Native Plant Stewardship Program Coordinator

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION CONTENTS:

Please provide a proposal explaining your business qualifications and capacity to complete this work (not to exceed four pages) with a special focus on adult learning, urban restoration, long-term volunteer retention / engagement, event organization and promotion. Please clearly explain your readiness / capacity to do this work with the timeline included in this RFP. Cite three professional references, as identified in ‘Qualifications’.

BACKGROUND:

Engage with residents and adjacent landowners in public open space stewardship by launching and implementing a community-based stewardship program that trains, places, and supports stewards into priority restoration sites as jointly identified by City of Spokane and WNPS, not to exceed 5 acres in total, including coordination of community volunteer events at each site. The work at the sites will have specific restoration outcomes, while also serving as a learning laboratory for new stewards to practice and learn restoration at a scale that is realistic to their volunteer commitment.

Restoration and Community Engagement Outcomes:

Work completed at all sites will be completed by a team of 4-5 stewards and be supported by the WNPS Native Plant Steward Coordinator (Coordinator) and will include:

• Site preparation and restoration activities including plant installation;
• Educate local community members and groups about site’s existence, value to the community and opportunities to volunteer;
• Conduct on-going maintenance, including mulching, for a period of 18 months after training is completed;
• Sites will have restoration needs that extend beyond weed control, so that stewards can practice the techniques outlined above that will be useful in their future stewardship efforts.

Fee Schedule and Communications with WNPS:

Monthly telephone or face-to-face meetings will be scheduled between the consultant and the Program Manager to plan and coordinate work. These meetings will take place at mutually convenient times.

The following is the fee schedule for implementing the Program. Fees will apply monthly upon completion of the work and verification by the Program Manager. Compensation for this scope of work shall not exceed $16,130. Payments will be made upon completion of deliverables and documentation in an approved report. The fees include all costs including (but not limited to) print materials, transportation, and refreshments.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

• Utilize effective organization skills to develop curriculum, using WNPS Native Plant Stewardship general formatting, to meet learning objectives as well as facilitating all sessions and providing support materials (note that the training will be held weeknights October through November with field trips on weekends);
• Familiarity with community restoration and education projects
• Provide environment and support that cultivates leadership of adult learners and volunteers;
• Assist steward teams with event promotion and coordination, as well as recruiting a class of 20 – 26 Native Plant Stewards;
• Demonstrate effectiveness in conducting event promotion, including developing outreach and publicity materials (social media, public service announcements, flyers, calendar notices, etc.).
• Ability to prepare a variety of reports (monthly progress, final cumulative) and support steward teams in restoration and community engagement activities in collaboration with Spokane Parks and Recreation Staff.
• Be communicative and responsive to the needs of WNPS leadership, partner organizations, municipal leadership, field expert speakers/instructors, course students, volunteers and members;
• Provide leadership and technical expertise as new steward teams work in a field environment to help them build their skills and meet the restoration goals laid out in their site plans; and,
• Demonstrated capability in program evaluation.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelors degree in Natural Resource Sciences or related area of study or equivalent experience & skills;
• At least 3 years of experience in event organization and volunteer engagement;
• Proficiency in managing adult learning programs involving formal curriculum and learning objectives; and,
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Power point and Outlook.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Able to adapt to changing situations, interpersonal dynamics and outside forces;
• Act in ways that reflect a high level of professionalism and understanding of contractor role;
• Ability to prioritize and organize tasks during high volume periods of service;
• Lift up to 25 lbs. frequently and walk up to 1 mile per event on uneven terrain; and,
• Ability to work predominantly in Spokane, WA.

CONTRACTOR BUSINESS STATUS:

Must be capable of legal classification as an independent contractor with verification provided at the signing a final agreement. Specifically, this means the applicant must:

• Manage an established, independent business in a field relevant to the position;
• be licensed to do business in Washington and maintain all business or similar permits or licenses required by applicable law; 
• File a schedule of expenses with the Internal Revenue Service;
• Maintain Business accounts with the Department of Revenue, and any other state agencies as required for the business he/she are conducting, for the payment of all Washington state taxes normally paid by employers and businesses;
• Provide a unified business identifier number from the State of Washington; and,
• Maintain a separate set of records that reflects all items of income and expenses incurred by his/her business, by the effective date of the Independent Contractor Agreement.