RFP - Central Oregon Cohesive Strategy Initiative Coordinator

SUMMARY

This is not an employee position but is a contractual independent contractor arrangement. The selected contractor must meet the IRS guidelines and qualify under Oregon law as an independent contractor. A one-year contract with Deschutes County and the selected contractor will be signed and may be renewed on an annual basis upon agreement by both parties.

The contractor will be designated to the Central Oregon Cohesive Strategy Initiative (COCSI) to perform services as Coordinator. The contractor must provide his/her own transportation as well as proof of general liability and automobile insurance. General liability coverage limits of $1,000,000/$2,000,000 and automobile limits of $500,000.  Deschutes County must be designated as an additional insured.

The contractor will provide primary program management, coordination for COCSI and will carry out the mission and goals of COCSI as stated in the position description.  The selected contractor will also maximize COCSI programs by organizing, preparing, collecting and disseminating information, developing community partnerships with businesses, organizations and agencies. The Coordinator will ensure adherence to project schedules and the annual Program of Work, write grants to secure funding and complete required status reports. The expected time commitment is roughly 150 hours per month, but could vary widely from month to month. The COCSI Steering Committee and the Deschutes County Senior Advisor provide overall direction to the Coordinator in alignment with the annual program of work.

NATURE AND SCOPE

The coordinator will work with the COCSI Steering Committee and Senior Advisor to accomplish the annual program of work.  The nature of the work will be general coordination of the program and its components. This position is the key role for the COCSI in Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook, Klamath and Lake Counties.  The Coordinator is responsible for organizing and administering communications so the public, area businesses, key stakeholders and agencies are aware of COCSI and its benefits to the community. The coordinator is frequently called upon to exercise independent judgment and decision-making. The coordinator will work with a wide variety of groups and individuals, including city and county government and elected officials, public and private agencies, local and national businesses, county agencies, service organizations, media and staff. Work may be required at times other than normal business hours.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Coordinator is responsible for the day-to-day business of the COCSI and for the facilitation and implementation of the COCSI Program of Work.  The Coordinator works closely with the Steering Committee and Senior Advisor to accomplish tasks and with COCSI stakeholders to advance the Cohesive Wildland Fire Strategy across Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook, Klamath and Lake Counties.  The Coordinator is the point of contact and network leader for the broadening network of Cohesive Strategy stakeholders in the counties and serves as the spokesperson and communications director for the COCSI. 

Duties:

• In coordination with Steering Committee, Senior Advisor and stakeholders, develop and implement an annual Program of Work for the COCSI
• Coordinate in-person and phone meetings of the COCSI Steering Committee.
• Maintain administrative activities and facilitate the day-to-day business of the COCSI.
• Attend collaborative meetings in each county that support local Cohesive Strategy implementation efforts, as appropriate. 
• Participate in the monthly meetings with the Western Region of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy.
• Create and maintain an interactive web presence for COCSI information for the Steering Committee as well as the stakeholders and public. 
• Facilitate development of Learning Laboratories to share “how-to”, experiences, guidance, success stories and lessons learned.  E.g. Quarterly meetings for stakeholders, webinars, web portal, town halls, ways for people to talk about how the Cohesive Strategy is being implemented.
• Create and maintain other communications efforts such as Facebook, Twitter, a regular eNewsletter and/or other emerging communications opportunities.
• Routine (daily) networking and relationship building with COCSI stakeholders, partners and those agencies and organizations implementing the Cohesive Strategy in the field.
• Facilitate grant research and grant writing to support the organization and activities of the COCSI and identify and develop new sources of funding for implementation of the Strategic Goals of the Cohesive Strategy in the area of COCSI.
• Document success stories/lessons learned and regularly share with stakeholders and the public.
• Facilitate development of performance measures and monitoring information to assess effectiveness and accountability of programs connected with or developed by COCSI.
• Travel for attendance and presentation at appropriate conferences and meetings.
• Coordinates with and reports to the COCSI Steering Committee and Deschutes County Senior Advisor.  

Outcomes:

While specific outcomes in each county may vary, there are broad outcomes that will be achieved because of the work of the Steering Committee and the duties of the Coordinator outlined above.  

• Communication between county-level collaboratives and projects is improved.
• Understanding is increased about what the Cohesive Strategy is, and how it can, and is being implemented.
• The COCSI is the recognized “expert” entity on the Cohesive Strategy and its implementation in Central Oregon.
• The pace and scale of Cohesive Strategy implementation by all stakeholders is improved and increased.
• Stakeholders in all five counties will understand the concept of wildland fire risk management, including risk sharing and transfer, and successful mitigation of risk, both towards the goals of landscape resiliency and fire adapted communities.
• COCSI will maximize the utilization of a Learning Laboratory environment resulting in changes in attitudes, behaviors and culture thus achieving the long-term vision of the Cohesive Strategy, “learning to live with wildland fire.”

QUALIFICATIONS

• Candidate will have demonstrated communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to interface with a variety of audiences (verbal and written).
• Must remain a neutral party capable of listening to a variety of viewpoints and be able to facilitate groups that consist of people with diverse backgrounds, but also be able to promote projects the COCSI approves.
• Grant writing and project management skills. Ability to multitask with several complex projects is a necessity.
• Demonstrated experience and ability in organizing, managing, coordinating, planning, and sequencing the activities involved in completing projects.
• Experience with one or more of the following: wildland fire, natural resource management, or working with fire-adapted communities
• Knowledge of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy.

Written proposals can be submitted to the Deschutes County Administration at 1300 NW Wall Street, Bend, Oregon 97703. Proposals can also be submitted via email to whitney.hale@deschutes.org. Proposals must be submitted no later than 12:00 pm on Monday, July 23, 2018. Proposals should include a proposed hourly rate, along with experience and qualifications and a list of past and current clients. A selection committee (COCSI Steering Committee) will review the proposals and interviews, if appropriate, will be scheduled.

For further information contact:

Deschutes County Administration
(541) 330-4640
whitney.hale@deschutes.org