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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 03-03-1999 - 9aI A Orange County Board of Commissioners Action Agenda Item Abstract Meeting Date: March 3, 1999 Action Agenda Item No. 9.4 Subject: New Land Resources Conservation Manager Position for the Environment and Resource Conservation Department Per December 1, 1998 BOCC Action Department: Environment and Resource Public Hearing: Yes No X Conservation and Personnel Budget Amendment Needed: Yes No X Attachment(s): 1 - Duties and Responsibilities 2 - Class Specification Information Contact: David Stancil, Environment and Resource Conservation Director, Extension 2590 Elaine Holmes, Personnel Director Extension 2550 Telephone Number: Hillsborough 732 -8181 Chapel Hill 968 -4501 Durham 688 -7331 Mebane 227 -2031 Purpose: To establish the planned new permanent full time Land Resources Conservation Manager position for the Environment and Resource Conservation Department and to amend the Orange County Classification and Pay Plan to add the new class of Land Resources Conservation Manager at Salary Grade 73 ($38,330 - $60,947). Background: At the December 1, 1998 Board of Commissioners meeting, the Board approved the creation of the new Environment and Resource Conservation Department (ERCD). It began operation on January 4. As part of the proposal to create the ERCD department, two new positions were planned: an administrative assistant and a land resource conservation manager position. At the January 19, 1999 Board of Commissioners meeting, the Board approved the Administrative Assistant position. This abstract addresses the Land Resources Conservation Manager position. Using a combination of scientific training and land acquisition experience, this position will take the lead in accomplishing the goals of the County's resource acquisition program. This program is to be developed this spring and will involve working to acquire priority areas of important natural resources well as lands for recreational and other purposes. 2 f The Land Resources Conservation Manager position will report to Environment and Resource Conservation Director David Stancil. Attachment 1 lists the planned duties and responsibilities. In summary, the position will be responsible for identifying the County's natural resources, recommending priorities for preservation efforts, developing specific strategies to conserve land and other natural resources and implementing the approved strategies and priorities, including negotiating acquisition of land and land easements. The Personnel Department has reviewed the duties and responsibilities of the Land Resources Conservation Manager position, compared the duties and responsibilities to existing County positions and conducted a market survey, although the available market data was limited. From the data available, Personnel found the average hiring range for similar positions was in the mid 30,000's to low 40,000's. Based on the position's program development and management role for the resource acquisition program and the available labor market data, it is recommended that a new class of Land Resources Conservation Manager at Salary Grade 73 be created to recognize this position. Financial Impact: As provided in the new department report, funding for the new Land Resources Conservation Manager position has been appropriated from the Board of Commissioners Contingency fund for 1998 -99. Estimated costs (including salary, benefits and startup equipment) are about $15,000 for 1998 -99 (assuming the position is filled by mid -to late April) and about $54,000 for fiscal year 1999 -00. Recommendation: The Manager recommends the Board: ❑ Establish the new permanent full time Land Resources Conservation Manager position effective March 4, 1999 and ❑ Amend the Classification and Pay Plan to add the new class of Land Resources Conservation Manager at Salary Grade 73, ($38,330 - $60,947). k:\elgin\classify\envr-res\mgrabs.doc February 23, 1999 i Attachment 1 Land Resources Conservation Manager Duties and Responsibilities Overview: Under the direction of the Environment and Resource Conservation Director, the Land Resources Conservation Manager will be responsible for identifying, prioritizing and acquiring resource lands in support of Board of County Commissioners' goals in environment and resource protection. In doing so, the Manager will use broad knowledge and expertise in the biological /environmental sciences to identify sites of importance as well as experience in the acquisition of land and land easements to negotiate the purchase of priority areas. Major duties will include the following: 1. Identification of Resources This Land Resources Conservation Manager will be the primary staff person responsible for identification of the County's natural resources. In this, the position will work with other department staff to develop and evaluate a comprehensive resource database that identifies and prioritizes the County's target preservation and acquisition efforts, using existing inventories of information and the development of new data for evaluation. The position will develop recommended priorities for resource protection and acquisition. In assessing and recommending land conservation needs and acquisition priorities, the position will apply knowledge of the biological and environmental sciences. 2. Acquisition and Stewardship of Highest Priority Natural Resources The Land Resources Conservation Manager will develop specific recommended strategies to conserve land and other natural resources. This will include obtaining appraisals and negotiating the purchase, donation or granting of easements of targeted resource properties, whether through purchase in fee - simple or interests at less- than -fee levels such as conservation easements and other agreements. This will also include negotiation of terms and development of draft agreements and contracts for acquisition. The Land Resources Conservation Manager will develop and coordinate future programs for land stewardship of properties acquired or granted through easement. This position will also work collaboratively with staff and officials of the County, Towns, school boards and Orange Water and Sewer Authority. 3. Financing and Funding This position will identify grant opportunities and will seek grant funding to augment County funds, including the development of grant applications. This position will seek to maximize available State and Federal funds to achieve the department's goals through the acquisition and management of natural resource properties. 4 Attachment 1 4. Education and Outreach The Land Resources Conservation Manager will work with the Environment and Resource Conservation Director to build partnerships with landowners, interest groups and the general public through education and outreach in support of the ERCD goals, including acquisition and maintenance of resources. S. Support to Advisory Boards and Commissions This position will provide staff support to the Commission for the Environment on a regular basis, and will be available as needed to provide assistance to other advisory boards coordinated by the ERCD, including the Water Resources Committee, Agricultural Districts Advisory Board, and the Historic Preservation Commission. On occasion, this position may also assist other advisory boards such as the Recreation and Parks Advisory Council. K:\pers\elgin\classifiy\mgrabs-2.doc February 23, 1999 5 Attachment 2 C3065 - 3/99 LAND RESOURCES CONSERVATION MANAGER GENERAL DEFINITION OF WORK: Performs difficult professional and administrative work in the conservation of Orange County's land resources by developing and implementing resource acquisition plans and programs; does related work as required. Work is performed under general supervision. TYPICAL TASKS: Develops a comprehensive resource database that identifies the County's natural resources; Develops recommended criteria for determining what resources to protect and/or acquire; Using knowledge of the biological/environmental sciences, recommends a priority list of specific resources for protection and/or acquisition and the resources the County should target; Develops strategies to conserve land and other natural resources; Develops a recommended program for systematic acquisition of land through conservation easements, fee simple purchase and other agreements; Obtains appraisals, negotiates terms for land acquisition and drafts agreements and contracts. Coordinates and administers programs to maintain stewardship of land resources acquired; Pursues grant funding, including development of grant proposals for funding of resource acquisition; Establishes relationships with landowners, interest groups and the general public through education and outreach in support of environment and resource conservation goals; Attends meetings and makes presentations for the Board of County Commissioners, Commission for the Environment, as well as other advisory boards; Performs related tasks as required. KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Thorough knowledge of land protection concepts, including legal, financial and environmental issues involved in land protection, natural resource assessment and management; thorough knowledge in identifying and prioritizing natural and cultural resources; thorough knowledge in land acquisition for resource conservation; general knowledge of research methodology and of standard statistical procedures; ability to plan organize and carry out research projects effectively; ability to prepare comprehensive plans and studies; ability to present the results of research effectively in oral, written and graphic form; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with County officials, associates, representatives of other agencies and the general public. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with major course work in biological sciences, environmental sciences, land resource management or related field and at least four years professional experience in land resource management or land conservation; including land acquisition experience.