Sr. Program Specialist - Landscape Installation

SUMMARY OF POSITION

This position will work closely with Ecology Action's Water Programs Director, Climate Corp interns, external workforce development partners and water utilities to convert 60,000 sq ft of non-functional turfgrass to Climate Victory Gardens at high visibility locations within the Cities of Salinas, King City, and Marina California. The Climate Victory Garden direct installation program offers project design and direct-installation construction management services to help residents, non-profit organizations, and public agencies in Salinas Valley convert lawns to low-water use, Monterey Bay-Friendly landscapes. A minimum of 75% of projects will be located in low-income communities. Projects serve as examples to educate and inspire the community to apply for rebates that support climate-appropriate landscape conversions that create beauty, enhance watershed functions, and reduce GHG emissions. The program makes landscape conversion more affordable by providing no-cost design services and leveraging existing lawn conversion rebates from local water utilities and offering grant-funded rebates for projects that integrate rain gardens and laundry-to-landscape greywater reuse.

Work will be performed outdoors at selected project construction sites within the Salinas Valley, with indoor virtual (zoom) and/or in-person meetings at Ecology Action's headquarters in Santa Cruz, CA. The employee will work a full-time schedule, managing relationships with multiple subcontractors.

This position is funded through December 31, 2025

SUMMARY OF POSITION & RESPONSIBILITIES

Landscape Design

• Use AutoCAD software to prepare planting plans and irrigation plans
• Obtain approval for landscape designs from clients and local rebate agencies

Landscape Construction

Assign residential and commercial projects to direct installation contractors. Coordinate with public agencies and CA Conservation Corps to implement on-site landscape construction activities, ensuring safety and quality control on the job site. Assist clients with submitting rebate applications.

More specific landscape construction project tasks include:

• Landscape Conversions - Replacement of irrigated turf with low-water use plants and drip irrigation:
• Contacting 811 to locate underground utilities before installation begins
• Delivering project materials and equipment to the project work site using your own vehicle or a company vehicle.
• Soil grading and hardscape edging with shovels and gas-powered equipment.
• Spraying head capping and riser conversion to drip irrigation system with sediment filtration and pressure regulation.
• Physical turf removal and/or cardboard application for sheet mulching.
• Wood chip mulch and compost application.
• Installation of 1 and 5-gallon plants according to approved planting plans.
• Installation of in-line drip irrigation to new plantings. Pressure testing to ensure all irrigation system pipe and drip tubing connections are leak-free.
• Reprogramming of existing irrigation controllers with weather-based schedules.
• Stormwater Redirection to Bioretention Areas:
• Downspout modification and adaptation to PVC drainage pipe.
• Installation of rain barrel(s), purchased by Program Participant(s)
• Installation of PVC drainage pipe or other drainage channel material from downspout or rain barrel at 2% slope toward bioretention area.
• Construction of stormwater infiltration areas according to approved site plans.
• Installation of plants according to approved planting plans.
• Laundry to Landscape Graywater Irrigation Systems:
• Installation of laundry-to-landscape graywater system in accordance with the California Plumbing Code (CPC) and other local regulations.

Program Administration

• Administer the Greater Monterey County IRWM grant subcontract ensuring timely contract execution, ongoing budget maintenance (including invoicing and match tracking), funder and subcontractor communication, and staff planning, in addition to ensuring all program delivery requirements are met on time.
• Oversee Climate Corps interns which may be distributed geographically. Ensure all staff have the material resources, affective support and a clear understanding of expectations to succeed in their roles. Conduct 1:1 and all-team meetings. Provide direction and guidance related to program operations.
• In collaboration with the Program Manager and CP Budget & Operations Analyst, develop and revise annual team staffing plans and budgets, based on secured and projected funding.
• Lead communication for external partners involved in projects including funders, project collaborators, subcontractors, stakeholders, community members and the media. Actively solicit and maintain professionally strategic relationships.
• Work with marketing department and program manager to develop a marketing strategy for all initiatives within the program. Ensure program team works within pre-determined brand guidelines, and collaboration protocols and timelines. Work with program manager to schedule and facilitate launch meetings for marketing initiatives.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Landscape design, installation and/or maintenance experience (5+ years)
• Green Gardener, QWEL, or community college level courses in ecological landscaping.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of contract administration and management
• Ability to work in a team environment as well as independently.
• You are confident and enjoy initiating communications with others.
• Strong time management skills.
• Detail oriented regarding data and tracking systems.
• Physical ability to work outdoors in all seasons of the year and lift/carry up to 50 pounds.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• C-27 contractor's license
• Ability to read and produce landscape planting and irrigation blueprints.
• 2+ years of field experience with lawn removal, sheet mulching, spray to drip irrigation conversions.
• 1+ years of field experience with alternate water systems (rainwater/greywater)
• Experience driving a vehicle with a tow-behind equipment trailer, often independently.
• Bilingual English-Spanish speaker
• Experience supervising / managing staff

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hand-tools, sit, stand, kneel, talk, and hear, and use a computer keyboard and monitor. The employee must frequently lift and/or move more than 50 pounds.

The work environment is primarily an outdoor setting at residential, commercial, and institutional properties within the Salinas Valley. The employee will be exposed to odors and dust from landscape construction activities.