We are the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority. Our mission is to conserve the natural environment, support agriculture and connect people to nature by protecting open spaces, natural areas, and working farms and ranches for future generations.

We have protected nearly 20,000 acres of natural and agricultural lands in Santa Clara County. Our agency operates a network of open space lands to manage and conserve natural resources and provide compatible opportunities for hiking, biking, and equestrian uses.

The Ideal Candidate

This position is a unique opportunity for a highly skilled and organized professional to contribute to the mission of conservation in the Santa Clara Valley. You are excited about the opportunity to be a part of the Open Space Authority – a small, vibrant and dynamic public agency with the mission to protect open space in and around the Santa Clara Valley. You are an enthusiastic and detail oriented individual that is passionate about land conservation, has a strong work ethic, and brings creativity and precision to your work.

You are a university graduate with a two to three years working experience GIS, planning, and design. You completed major coursework in natural resource management, planning, or landscape architecture and are capable of performing a variety of work in support of the Authority’s planning efforts. You bring knowledge of and experience working with regulations such as CEQA. You have excellent communication and project management skills and work effectively both independently and in team environments. You are proficient with ESRI ArcGIS software and the Adobe Creative Suite; familiar with principles of research and data collection pertaining to open space, natural resources, or landscape conservation; and you understand modern office practices, methods, and use of computer equipment and applications.

Working with planning department staff, you will support a variety of planning efforts, including GIS administration; public access planning and conceptual design; environmental planning and compliance; and graphic design and visualization of planning projects. Your typical duties may include: editing and maintaining GIS data; creating accurate and informative maps; performing site analysis and collecting field data; providing assistance and research for compliance with environmental laws and regulations; preparing reports and presentation-quality graphics; assisting with project permit preparation; and general Planning Department support. You will have opportunities to work outdoors in remote locations in steep and rugged terrain. You take great pride in your work and are passionate about conservation and protection of the environment.

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college with major coursework in natural resource management, planning, landscape architecture or related field

• Minimum of two to three years working experience in landscape architecture, park planning, or resource management

• Proficiency with ESRI software programs and Adobe Creative Suite

Salary range begins at $29.22 per hour. Salary dependent on qualifications. This is a full‐time, benefited position.

Application materials must include: Cover letter, resume, and a digital portfolio of written, graphic, and GIS work samples to showcase your technical and creative skills.

NO AGENCIES are needed in recruiting for this job.