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Employment Opportunities

Position Announcement
Morris K. Udall Foundation
U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution

The U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution (U.S. Institute) is a program of the Morris K. Udall Foundation, a federal agency dedicated to continuing the legacy of the late Congressman Udall in consensus-building, environmental policy and Native American affairs. The U.S. Institute was created by Congress as an impartial, non-partisan service organization to assist in resolving environmental, natural resources, and public lands conflicts involving the federal government. It is located in Tucson, Arizona, and works nationally in a variety of program areas, drawing on its national roster of qualified environmental mediators and facilitators. The U.S. Institute is funded by a combination of appropriations and revenues generated by its services. See www.ecr.gov for more information on the Institute.

The U.S. Institute seeks one or more experienced and entrepreneurial individual(s) for a position on the program staff. The successful applicant will join the staff in managing environmental conflict resolution (ECR) projects where contracted neutrals are the primary service providers. S/he may also provide direct mediation and/or facilitation services. The U.S. Institute will consider applicants for three types of positions: Program Associate, Program Manager and Senior Program Manager.

POSITION DESCRIPTIONS

The primary duty of all program staff is to develop and manage cases and projects from initiation through evaluation. Institute staff perform a variety of ECR case services: convening, conflict assessment and process design, and managing the provision of services (whether in-house or through a subcontractor). Program staff also conduct or support outreach and training activities, and provide facilitation and mediation services.

The successful candidate(s) will join a current Tucson based team of four Senior Program Managers, two Program Managers, five Program Associates/Coordinators and a total Institute staff of 24. Program staff report to the Institute’s Director of Operations, who oversees administration, operations, and the performance of staff and programs. Program Staff also consult and work with the Foundation’s Deputy Executive Director for ECR on cases and projects, sector development, and other program initiatives. Program staff members belong to one or more issue area teams. Program staff contribute to institutional initiatives like strategic planning, training, new technologies, evaluation, and national ECR policy issues.

The amount of travel required varies depending on the position, the caseload and, to a lesser extent, individual preferences. Availability to travel is a requirement of all program staff.

Program Associate

Program Associates support Senior Program or Program Managers on teams. Each team focuses on one or more program or issue areas. Program Associates work with Program Managers to maintain ongoing institutional relationships with stakeholders and federal agencies, develop and implement strategies for outreach to potential users of ECR services, and identify situations where ECR is likely to provide benefit. At times, Program Associates may assist the Program Manager with meeting facilitation and/or training services. Program Associates have primary responsibility for case financial tracking, preparing contracts, reviewing contractor invoices, coordinating meeting logistics, maintaining project files, documenting case outcomes and maintaining project websites.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

1. Support the team in initial case intake, management of data in the internal "Program Management Database," materials production, representing the agency at conference exhibit booths, and other duties as assigned.
2. Support the Program Manager in case services such screening, consultation, convening of parties, selection of neutrals, conflict assessment, training, facilitation and/or mediation, case management, and evaluation.
3. Help the team to maintain a case load that generates revenue to support contracted work and a portion of the U.S. Institute's operating budget. Maintain productive working relationships with contractors and stakeholders involved in the teams cases and projects.
4. Work collaboratively with other program staff and Foundation management to develop and implement U.S. Institute policies, projects and programs.

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Program Manager

Program Managers work with a staff team to develop one or more program or issue areas and maintain ongoing institutional relationships with related stakeholders and federal agencies. Responsibilities include outreach to potential users of ECR services, identification of situations where ECR is likely to provide benefit, managing a caseload, and generating income from projects. Program Managers may also provide direct facilitation, mediation and/or training services as appropriate to the situation. Program Managers have a Senior Program Manager as a mentor, working closely with him or her on case-related decision making.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provide environmental conflict resolution (ECR) services, including intake, screening, case consultation, convening of parties, managing neutral selection processes, conflict assessment (often in partnership with independent neutrals), case management, facilitation/mediation and evaluation. Use best practices and provide high quality service at all times.
2. Promote ECR generally and in selected issue areas. Develop productive relationships with stakeholders working in the issue area. Develop and successfully manage a case load of ECR projects. With the help of the team, build and maintain a case load that generates revenue to support contracted work and a portion of the Institute’s operating budget.
3. Work collaboratively with other program staff and Foundation management to develop and implement U.S. Institute policies, projects, and programs.

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Senior Program Manager

Senior Program Managers lead the staff team and have primary responsibility for developing programs or issue areas and maintaining ongoing institutional relationships with stakeholders and federal agencies. Responsibilities include outreach to potential users of ECR services, identification of situations where ECR is likely to provide benefit, and generation of project revenues. Senior Program Managers also provide direct facilitation, mediation and/or training services as appropriate to the situation. Senior Program Managers mentor Program Managers, Program Associates, and other team members.

Major Duties And Responsibilities

1. Provide environmental conflict resolution (ECR) services, including intake, screening, case consultation, convening of parties, managing neutral selection processes, conflict assessment (often in partnership with independent neutrals), case management, facilitation/mediation and evaluation. Assure the use of best practices and provision of high quality service by all team members.
2. Promote ECR generally and in selected issue areas. Develop productive relationships with stakeholders working in the issue area. Develop and successfully manage a case load of ECR projects. With the help of the team, build and maintain a case load which generates revenue to support contracted work and a portion of the U.S. Institute's operating budget.
3. Work collaboratively with other program staff and Foundation management to develop and implement U.S. Institute policies, projects and programs. Mentor other staff.

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EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS	Program Associate	Program Manager	Senior Program Manager
1. Experience in conflict resolution, conflict management, or public involvement processes.	At least one year experience	At least 4 years experience	At least 8 years experience
2. Educational background (graduate or law degree) and current knowledge in environmental, natural resources or land use law, science, policy, or management	or an additional 2 years ECR experience	or an additional 2 years ECR experience	required
3. Work experience in federal, state, regional, tribal, or local government, or in the private sector dealing with public policy matters and public institutions.	preferred	preferred	required
4. Experience as a project manager and team leader responsible for developing or managing programs or large projects.	not required	required	required
5. Demonstrated flexibility and ability to work independently, while also capable of working collaboratively with a team to develop and carry out an overall program.	required	required	required
6. Demonstrated competence in the numerous skills required of facilitators and mediators in multi-party, public sector disputes.	preferred	required	required
7. Demonstrated excellence in communication skills, including writing, conversing, and public speaking.	required	required	required
8. Experience working with federal agencies (as a neutral or in a collaborative problem-solving capacity).	preferred	preferred	required
9. Experience in fee-for-service, fund raising, or other revenue-generating positions.	preferred	preferred	required
10. ECR or dispute resolution training experience	preferred	preferred	preferred

POSITION LOCATION

All positions are located in the offices of the U. S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution in Tucson, Arizona. Tucson is a growing metropolis of 1,000,000 people in the heart of the beautiful Sonoran desert. Arizona provides magnificent opportunities for a wide variety of outdoor recreation activities.

SALARY RANGES:

• Program Associate $35,000 to $50,000
• Program Manager $50,000 to $75,000
• Senior Program Manager $75,000 to $100,000

Where the successful candidate's salary falls within the stated range for a position depends on experience and qualifications. The successful candidate will become a federal employee, eligible for federal benefits such as retirement plan and health benefits. This position is an excepted service position. Relocation expenses may be paid.

BENEFITS:

You may participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program, with costs shared with your employer. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#FEHB.

Life insurance coverage is provided. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#life

Long-Term Care Insurance is offered and carries into your retirement. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#ltci

New employees are automatically covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). If you are transferring from another agency and covered by CSRS, you may continue in this program. You will be covered by a Basic Benefit Plan, Social Security (FICA) and a voluntary 401-k style Thrift Saving Plan (TSP). TSP allows you to make tax deferred contributions and receive matching agency funds for part of it. For additional information on TSP, see http://www.tsp.gov/. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#retr

You will earn annual vacation leave. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#retr

You will earn sick leave. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#SKLV

You will be paid for federal holidays that fall within your regularly scheduled tour of duty. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#HOLI If you use public transportation, part of your transportation costs may be subsidized.

APPLICANT INSTRUCTIONS

Please submit the following:

A resume that includes (at a minimum) complete contact information, a chronological employment summary (including your title, name and location of employer and dates of employment), educational and other credentials, and country of citizenship.

A cover letter referencing the position(s) you are applying for and describing your interest in this position, your availability and salary requirements.

A description of specifically how you meet each of the experience requirements.

Three references with addresses and phone numbers, to:

Lynne Gillette, Director of Operations
U. S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution
130 S. Scott Ave.
Tucson, AZ 85701
email: gillette@ecr.gov
fax: 520-901-8541

Applications will be accepted until September 21st, 2008

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The U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution of the Morris K. Udall Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

ALL QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONSIDERED REGARDLESS OF POLITICAL AFFILIATION, RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, MARITAL STATUS, AGE, DISABILITY, OR OTHER NON-MERIT FACTORS.

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ECR Leadership Exchange Program

The U.S. Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution (U.S. Institute) offers selected federal employees the opportunity to gain experience in addressing challenging environmental issues through environmental conflict resolution tools and processes that can lead to improved environmental decision making at their home agency. The U.S. Institute is part of the Morris K. Udall Foundation, an independent federal agency. The Environmental Conflict Resolution (ECR) Leadership Exchange Program offers individuals at the GS 13 to GS 15 level the opportunity to join the U.S. Institute at its headquarters in Tucson, AZ. Participants will complete a detail assignment of three to six months and spend up to one year in direct affiliation with the U.S. Institute focused on ECR issues, policies and their assessment.

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2008-09 USIECR Internship Announcement

The Institute is pleased to offer the Environmental Conflict Resolution (ECR) Internship program. This internship offers an exciting opportunity for Udall Scholars and Congressional Interns who have completed college or are in graduate school to spend three to six months in Tucson, AZ with our staff of ECR professionals. It is a chance to gain firsthand exposure to the practice of environmental conflict resolution. The U.S. Institute's internship is designed for former Udall Scholars and Congressional Interns to work closely with Institute staff on selected work assignments. Interns will contribute to an array of projects related to ECR cases, outreach and/or evaluation. All interested current or former Udall Scholars and Congressional Interns are encouraged to apply. We are looking for Udall Alumni with a strong interest in ECR and related academic or professional experience. The successful candidate will be paid a stipend of $500 per week. Living and other expenses will be the responsibility of the participant.

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