Vegetation Specialist

 

Are you an environmental professional passionate about native landscapes and healthy ecosystems? Want to help community members navigate the challenges of fire resilient landscaping, while guiding education on environmental best practice?

 

Consider this unique opportunity to implement the vision of an environmentally minded community, where ecological stewardship and iconic housing 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: Vegetation Specialist

Department: Environmental Planning + Design

Classification: Temporary, Part time, non-exempt, hybrid/onsite in The Sea Ranch, CA

Reports To: Environmental Manager

Contacts: Association Members and TSRA Staff

Compensation: $26.64 – $35.78 hourly

 

Role Summary: The Sea Ranch is a unique intentional community in its 60th year, guided by a commitment to environmental design, inspired by Lawrence Halprin’s principles for harmonious coexistence between humans and the natural world. Homeowners own private parcels and are stakeholders in the shared “commons” between them and steward these lands collectively. Fences are limited, only native species are planted, power lines are underground, and architecture is meant to blend into the landscape - supporting freedom of movement for wildlife in over 2200 connected acres of collaboratively managed land. Homeowners and design review staff strive to manage private property vegetation in congruence with each parcel’s surrounding habitats, populations, and governing regulations.

 

This critical role supports the consistent implementation of this unique vision, by reviewing vegetation related applications to ensure alignment with the community’s founding principles and design standards, while meeting the needs of existing and evolving regional regulations. The Vegetation Specialist reviews and processes landscape design and tree removal requests on private lots and shared commons, coordinates and conducts site visits and inspections, acquires data in the field, facilitates education on standards and codes, and communicates professionally with homeowners through the outcome of their requests. Join our team, and help us steward our continuity, our commons and our community.

 

The Position

  • Reviews and responds to applications for landscape and vegetation additions, modifications or removals.
  • Conducts required field inspections, verifies vegetation and landscaping conformance with approved plans and records progress.
  • Provides information to owners, architects and contractors and other agents regarding policies, procedures, and application requirements for development activities with a special focus on vegetation management and landscape design issues for property development at The Sea Ranch.
  • As needed, in coordination with other department staff, works with owners, architects, contractors and other agents to investigate and resolve landscape/vegetation/environmental violations; initiates appropriate action subject to TSRA’s CC&R Enforcement Policy and Procedure (Rule 2.3).
  • Meets with Association members, design professionals, contractors, agents, etc. to facilitate the design review process and provide guidance on appropriate landscaping concepts at The Sea Ranch.
  • Visually surveys general community development for conformance to TSRA and Design Committee policies pertaining to vegetation and landscape matters.
  • Provides consultation on vegetation, landscape design and regulatory compliance issues to the Design Committee on proposals for development or alteration.
  • Works with the Environmental Manager to ensure cohesion between commons and private parcel vegetation, enforcing threatened species protections and encouraging habitat connectivity and increased native biodiversity.

 

Qualifications

  • Significant educational experience in Forestry, Ecology, Biology, Conservation, Resource Management, Landscape Architecture, Environmental Design, or a closely related field.
  • Familiarity with the native ecosystems, species and ecological challenges of the Northern California Coast, especially Sonoma or Mendocino County, is ideal.
  • Professional design review, community organizing, client servicing, permitting, or compliance experience is preferred.
  • Ability to read and interpret construction documentation, landscape plans, administrative and regulatory procedures and material specifications, and drafting skills to communicate design ideas and solutions to design problems.
  • Knowledge of current principles, practices, techniques and trends of landscape architecture and environmental design; familiarity with contemporary and emergent environmental best management practices and ecologically responsible landscape practices.
  • Ability to prepare clear and concise reports and letters; ability to clearly communicate verbally, graphically and written format and make presentations regarding design matters; demonstrates discretion in respect to privacy and handling of confidential information.
  • Experience and ease with common office suites, collaboration tools, project management software, customer relationship management software and design software; GIS familiarity, data analysis skillset and data visualization capabilities are a plus.
  • Ability to interface professionally and productively with community members and establish and maintain strong working relationships with design professionals, TSRA department staff and Board members, Association members and their agents. 

 

Why You Should Apply:

  • Continuing Education Opportunities
  • Access to facilities, trails, and other member benefits

 

How to Apply

 

Qualified candidates, please submit your resume and rate requests to Rebekah Barakos-Cartwright, TSRA HR Generalist, at rbarakos@tsra.org.

 

We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome diversity in the workplace.