Vacancy expired!
Join the County Administrators Office as the Russian River Ombudsperson Time Limited and grow your career with the County of Sonoma! Starting salary up to $39.21/hour ($81,835.98/year) and a cash allowance of $600/month.
Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to a competitive, total compensation package, including:
An annual Staff Development/Wellness Benefit allowance up to $1,500 and ongoing education/training opportunities
Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
County paid premium contribution to several health plan options
County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
Retirement fully integrated with Social Security
May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment
Eligibility for a salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
About Our Position
The Lower Russian River Ombudsperson assists the residents of the lower Russian River watershed (within western Sonoma County) in understanding and complying with the lower Russian River Pathogen Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), by providing information, identifying appropriate tools and technologies, and acting as an impartial intermediary between residents and the agencies implementing the TMDL and who make up the Interagency Team (IT) (North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, Permit Sonoma, Sonoma County Administrator's Office, and 5th District Supervisor Lynda Hopkins).
As the Ombudsperson you will be a non-regulatory, informational resource to the lower Russian River community regarding the TMDL pathogen reduction requirements, assisting landowners and residents to identify options for effectively managing Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS, e.g. septic systems), as well as working with the landowners, the Lower Russian River Community Advisory Group (LRRCAG), livestock facility operator, and homeless task forces as needed. Typical duties include:
Participating in, or convening, if needed, meetings of an Interagency Committee and the Citizen Advisory Group to coordinate efforts and foster collaboration and feedback from community members
Hosting public meetings and/or informational workshops to share information regarding OWTS requirements, status, and options
Maintaining knowledge of County OWTS policy and TMDL requirements, status of implementation, and options for OWTS owners
Developing and disseminating clear, succinct informational materials, in consultation with implementing agencies, to communicate requirements, status, and options to OWTS owners
Holding "office hours" to meet with residents, individually, to discuss unique circumstances and provide confidential assistance on options and next steps
Facilitating communication with implementing agency(ies), assisting in grant applications, onsite visits, and provide anonymous feedback and suggestions regarding the implementation program
Participating in community events
Maintaining email list(s) of residents interested in TMDL implementation efforts and sharing periodic updates
Contributing to a "toolbox" (web-based platform) by creating website content for public education, to include important contacts, past studies, available technologies, easy-to-understand breakdown of regulatory requirements, and resident-friendly evaluation tools for OWTS
Staying apprised of grant opportunities relevant to assisting residents in compliance with TMDL requirements
Reporting periodically to the County on the efforts and outcomes
What you Bring to the Team
The ideal candidate to become our Ombudsperson will demonstrate empathy, enthusiasm, and possess:
Extraordinary interpersonal skills, tact, courtesy, and poise
Familiarity with the draft Russian River TMDL and APMP
Technical expertise and familiarity with Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems
Strong ability to communicate verbally and in writing
The ability to create instructional, effecting, and engaging web content
Experience in outreach and community engagement
Experience researching grants
Experience interpreting and understanding regulatory rules and requirements
The ability to take initiative, and exercise independent judgment
Experience in the area of natural resource management
Basic proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel
Salary is negotiable and benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. For more information & to apply online, please visit Vacancy expired!