Category: Careers

Location: Temporarily remote/virtual; Washington, DC area highly desirable

Term: Independent contractor for maternity leave duration between November 1, 2020 and April 1, 2021

Approximate hours per week: 20-30, with potential additional hours as candidate is available

The Position

This is a mid-level position that will primarily support project management, collaborative problem solving, strategic planning, dispute resolution, public outreach and engagement, and communications processes with a focus on the Department of the Interior. This position may also support Kearns & West  Collaborative Solutions practice with other federal and state agency clients, based on background and qualifications.

The position involves multiple responsibilities and roles including: federal contract management and planning, establishing and maintaining client and partner relationships, managing the scope, schedule, and budget of multiple projects, managing multiple task orders, and supporting meeting facilitation and public engagement. Depending on future needs the position may expand to include support for proposal preparation and other business development.

Qualifications

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Committed to customer satisfaction
• Highly organized
• Adaptable and flexible
• Self-motivated and comfortable working independently with limited supervision
• An effective and reliable communicator
• Able to reliably set priorities, manage multiple tasks, and meet project deadlines
• Comfortable learning on the job
• Able to work and balance multiple projects for multiple clients

This Position

• is a temporary independent contractor opportunity during a maternity leave; approximate dates are between November 1, 2020 and April 1, 2021
• is approximately 20-30 hours per week; additional hours may be available depending on candidate availability and qualifications
• has the potential for additional work or time extension dependent on candidate’s performance and evolving organizational needs
• will likely require regular presence in our Washington, DC office, consistent with public health guidance regarding the covid-19 situation and organizational decisions
• is a non-partisan, “neutral” position in relation to the subject matter, not an advocacy position

A strong candidate will be familiar with federal government contracting and will be interested in integrating project management skills with the collaborative problem solving and stakeholder outreach and engagement work that is a significant business focus for Kearns & West.

IMMEDIATE HIRE: We plan to fill this position as soon as possible.

Education, Certifications and Experience

MINIMUM EDUCATION: Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree or equivalent. Advanced degree or education is valued but not a requirement.

REQUIRED SKILLS/EXPERIENCE: Proficiency in MS Office (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) is required. Demonstrated understanding of federal government contracting is required. Demonstrated project management experience is required. Project management certification is valued but not required.

PREFERRED SKILLS/EXPERIENCE: Strong candidates will have a minimum of eight years of employment experience. Proficiency with basic contract management tools including budget tracking is preferred and a recognized project management certification is valued. Experience with the following is also valued: collaborative technology, facilitation, conflict resolution, stakeholder engagement and process management, and communications.

PRIOR DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR EXPERIENCE: We value a demonstrated prior connection to and professional relationships with the Department of the Interior, although these are not required.

How to Apply

Please e-mail a resume and cover letter to personnel@kearnswest.com. We ask that you not call K&W staff or send telecopies. Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled.

The Organization

Kearns & West’s Washington, DC Office has an opening for a project manager with federal contracting experience. Kearns & West is a national collaborative problem solving, dispute resolution, and strategic communications firm with offices in Washington, DC, Sacramento/Davis, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco, CA, and Portland, OR. We provide a spectrum of services including project management; stakeholder and public outreach and engagement; process and meeting design; conflict resolution including mediation and facilitated decision making; and strategic planning. We work primarily – but not exclusively – across a broad spectrum of public policy issues. Our collaborative programs are designed to identify and organize a range of issues, opinions, goals and interests into clear, productive processes that lead to successful conclusions for diverse parties and key stakeholders.

Kearns & West’s mission: Organizations impacting society operate within a complex framework of needs, policies, interests, and markets. Kearns & West navigates this framework to help clients collaborate, communicate vision, and create productive connections with their stakeholders, employees and customers.

THE POSITION

Kearns & West seeks a Project Coordinator in the San Francisco or Sacramento, California office. The candidate will support a range, facilitation/collaboration, public engagement, communications, and problem solving projects. It is likely this position will focus on projects in the water, energy and marine sectors. The position provides an opportunity to work on projects throughout California and nationally.

The position involves a wide range of responsibilities and roles including:

• Leading or supporting coordination of meeting logistics;
• Attending meetings with stakeholders and providing logistics and note taking support;
• Developing meeting summaries and reports;
• Communications and outreach support;
• Preparation of informational materials for stakeholders and the public;
• Project research;
• Proofreading reports and other documents;
• Database management;
• Business development support including assistance with coordinating, tracking, and writing project proposals;
• Tracking project activities and deadlines;
• Managing staffing schedules;
• Coordinating invoicing and expenses.

QUALIFICATIONS
Successful candidate will have a bachelor’s degree and a background/interest in environmental /natural resource topics. One to three years of work experience is preferred.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Organized and detail-oriented;
• Prepared to contribute to our full team;
• Adaptable and flexible;
• Self-motivated and comfortable working independently;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment;
• An effective and reliable communicator;
• Interested in learning facilitation skills and growing to facilitate complex public policy issues;
• Comfortable with taking direction yet able to take the initiative as needed;
• Able to reliably set priorities, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines;
• Able to work and balance multiple projects for multiple clients;
• Successful at balancing working as part of a team with working independently.

Applicant must demonstrate strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office and database management. Graphic design and InDesign skills are desirable, but not required.

COMPENSATION
Compensation will depend on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate.

HOW TO APPLY
Please apply immediately by submitting a cover letter and resume to personnel@kearnswest.com with the subject “Northern California Project Coordinator Opening.” Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled.

Additionally, we are always interested in hearing from potential colleagues at the senior level who would be interested in joining our Kearns & West affiliates team on a contract basis. If you are interested, we encourage you to submit your qualifications and resume to personnel@kearnswest.com with the subject “California Affiliate Interest.”

THE ORGANIZATION
Kearns & West is a leader in the collaborative communications field, providing services in public involvement, stakeholder facilitation, community outreach, and mediation, for the public and private sectors. Founded in 1984, the small, woman-owned business has offices in, San Francisco, Sacramento, Riverside, San Diego, Los Angeles, Portland, Atlanta and Washington, DC. Kearns & West is committed to maintaining a diverse workplace and is an Equal Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Focusing on positive, mutually beneficial results has allowed Kearns & West to maintain long-term relationships with the people and organizations we assist. The firm’s high-stakes projects include work at local, state, and national levels and cover a variety of sectors including water, energy, marine resources, land use, transportation, and community planning, and natural resources. At the core of all of our projects is finding solutions to advance essential policies and programs.

Kearns & West is the ideal match for professionals seeking meaningful work, opportunities for growth, and colleagues that are smart, capable, and supportive. Once on board, our employees stay for the long term. The entrepreneurial culture at Kearns & West values employee initiatives in practice innovation and business development. Compensation and benefits at Kearns & West are also highly competitive with firms in our field.

ASSOCIATE POSITION

The Associate will support collaborative problem solving, dispute resolution, and public outreach and engagement processes involving stakeholders from state and federal agencies, tribal communities, advocacy organizations, industry, and local government in California and across the United States. It is expected that this position will support multiple projects involving issues touching on water resources management and ecosystem protection and enhancement, among other projects.

This position involves multiple responsibilities and roles including: planning, scheduling, and executing stakeholder meetings or other types of in-person or online interactions (including logistics such as venue location, audio visual equipment, and invitations), project research, strategic planning, stakeholder communications and outreach support, notetaking and preparation of meeting summaries, development of project proposals including budgets, business development, contract administration, and invoice and expense report preparation. Associates may also have opportunities to facilitate dialog, problem solving, decision making and other tasks in groups of diverse sizes and makeup, depending on prior experience and demonstrated skill.

DESIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Highly organized and prepared to contribute to team organization
• Adaptable and flexible
• Self-motivated and comfortable working independently
• An effective and reliable communicator
• Comfortable with taking direction and able to take the initiative as needed
• Able to reliably set priorities, manage multiple tasks, and meet project deadlines
• Able to work and balance multiple projects for multiple clients
• Successful at balancing working as part of a team with working independently, and
• Comfortable working in a small [2-3 person] office environment and collaborating virtually with inter-office teams (based in San Francisco/Portland/Washington, DC/Southern California). 

We are in the business of supporting effective problem solving and joint decision making, often in the public sector, so proven communication skills and enthusiasm for outreach are critical. A strong candidate will write clearly and accurately under deadlines, and will have strong “people” skills. Work assignments will involve other K&W locations, and the ability to work virtually with our team will be important. A strong candidate also will have sound professional judgment.

THE POSITION

• offers significant opportunities for professional growth and experience
• will require virtual presence for the time being
• will require physical presence in Northern California locations when deemed safe by health experts and our K&W leadership team, as well as some travel (local, regional, national)
• is a non-partisan, “neutral” position in relation to subject matter, not an advocacy position

A strong candidate will be interested in a career that incorporates strong collaborative problem solving and stakeholder outreach and engagement abilities.

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

MINIMUM EDUCATION: Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree or equivalent. Advanced degree or education is valued but will not change job duties described above.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: Strong candidates will have one to three years of work experience or a master’s degree equivalent with a focus on public policy, energy/transmission, the environment, water issues, communications, or conflict management and resolution. Demonstrated understanding and interest in state and local government policy will enhance an application. Fluency in Spanish is valued but not required. Proficiency with online collaboration, database management, graphic design, and social media tools is preferred.

REQUIRED SKILLS: Proficiency in MS Office (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) is required.

PRIOR REGIONAL CONNECTION: We value a demonstrated prior connection to Northern California, including: SF Bay area, Davis-Sacramento, Central Valley region. Family ties, work experience, or graduate school are examples.

COMPENSATION

The salary for this position is open and will be dependent upon the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. In addition, benefits are provided which include: profit-sharing; 401K; bonuses; health, dental and disability insurance; vacation and holidays; and more.

HOW TO APPLY

Please apply immediately by submitting a cover letter and resume to personnel@kearnswest.com using the subject line “NorCal Associate Opening.” Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled.

THE ORGANIZATION

Kearns & West is seeking to hire an Associate for its team delivering Collaborative Solutions services from the Davis/Sacramento-San Francisco region. Our team members work extensively – but not exclusively – on public policy decision making, problem solving, conflict resolution, and citizen engagement across a broad spectrum of issues. We are recognized around the United States as a leader in consistently delivering high quality and innovative services from a non-partisan perspective. Our physical offices are located in Sacramento/Davis, San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, CA, Portland, OR, [Atlanta, GA,] and Washington DC.

Our clients are primarily local, state, and government agencies and public sector companies. We deliver customized conflict and needs assessments, public outreach and engagement, process and meeting design and facilitation, conflict resolution/mediation, and strategic planning and communications services. We employ diverse tools, methods, and techniques to promote constructive stakeholder relationships, collaborations, and strategic partnerships and sustainable solutions.

Kearns & West is a small, women-owned business founded in 1984. We offer a collaborative, collegial work environment and the chance to work on significant public policy projects. We offer professional development and a partnership track as team members advance in their careers. We are committed to doing business in ways that are consistent with explicit principles and values.

DIRECTOR POSITION

The Director will support and lead collaborative problem solving, dispute resolution, and public outreach and engagement processes involving stakeholders from state and federal agencies, tribal communities, advocacy organizations, industry, and local government in California and across the United States. It is expected that this position will support multiple projects involving issues touching on water resources management and ecosystem protection and enhancement.

The position involves a wide range of responsibilities and roles including: all aspects of planning and executing stakeholder and public meetings or other forums, facilitated problem solving and decision making, citizen engagement, project and client management, strategic planning, development of project proposals and identification of new business opportunities, and contract administration. Candidates from a variety of backgrounds, including dispute resolution, public policy, and communications will be considered. Demonstrated interest in collaborative problem-solving and related communication skills is essential.

DESIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Organized and prepared to contribute to our team organization
• Comfortable planning and facilitating meetings, workshops, and other forums of diverse sizes, including public meetings that may involve significant emotion and conflict
• Committed to business development and growing Kearns & West’s Collaborative Solutions
• Adaptable and flexible
• Able to maintain a non-partisan, neutral perspective on the substance of issues and potential solutions
• An effective verbal communicator
• Able to create accurate and clear written products such as meeting summaries within deadlines
• Able to reliably set priorities, manage multiple tasks, and meet project deadlines
• Able to balance work on multiple projects for different clients
• Successful at balancing working as part of a team with working independently
• Comfortable working in diverse physical and virtual environments and collaborating with colleagues located around the United States as well as in the same area

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE

Minimum Education: Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree. Advanced degree or education a plus but will not change job duties.

Preferred Experience: Successful candidates will have at least six (6) years of experience with stakeholder engagement, meeting facilitation, conflict management and resolution, local and regional government, public policy, and/or community relations. Demonstrated success in building client relationships and generating business is desired. Fluency in Spanish is a plus.

Required Skills: Applicants are expected to demonstrate strong overall computer skills including proficiency in office software suites (word processing, presentation software, spreadsheets), communication and collaboration tools (Slack, MS Teams, Zoom, are Mural are examples), and project management tools. Additional computer skills, such as graphic design or data visualization software competency, are desirable.

COMPENSATION

The salary for this position is open and will be dependent upon the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. In addition, benefits are provided which include: profit-sharing; 401K; bonuses; health, dental and disability insurance; vacation and holidays; and more.

HOW TO APPLY

Please apply immediately by submitting cover letter and resume to personnel@kearnswest.com with the subject “Nor Cal Director Opening.” Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled.

THE ORGANIZATION

Kearns & West is seeking to hire a Director for its team delivering Collaborative Solutions services from the Davis/Sacramento-San Francisco region. Our team members work extensively – but not exclusively – on public policy decision making, problem solving, conflict resolution, and citizen engagement across a broad spectrum of issues. We are recognized around the United States as a leader in consistently delivering high quality and innovative services from a non-partisan perspective. Our physical offices are located in Sacramento/Davis, San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, CA, Portland, OR, Atlanta, GA, and Washington DC.

Our clients are primarily local, state, and government agencies and public sector companies. We deliver customized conflict and needs assessments, public outreach and engagement, process and meeting design and facilitation, conflict resolution/mediation, and strategic planning and communications services. We employ diverse tools, methods, and techniques to promote constructive stakeholder relationships, collaborations, and strategic partnerships and sustainable solutions.

Kearns & West is a small, women-owned business founded in 1984. We offer a collaborative, collegial work environment and the chance to work on significant public policy projects. We offer professional development and a partnership track as team members advance in their careers. We are committed to doing business in ways that are consistent with explicit principles and values.