Director of Environmental Planning and Design - The Sea Ranch Association

Are you interested in furthering the environmental thought principles of revolutionary Landscape Architect Lawrence Halprin in guiding The Sea Ranch through the challenges of climate change? Consider this unique opportunity to implement the vision of an architecturally inspired community where environmental stewardship and commitment to iconic housing design concepts coexist on a beautiful, wild stretch of the Northern California coast. Join our 80+ member team of engaged employees to help manage this unique and world-renowned community by applying for a position now.

Job Title: Director of Environmental Planning and Design

Department: Design, Compliance & Environmental Design (DCEM)

Position Status:  Full-time

Classification: Exempt

Reports To: Community Manager

Contacts: Heavy external member/customer interactions 

Salary: $135,000-$150,000

ROLE SUMMARY

This position assists The Sea Ranch members in stewarding Halprin’s founding principles on their private parcels, as well as guiding The Sea Ranch Association in the management of our shared Commons. As guided by The Sea Ranch Design Committee, this important role leads the strategies for all vegetation/environmental planning, design, and management/stewardship of The Sea Ranch landscape and built environment – a fundamental principle of The Sea Ranch Development. 

The Director of Environmental Planning and Design manages and oversees all operations for the department of Design, Compliance and Environmental Management.  

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist The Sea Ranch members in stewarding Halprin’s founding principles on their private parcels, as well as guiding The Sea Ranch Association in the management of our shared Commons
• Champion and manage resiliency planning to identify potential environmental hazards, threats and impacts, and then establish adaptation, mitigation, and recovery plans.
• Work with other senior TSRA staff and member committees, guide and manage the creation, updates, and implementation of long term strategic and operational programs such as the Fuels Management Program (FMP), Hedgerow Rehabilitation, Commons Landscape Implementation Program, Comprehensive Environmental Plan and other environmental and land-use planning related efforts.
• Supervise and work closely with the Director of Design Review to conceive, develop and implement procedures for providing professional, efficient, and thorough design review services to Association members. 
• Works with a small staff of technical professional and administration to oversee the processing of landscape modification applications and for new construction, remodels, additions, building maintenance, and refinishing proposals on private parcels and Commons.
• Monitor and engage with regional land use policies, such as the Local Coastal Plan update and newly proposed policy from the California Coastal Commission, that pertains to functioning and planning of The Sea Ranch.
• Analyze residential and community renovation, rehabilitation, restoration, and new development, land use, and vegetation management projects for their possible impact on the environment and seeks ways to mitigate those impacts in accordance with applicable environmental regulations and procedures. 
• Further develop and utilize the department’s (GIS based) Heritage Resource Survey. The Heritage Resource Survey documents baseline and current conditions of the ecology, infrastructure, development, cultural resources, and vegetation management processes on The Sea Ranch.
• Assign and coordinate the duties and responsibilities of the DCEM Department, including management of department operating budget, staff activities, and performance.
• Ensure all Department operations and functions are implemented in an effective, efficient, and timely manner.
• Monitor operations and functions to improve customer service, time management and communication for the Department. 
• Refine and implement Project Management activities, including permitting, for community development projects.
• Maintains strict standards of confidentiality regarding members’ private information and Association matters.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture, Environmental Planning, Environmental Science, Ecology, Regional Planning, or closely related field. 
• Minimum five (5) years of relevant experience in increasingly responsible professional service.
• Deep understanding of California Environmental Quality Act and California Coastal Act policies, knowledge of native California coastal flora and environmentally sensitive habitat resources is preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, strong analytical, problem-solving and conflict resolution, organizational, negotiation and strong verbal and written communication skills are necessary. 

Preferred Education and Experience

• Professional AICP or CEP and CA licensure
• Certified or licensed arborist
• Deep understanding of California Environmental Quality Act and California Coastal Act policies, knowledge of native California coastal flora and environmentally sensitive habitat resources is preferred
• Experience directly related to community development, environmental review, and strategic vegetation management
• Personnel management and supervisory experience preferred, as well as financial/budget management.
• Skilled in Geographic Information System Mapping (GIS) systems

Required Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of current principles, practices, techniques and trends of community planning and landscape architecture.
• Ability to interpret and administer applicable portions of The Sea Ranch Design Manual and Rules and other departmental and Association policies.

• General understanding of ecology, natural systems, and natural resource management
• Understand personnel management, budget and resource development, and strategic planning.
• Ability to mentor, influence, and educate others, and aid in their professional growth and development.

• Strong organizational and project management skills and the ability to prioritize activities assuring that deadlines are met.
• Team-oriented and collaborative approach with all levels of the organization
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office and PC equipment, and manual dexterity to adeptly type and use computer equipment.
• Ability to communicate in English clearly and comfortably, both verbally and in writing, at all levels of organizational structure and to perform mathematical calculations required by the responsibilities of the role.

• Ability to maintain a superior customer service orientation at all levels of TSRA

• Ability to establish, organize, prioritize, and complete a large, changing and sometimes ambiguous body of diverse tasks and responsibilities with little supervision.

• Ability to think independently while acting within the policy guidelines given, use good judgement and appropriate levels of confidentiality, discretion, tact, and diplomacy.

• Strategic and holistic thinking beyond immediate individual accountabilities to perceive and address needs above and below assigned level of authority.

• Flexible; enjoy multi-tasking while directing issues toward clarity and solutions; demonstrates resourcefulness in setting priorities.
• Represent TSRA professionally to membership, employees, the Board of Directors, and committees.
• Represent TSRA in a collaborative, professional, and organized way to local, state, and national agencies and service partners.

• Write routine reports and correspondence in an acceptable business format.
• Demonstrate personal and professional commitment to The Sea Ranch philosophy.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical requirements listed are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The ability to sit and work with hands and arms for at least eight (8) hours per day and five (5) days per week.
• Physical ability to stand, reach, lift, bend, kneel, stoop, climb, walk, crawl, push and pull items weighing up to 30 pounds.
• Move throughout multiple offices and departments across TSRA
• Consistent and reliable onsite office attendance.
• Auditory and visual skills – Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to safely drive a variety of motorized vehicles and pass the state-required vision and other tests necessary to maintain a Class-C driver’s license.

EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

This position is full-time and generally requires 40 hours per week on-site on mutually agreeable days in a manner that will ensure personal availability to department employees. Attendance at some weekend activities as required.