Natural Resources Planning Manager (Program Manager III) - City of Salem, OR

The City of Salem is seeking a highly motivated leader with expertise in natural resources management and environmental planning for a full-time position as the Natural Resources Planning Manager for the Public Works Department. 

Make an impact:
 Ours is a highly dynamic work environment and you will be part of a cohesive, highly talented team of dedicated individuals. If you are seeking a multi-disciplined position that can use your current skillset now and expand your professional repertoire over time, look no further than Salem Public Works.
 
Learn and grow:
Be part of an organization the provides a family-friendly work environment with excellent family-work balance. With competitive pay, outstanding benefits, flexible remote work policies, and opportunities to develop and expand your skills, the City of Salem is a great place to work.
 
What you will do:
The Environmental Planning Manager will be involved in a wide ranging variety of programs and projects, working both independently and collaboratively under the general supervision of the Assistant Public Works Director. As a member of a diverse and highly talented team, the individual will work closely with other City staff, Mayor and City Council, boards and commissions, state and federal agencies, consultants and contractors, volunteers, community organizations, and the public at large.
 
Additional job duties and responsibilities
Generally, the Environmental Planning Manager will lead the City’s work related to natural resources and environmental protection, enhancements, regulations, and stewardship. Among the many job duties and responsibilities:
 

• Set goals, establish priorities, implement actions, and solve problems.
• Build relationships across organizational and cultural lines.
• Represent the City of Salem in complex discussions with local, state, and federal agencies on matters related to environmental permits, regulatory compliance, and multiagency programs and other initiatives.
• Coordinate with partner agencies and organizations, including representatives of state and federal agencies and the Tribal Nations.
• Engage with subject matter experts, conduct research, analyze data, draw insights, and prepare reports.
• Manage the work of teams, consultant firms, and contracted service providers.
• Participate in broad community engagement, including interacting with neighborhood groups, nonprofit organizations, the business community, and environmental advocacy groups.
• Respond to public inquiries, particularly those related to how the natural environment and built environment intersect.

What can we offer you for all your hard work?

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
• Paid vacation and sick time in accordance with City policies.
• Competitive pay.
• Employer-paid PERS (Public Employees Retirement System) contribution of 6%.
• Opportunity for voluntary pre-tax contributions to a 457b account.
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• Voluntary long-term care.
• Employee wellness program.
• Employee assistance program.
• Employee health clinic.
• Opportunities to attend workshops, seminars, and conferences.
• Position schedule is flexible. Normal working hours are Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. With manager approval, members of our team can follow a hybrid schedule on Mondays and/or Fridays.
  

The City of Salem offers a comprehensive and equitable base salary within the listed range based on your experience, skills, and education. We encourage you to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications and essential attributes in your application materials. Learn more about Equal Pay.

What are the minimum qualifications?

• Must pass the pre-employment background check.
• Must have an Oregon Driver license and a driving record that meets the City of Salem's driving standards.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in business or public administration, emergency management, engineering, human resources, finance or accounting, journalism or communications, urban and regional planning, or a related field, and five years of experience in a related field, including two years of progressive work experience in public sector or a related field preferred, or any combination of education, experience, and training that demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities as listed, and ability to perform the essential job functions.
• Master's degree in a related field preferred, and may substitute for two of the five years of work experience required.
• Depending on the area of assignment, certifications or licenses may be required or preferred (and maintained throughout employment). 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience developing and managing plans and projects involving natural resources. 
• Experience conducting public engagement and outreach activities. 
• Experience working with external stakeholders, such as local, state, and federal regulators; business interests; developers; nonprofit organizations; and special interest groups.
• Experience working with consultant firms and/or contracted service providers, including writing proposals, approving scopes of work, and managing contracts.
• Experience preparing applications for competitive grants and/or managing grant agreements.
• Excellent communications skills, with an emphasis on clear, concise, and cohesive writing.
• Knowledge and experience in Oregon Revised Statutes and Oregon Administrative Rules related to environmental protection, permitting, and land use.
• Master’s degree in a related field.
• Bilingual skills in Spanish.

What you will bring along:

• The desire to be part of a highly talented team responsible for a wide range of programs and projects
• An enjoyment of learning new concepts, and of building excellent working relationships.

 About us:
The City of Salem is the second largest City in the State of Oregon. Located in the lush Willamette Valley, Salem is the capital city of Oregon with a population over 170,000. Centrally located, Salem is 47 miles south of Portland and an hour from the Cascade Mountains to the east and an hour from the ocean beaches to the west. Salem is an exceptional community for living and working with exciting new and comfortable well-established neighborhoods and carefully preserved historic buildings.

A full-service City, Salem has eight primary departments:
 Community Services, Finance, Fire, Enterprise Services, Legal, Police, Public Works, and Community Planning and Development. Several departments also have functional divisions within their department. The City has five labor unions and employs roughly 1,350 talented and dedicated staff members.
 
The Public Works Department values employees and their professional development.  If you are someone that takes pride in collaborating on innovative ideas, proactively responding to community needs, and being a good environmental and financial steward, we look forward to meeting you! The Public Works Department promotes a healthy work life balance, while maintaining the utmost dedication to the health, safety, and welfare of our community, including our team! 
 
The Urban Renewal Agency and the Salem Housing Authority are separate municipal corporations. The Agency contracts with the City for services and the Authority is led by the Housing Administrator within the Urban Development department.
 
Where can I find out more about the position?
 
Go to the menu option for Class Specifications and search for Program Manager III or view by clicking here.
 
How can I apply?
 
The City of Salem invites individuals of all diverse communities and backgrounds to apply for our available job opportunities as we strive to provide the best service to everyone. The City of Salem is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all and has a culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe that by welcoming differences, encouraging new ideas and views, listening to, and learning from each other, we are better able to serve the community.
 
To apply, click on the green “Apply” button to complete your application.
 
Applicants that meet the minimum qualifications as outlined above but not selected for this position may be placed on an eligibility list, and candidates may be hired from the list. Eligibility lists are valid for six months. The City will send email notifications to eligible candidates about potential hiring opportunities so please ensure your email settings accept our system generated email notifications.
 
You may subscribe for automatic notification of job openings at the City of Salem through the Job Interest Cards – sign up today!
 
For more information about employment at the City of Salem, please visit our website at www.cityofsalem.net/jobs.