and healthful recreation and environmental education. An environmental ethic guides the District in all of its activities.

OUR VALUES:
  • Respect - We honor the land we steward, each other, and the park visitors we serve.
  • Resilience - We creatively adapt to change. We address challenges with empathy, perspective, and determination.
  • Relationships - Our greatest strength lies in the trust, accountability, and teamwork we cultivate with our colleagues, partners, and the public we serve.
  • Responsiveness - We communicate openly, honestly, and reliably.
  • Transparency - We hold the public's trust through meaningful stakeholder engagement and access to timely and reliable information on decisions and performance.

WHY WORK FOR EBRPD?
  • Working with a purpose for a better world today and for future generations through the preservation of open space, public access to the outdoors, and a commitment to the conservation of the natural world found east of the San Francisco Bay across 33 cities in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
  • A community of colleagues who are passionate about public service and the East Bay Regional Park District, the communities it serves, and its mission.
  • Excellent benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending, and pension benefits through California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). Click for details regarding additional benefits.
  • Tuition reimbursement and professional development.
  • Free on-site parking.
  • Free parking permit for EBRPD parks (for up to 2 privately owned vehicles)
  • Employee discounts for certain EBRPD park amenities (reservations, daily fishing permit, public boat launch).
THE OPPORTUNITY:
The East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) seeks a strategic and visionary project manager to serve as the Special Projects Officer in the General Managers Office. Reporting to the General Manager, the Special Projects Officer will be responsible for supervising large-scale projects that have Districtwide impact. Incumbents are responsible for the development, successful implementation, and quality control of all aspects of the project which may include supervision over professional, technical, and clerical support staff in a unit or division or an interdivisional team across divisions. The Special Projects Officer is a management level classification with responsibility for the overall administration of large, complex, interdivisional projects including advice, analysis, consultation, and recommendations related to the preparation and administration of the Park District's key initiatives. This position is not eligible for remote work and will be expected to work out of the Park District headquarters office.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:
This is an exciting role and position at the Park District as we engage in district-wide work to assess, implement, and review organizational change. Under general direction, assists the General Manager in administering project management of Park District priority projects and initiatives that have Districtwide impact. The Special Projects Officer organizes, manages, and directs the review and implementation of the Park District's major projects and programs across divisions, departments, with external and internal stakeholders, and other public agencies and assists the formulation and implementation of policies and procedures; manages subordinate staff; and performs related duties as assigned.
Essential Functions
The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.
Plan, organize, manage, participate in, and direct the work of the project including the development, successful implementation, and quality control aspects of each project; supports interdivisional coordination and collaboration necessary to plan and implement complex project goals and possible regulatory requirements; leads, researches, develops, and recommends organizational goals, programs, and projects as they relate to Park District key priorities and initiatives; prepare project management strategies in coordination with Park District divisions, departments, external stakeholders, and other public agencies; selects, develops, motivates, evaluates and directs the work of subordinate staff; develop policies and procedures for establishing costs, schedule controls and coordinating activities; direct the preparation and administration of project budgets; prepare cost forecasts, variances and critical paths including project closeout procedures, negotiate and administer contracts with project participants and service providers; analyze proposed and current project management regulations and develop recommendations for implementation compliance; prepare or review staff reports and resolutions for the General Manager, Deputy General Manager, Board of Directors; work closely with the Board of Directors, public and private groups, professional groups, and constituents to explain or coordinate plans for proposed projects and to solicit their support; resolve project conflicts and delays in a timely manner and keep with the budgetary constraints and established project schedule; maintain schedule and inform executive leadership management of potential conflicts; manage, assign, supervise and evaluate assigned staff; provide training and staff development.

Minimum Qualifications
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Education: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in public or business administration or other relevant degree for project management. A Master's degree is desirable;

AND

Experience: Six (6) years of professional level project management experience supporting large project and program management, preferably in a governmental agency. Three (3) years of which must have been as a high-level manager with supervisory responsibility.
License or Certificate: Possession of a valid California Driver's License is a condition of initial employment in this classification.

Additional Information
The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or to be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of: Principles and practices of project management; principles and practices of management and supervision; contract negotiation and administration; conflict resolution techniques; principles of budget development and monitoring including development of control measures to remain within budget; principles and practices of public agencies; laws, rules, regulations, and policies; personal computer systems and applications; and principles and techniques for persuasive presentation of ideas and concepts in both oral and written formats.
Ability to: Coordinate a variety of projects and activities inter-divisionally and with outside agencies; plan, organize, direct, and coordinate a variety of functional specialties with overlapping work areas; manage and evaluate staff; develop and maintain positive relationships with community leaders, organizations, businesses, and staff; supervise and direct staff in various divisions who are assigned to project team; interpret and enforce administrative/operational polices, practices and procedures; analyze complex technical and administrative information and systems problems, evaluate alternative solutions, and recommend or adopt effective courses of action, communicate effectively and persuasively in both oral and written format; speak in large and small group settings; prepare and analyze comprehensive reports; conduct staff meetings; exercise sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines; analyze and solve problems of a complex nature; prepare and administer departmental budgets; negotiate and administer a variety of contracts; exercise sound judgment, initiative, and tact; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work at all levels, including a culturally diverse general public, with a focus on quality service to internal staff and external customers.

Management Designation: This position is not affiliated with a union and is considered part of the Management group and is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (i.e. is not eligible for overtime); in addition to the regular work schedule, this position may require availability to work evenings and/or weekends. The probationary period for this position is one year. This position is designated as "at-will" and serves at the pleasure of the General Manager.

Application materials for these positions consist of two (2) required parts:
  • A current East Bay Regional Park District application submitted online, and
  • Completed supplemental questions
  • Apply prior to the closing time of the job announcement and allow at least one (1) hour to submit your application if you are a new user to the system. If you have previously applied to a position on GovernmentJobs.com, please allow time to update your existing profile. Applications are accepted online only. Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you encounter problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov Help Desk toll-free at (855) 524-5627.

    Notification: All applicants will be notified of the status of their application via email, generally within two to three weeks after the closing date. You may also sign into your GovernmentJobs.com account to view your current application status and notifications.

    Selection Process: The application materials for all applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed by a screening panel to select the best qualified for oral examination/interview. The District reserves the right to set up a written test, performance test, and/or other assessment procedures before or after the interview process. Possession of minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview or invitation to test. Pursuant to the Federal Immigration and Reform Act of 1986, all applicants who are hired will be required to provide proof of identity and appropriate work authorization documents prior to commencement of employment.

    Tentative Date of Onsite Interviews: Late March 2025

    CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
    Must pass a Level 1 Background Check.

    In addition to the regular work schedule, this position may be required to work evenings and/or weekends to attend meetings and trainings as needed.

    Special Testing Arrangements: If you require special arrangements due to a verified disability or medical condition, please contact the Human Resources Department at (510) 544-2154 at least five business days before the test.

    Equal Opportunity Employer:
    The East Bay Regional Park District is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects a diverse workforce and community. It is committed to promoting an equitable and inclusive workspace that is welcoming to all. Applicants from all backgrounds and life experiences are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.
    For information regarding the District's applicable benefits package, please visit

    For temporary and/or on-call assignments, there are no benefits offered.
    01

    Be sure to answer the supplemental questions thoroughly and accurately. Answers to the supplemental questions must be supported by the experience section of the application. Additionally, "See Resume" as a response will not be considered sufficient information to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. I have read and understand the statement above concerning submission of supplemental questionnaire responses.
    • Yes
    • No

    02

    Provide an example of the most complex special project you played a key role in planning, implementing and monitoring of the activity including controlling project costs, if applicable. Describe your specific role(s), challenges, solutions, successes, and what you learned.
    03

    Describe your experience in preparing reports and making formal presentations to governing bodies, community groups or general public, other agencies, and/or internal agency departments.
    04

    Describe your experience in developing and managing a complex project budget in a government setting. Include the size of the project budget and the total number of employees in that organization.
    Required Question

    Similar Jobs