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BARC Program Assistant, Local Government Services/Bay Area Regional Collaborative - Oakland, CA

BARC Program Assistant 

Local Government Services/Bay Area Regional Collaborative

Experience: 
1-3 years
Location: 
OaklandCA
Position:              Program Assistant
Location:             Bay Area Regional Collaborative, Oakland, CA (relocating eventually to San Francisco, CA)
Salary:                  $25 - $35 hourly DOQ, plus attractive benefits package
Apply By:             5:00pm PST, Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Description:
The Bay Area Regional Collaborative (BARC) is seeking an organized, creative and collaborative-minded person to serve as Program Assistant.  Working for Local Government Services, and assigned to BARC, this new position will work closely with the BARC Executive Director to help execute the ambitious work plan of BARC and its member agencies to advance regional efforts related to climate mitigation and adaptation, as well as other issues of regional significance that call for greater coordination among the regional agencies and other stakeholders.
This position is an exciting and unique opportunity to work closely with leadership from the Bay Area’s four regional agencies – including the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD), the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC), and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) – in helping to identify ways in which the agencies can coordinate their efforts more productively to achieve important goals related to climate mitigation and adaptation as well as other important regional issues.
Typical responsibilities consist of:
  • Serve as a technical resource. Assist with and/or administer and coordinate specific projects; help develop, implement and maintain goals, objectives, policies and priorities for assigned projects and service areas; attend and participate in professional and community meetings; and stay current on related issues.
  • Interact with government officials, Committee representatives from business, non-profit, academic, philanthropic, and community organizations, and all levels of personnel; attend Committee meetings as may be necessary.
  • Compose and/or process a variety of letters, reports, memos, agenda items, packets, resolutions, policies, presentations and other documents; compile and maintain records and prepare statistical reports.
  • Assist in conducting and preparing planning-related statistical research and analysis; compile and check data; create tables, charts and other presentation materials.
  • Provide varied, complex and confidential administrative assistance to the Executive Director and as required to the Governing Board and other BARC member agency leadership; provide information regarding agency functions, policies and procedures to the public and other staff.
  • Manage phone calls, emails, communications, and meetings, refer inquiries appropriately; respond to complaints and requests as appropriate; respond to inquiries that often requires the use of independent judgment and the understanding of policies and procedures.
  • Maintain calendars, meeting and travel plans; schedule, plan, coordinate and administer meetings; coordinate, organize and maintain various records, files, manuals and resource materials; prioritize, distribute and process incoming and outgoing communications of all types; arrange meetings, and conferences; and facilitate communications.
  • Manage the collection, routing, approval and compilation of committee materials and packets; handle the proper distribution and posting of materials and packets; and compose and distribute minutes as appropriate.
  • Assist with updating and managing BARC website.
  • Evaluate and recommend tools for using social media effectively to advance work plan.
  • Establish and maintain positive and respectful working relationships with those contacted during the course of work.
  • Assisting with other initiatives as directed by the Executive Director.
The Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, in an appropriate discipline such as: community development; public policy, environmental, regional, urban or transportation planning, or a related discipline. Preference will be given to those with a Master’s degree.
Completion of a minimum of two years of experience in an appropriate field related to the area of assignment, and familiarity with local and regional policies and politics in the San Francisco bay area.  One year of graduate work in a discipline directly related to the position may be substituted for the required experience.  Additional professional work experience is desirable.    
Knowledge of:  Principles and techniques of regional transportation and environmental planning, engineering, or related knowledge areas. Have working knowledge and skills related to analytic techniques and tools, survey and data methodologies, and research and writing.
Ability to:  Communicate very effectively both orally and in writing.  Pay attention to detail and ensure accuracy in all work products.  Represent the BARC in a professional setting. Work effectively with others and as part of a team. Manage policy relationships between and among agencies that have different functions.  Knowledge of Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel needed for this position.  Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational and interpersonal skills. Demonstrated ability to both understand complex policy issues and to integrate policy analysis into policy objectives and work plans. Conceptualize, organize, schedule and manage projects. Take personal initiative, and use sound judgment within established guidelines.  Demonstrated ability and strength to work directly with elected officials, executives, senior managers and policy staff.  Anticipate and adjust for problems and roadblocks.  Organize and prioritize multiple tasks and respond flexibly to changing demands.
Benefits and Compensation:
The salary for this position is $25.00—$35.00 per hour (Salary is dependent upon qualifications).  Local Government Services offers an attractive benefits package including:
Insurance – Employer-paid premiums up to a certain limit for medical, dental, vision, as well as life insurance at one times annual salary.
Retirement Plan – LGS is subject to California Pension Reform and has two pension plans. The plan employees will receive will be based on the individual's historical pension plan membership: either the 2@55 plan or the 2@62 plan as required by law.
Leaves – Vacation, sick leave, and administrative leave:
  • Vacation of 12 days/year.
  • Holidays of 10 days/year.
  • Sick leave of 6 days/year accrued.
  • Administrative leave of 1 day/year.
Other benefits include: A transportation stipend.
The Program Assistant will working for Local Government Services, a Joint Powers Agency, and assigned to the Bay Area Regional Collaborative (BARC), based in Oakland, California.  Please note that the location for employment will change to San Francisco, CA when the BARC member agencies move into a building together.
To Apply:
If you are interested in this outstanding opportunity, please submit an online application via CalOpps at https://www.calopps.org/profile_agency.cfm?id=74 by 5:00 p.m. PST on Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Following the closing date, resumes will be screened according to the qualifications outlined in this brochure. The most qualified candidates will be invited to an interview.  A select group of candidates will be asked to provide references once it is anticipated that they may be finalists.  A background check to verify information supplied in the application materials will be conducted following candidate notification.  For questions, please do not hesitate to call 650-587-7313 or email roppenheim@rgs.ca.gov.
About BARC
Under California statute (CA Code Section 66536.1), the Bay Area Regional Collaborative (BARC), also known as the Joint Policy Committee (JPC), is a consortium of member agencies that come together to address crosscutting issues of regional significance, with the ultimate goal of improving the quality of life for all Bay Area residents. The BARC provides a mechanism through which its member agencies can learn, explore, collaborate, incubate, coordinate, and communicate policies and best practices that agency leadership can decide to advance collectively and singularly.  The BARC is made up of a Governing Board of member agency commission/board representatives, an Executive Directors Group, and other staff cross-agency work teams.  For more information go to http://www.abag.ca.gov/jointpolicy/