APOSD Acquisitions Assistant

The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District (Ag + Open Space) permanently protects the diverse agricultural, natural resource, and scenic open space lands of Sonoma County for future generations. We are currently recruiting for an Acquisitions Assistant - a critical team member who will support the land conservation activities of Ag + Open Space. This is an excellent opportunity to join a mission-driven organization with a passion for protecting lands that contribute to Sonoma County's scenic beauty, local agriculture, native habitats, and recreational lands. This position is eligible for up to 60% remote work.

The Acquisitions Assistant will be part of a dynamic team working to permanently protect lands in Sonoma County that benefit healthy communities, clean water and air, diverse habitats, sustainable agriculture, and climate resiliency. They will participate in many aspects of our land conservation projects, including processing new applications from landowners interested in Ag + Open Space programs, evaluating potential projects, developing project maps using GIS and other software, and providing general support to the Acquisitions Program staff. In support of the Ag + Open Space land conservation mission, the Acquisitions Assistant will collaborate with the public, project partners, contractors, agency staff, and oversight bodies.

The District is seeking an ideal candidate who has:

• A passion for conserving natural and agricultural land for the benefit of future generations
• Experience working with public agencies and non-profit organizations in land conservation and/or real property acquisition, land use planning, and natural resource conservation
• An understanding of emerging policy issues affecting land conservation, including land use, habitat protection, water quality and quantity, sustainable agricultural and forest land management, and climate change
• Experience with GIS and related technology and systems as applied to conservation planning, open space, parks, natural resources, land use, or similar fields
• Familiarity with or interest in real estate transactions including appraisals, title work, due diligence, escrow, and closing
• Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple high-priority projects
• Strong orientation toward internal and external customer service
• Effective written and verbal communication
• A desire to pursue professional development such as coursework and professional training to develop new skills and knowledge relevant to this position/job series

Education and Experience: Any combination of education and work experience which would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed herein. Normally, this would include a Bachelor's degree, or equivalent, in real estate, environmental studies, land use, conservation, natural resource planning, agriculture, geography, ecology or a related field, and one year of experience in land conservation, natural resource protection, parks, or another similar field, with a governmental agency or non-profit that includes experience working with GIS, including system functionality and map production.

License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.

Working knowledge of: principles of research and data collection pertaining to land conservation, planning, property evaluation, and environmental issues; technical and legal issues of urban and regional planning, land use management, environmental compliance, and program management; written and oral communication including English grammar, vocabulary, mechanics, syntax, and composition; use of computer and software applications.

Knowledge of: basic principles and practices of land conservation, real estate, ecology, and land use planning; use of GIS, GPS, and related software and hardware to collect data, perform analyses, and prepare maps and reports.

Ability to: understand and interpret title reports, maps, contracts, legal descriptions, deed restrictions and other real estate documents; conduct statistical research, and analyze data pertaining to a variety of conservation and other open space matters; assimilate documents pertaining to real estate transactions; perform multiple tasks under deadlines; establish and maintain effective relationships with people encountered in the course of work; use GIS, GPS, and related software and hardware to collect data, perform analyses, and prepare maps and reports; perform analytical work carefully and accurately; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; use computers and software.

The selection procedure will consist of an application with supplemental questionnaire evaluation and interviews. Applicants should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of the application and be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions. You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position. Each application and supplemental questionnaire will be thoroughly evaluated for satisfaction of minimum qualifications and relevance of educational coursework, training, experience, and knowledge and abilities which relate to the position. Candidates possessing the most appropriate job-related qualifications will be invited to an interview.