Special Projects Coordinator

Boulder County; Longmont (CO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension contributions

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Paid time off

Job summary

Boulder County Parks and Open Space Department seeks a Special Projects Coordinator to lead interdisciplinary infrastructure, restoration, and capital projects. You will coordinate planning, scheduling, and readiness for execution across design, permitting, engineering, construction, operations, and maintenance teams, ensuring alignment with stewardship goals.

Ideal candidates bring seven+ years of combined education and experience in project coordination, plus experience in public sector

Qualifications

• Minimum of seven years of combined education and experience in project coordination/management.
• Valid driver's license with clean driving record.
• Experience coordinating complex infrastructure, restoration, and environmental projects.
• Ability to read plans and manage contracts and QA/QC.
• Experience with permitting and regulatory compliance.
• Experience working in parks/open spaces or outdoor settings preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate interdisciplinary infrastructure, construction, and environmental projects.
• Lead scheduling, approvals, and readiness for implementation.
• Facilitate cross-workgroup collaboration among design, permitting, engineering, operations, and maintenance.
• Monitor risks, dependencies, and resources across teams.
• Ensure project scoping and sequencing across departments.
• Coordinate with partners and maintain clear communication in multi-agency meetings.

Skills

Project coordination

Cross-functional collaboration

Scheduling

Stakeholder communication

Risk management

Field coordination

Documentation

Budget tracking

Education

Construction management education

Engineering background

Public sector experience

Tools

MS Project

Trello

Smartsheet

GIS

Job description

Description

Boulder County Parks and Open Space Department is seeking to hire a Special Projects Coordinator. Boulder County Parks and Open Space mission is to conserve natural, cultural, and agricultural resources and provide public uses that reflect sound resource management and community values. The department implements a wide range of management plan actions, capital improvements, infrastructure projects, construction activities, maintenance projects, regulatory obligations, and property stabilization work—many of which require coordination across multiple workgroups. This role takes a holistic view of property management, integrating planning, operations, and maintenance considerations from the outset. The Project Coordinator ensures all projects are grounded in BCPOS stewardship values, incorporate environmentally sensitive approaches, and reflect a whole-property perspective that strengthens long-term function, durability, resource protection, and operational feasibility. A dedicated staff person will support the alignment of property needs and departmental priorities, avoiding delays, unclear ownership, and inconsistent progress. The Project Coordinator will provide the structure needed to coordinate interdisciplinary work, confirm project ownership, and sequence tasks across teams. This role also ensures projects are properly scoped and ready for execution, including major infrastructure and construction efforts, reducing operational risks and strengthening alignment with department priorities. The Project Management and Design team is made up of project managers, landscape architects and engineers. We are a close-knit group who work collaboratively on assignments and support each other in a variety of ways.

Contract and Schedule

This is a full-time, benefited position that will work Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm. This position will work out of 5201 St. Vrain Road, Longmont, Colorado. Under Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) guidelines, this position is exempt.

Residence Requirement

Boulder County requires its employees to reside in the state of Colorado as of the first day of work.

Hiring Salary Range

$89,796.00 - $109,578.00 Annually

Tentative Hiring Timeline

• Phone Screening: Week of November 2nd
• First Round Interviews: Week of November 9th
• Second Round Interviews: Week of November 16th
• Reference Check: Week of November 16th

Vacation and Leave

New employees receive an 80-hour bank of vacation at the time of hire, in addition to 8 hours of both vacation and medical leave accruals each month (Must not have been employed at Boulder County during the 12 months prior to re-hire date to qualify). Boulder County offers bountiful benefits, including pension contributions. Boulder County employees may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). Visit studentaid.gov for more information.

Examples of Duties

Project Coordinator Roles and Responsibilities

• Project Leadership and Coordination
• Responsible for coordinating a portfolio of complex, interdisciplinary infrastructure, construction, capital, restoration, and environmental projects at various stages of completion
• Coordinate project planning, scheduling, internal and external communication, and readiness for implementation, ensuring structured processes, clear expectations, and consistent follow through
• Facilitate cross workgroup collaboration by bringing together design, permitting, engineering, construction, operations, and maintenance teams to maintain shared understanding, aligned goals, and unified decision making
• Identify and monitor project risks, dependencies, resource constraints, and emerging issues, supporting proactive coordination and continuity across teams
• Mitigate delays, compliance challenges, and safety concerns through organized task sequencing, timely communication, and active oversight
• Track and report progress across infrastructure projects using coordinated documentation, schedule updates, and clear communication channels to ensure transparency and alignment with departmental priorities
• Collaborate closely with operations and maintenance staff to integrate field knowledge, asset conditions, and operational priorities into project sequencing, design adjustments, and coordination efforts
• Ensure project planning incorporate whole property needs—including operational feasibility, maintenance implications, environmental compatibility, and long-term stewardship goals—through interdisciplinary collaboration and structured coordination practices

Scoping, Contract, and Consultant Management

• Conduct site assessments, develop project scopes, prepare cost estimates, and coordinate input from interdisciplinary internal teams and external partners
• Integrate projects into workgroup and department wide planning cycles, aligning timelines and resource needs
• Lead procurement processes, prepare RFPs, support contract negotiation, and coordinate contract reviews
• Oversee consultant and contractor performance to ensure timely delivery and adherence to construction and engineering specifications
• Provide quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) for design plans, engineering drawings, construction documents, and technical submissions

Permitting and Regulatory Compliance

• Manage federal, state, and county permitting processes, including 1041s, CLOMRs, 404 permits, floodplain permits, and other regulatory requirements related to infrastructure and construction work
• Maintain thorough documentation for permitting, environmental compliance, safety, procurement, and risk management
• Coordinate with permitting agencies to ensure timely responses and clear communication

Partner Coordination

Coordinate with external partners, including municipalities, county departments, regional organizations, federal agencies, utilities, and funding partners involved in construction, engineering, and infrastructure initiatives.

Maintain proactive communication with partners to align timelines, expectations, permitting needs, and project deliverables.

Represent the department in multi-agency project meetings, technical working groups, and regional planning efforts.

Integrate partner requirements, funding constraints, and collaborative opportunities into the planning and sequencing of construction and infrastructure projects.

Additional Responsibilities

• Performs related work, as required
• May be reassigned during emergency situations

Required Qualifications

PLEASE NOTE: When completing your application describe all relevant education and experience, as applications are assessed based on the required qualifications listed. Resumes and other attachments are not accepted in lieu of completed applications and will not be reviewed in the initial screening process. Any personally identifiable information (PII) such as name and address will be redacted from applications that meet the minimum screening requirements and are forwarded to the hiring manager. If the hiring manager selects you to advance in the hiring process, your attachments will then be shared with the hiring team.

Education & Experience

Boulder County is looking for well qualified candidates to fill our positions. Any combination of relevant education and experience is encouraged. In this position, we are looking for a minimum of:

• 7 (seven) years of combined education and experience which can include education in construction management, architecture, planning, engineering, environmental science, ecology, natural resource management or related environmental fields and experience related to project coordination and project management.

Driver's License

• Applicants must have a valid driver's license and a clean driving record
• For more information regarding a clean driving record, please click here.

Background Check

• A job offer is contingent on passing a background investigation

Pre-employment Physical

• Candidates for this position will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment physical

Preferred Qualifications

• Construction Management degree or certificate in good standing from the Project Management Institute
• 5 or more years working as a project coordinator or project manager in federal, state or local municipal government setting
• Experience coordinating construction, habitat restoration, trail, and facility improvement projects, supporting teams through structured planning, scheduling, and organized information flow
• Experienced in building and updating project schedules, tracking milestones, monitoring dependencies, and supporting teams in meeting deadlines
• Experience working in parks, open spaces, trails, conservation areas, or similar outdoor settings
• Experience in natural resource management, environmental fieldwork, ecological restoration, or park and open space operations
• Competence with project management tools (MS Project, Trello, Smartsheet)
• GIS familiarity

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of basic construction principles, procedures, tools, and materials utilized in civil and building projects
• Knowledge of nature-based design principles, low-impact development approaches, ecological restoration techniques, and environmentally sustainable construction practices
• Understanding of holistic property management concepts, including the relationship between planning, operations, maintenance, and long-term land stewardship
• Skill in reading and interpreting architectural/civil plans and specifications
• Skills in contract writing and oversight, project management, bid administration, and closeout documentation
• Ability to make computations and calculations using computers and standard software including asset management software
• Knowledge of hazards and safety precautions common to park infrastructure construction and maintenance
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, maintain documentation accuracy, adapt to changing priorities and meet deadlines
• Ability work effectively with employees, contractors, agencies, and the public
• Ability to lead small teams on site and review contractor work
• Knowledge of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion principles and their application in public service and team environments
• Skilled at bringing together interdisciplinary contributors and facilitating smooth collaboration among design, engineering, operations, maintenance, and field staff
• Proficient in developing agendas, creating timelines, organizing meetings, and keeping communication clear and consistent across diverse workgroups
• Strong familiarity with project documentation, including organizing records, preparing tracking tools, supporting budget needs, and maintaining clarity around scoping and sequencing
• Adept at translating technical information for varied audiences and helping maintain alignment as projects move from planning through implementation
• Comfortable coordinating with contractors, consultants, agencies, and external partners to synchronize expectations, timelines, and permitting requirements
• Skilled at recognizing emerging risks, identifying resource constraints, and supporting proactive problem solving to maintain forward momentum across project teams
• Comfort working with field staff, contractors, and community partners
• Exposure to permitting processes, environmental compliance, procurement, or contract administration
• Ability to track deadlines, manage paperwork, and interface with multiple departments
• Experience communicating with the public, writing clear updates or reports, and coordinating between different teams
• Comfort interacting with volunteers, partner organizations, or local government stakeholders
• Familiarity with evaluating low-impact design alternatives, nature-based infrastructure approaches, and environmentally sensitive construction methods
• Strong general office software skills
• Organized, detail-oriented, comfortable juggling tasks
• Able to work both in the office and occasionally in the field

EEO Statement

Boulder County is a workplace dedicated to supporting individuals and families of all types and to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful environment for all employees. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants and employees on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Benefits

• Outstanding options of comprehensive health plans that include vision and dental coverage. Information can be found HERE.
• Additional Benefits include
  • Family-forming benefits- infertility treatment, adoption and surrogacy reimbursements
  • 12 weeks Paid Caregiver leave
  • Breast feeding friendly-work environment
  • Infants-at-work policy
  • Access to LifeMart and Benefits Hub discount hub, including discounts on childcare centers, event tickets, travel and more!
  • Access to a nationally-recognized wellness program
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • PERA 401k
  • Social Security retirement plans
  • Additional Life and Disability Insurance
  • Critical Illness and Accidental Insurance
  • County-paid tuition assistance
  • Eligible for PSLF- Public Service Loan Forgiveness
  • Free EcoPass
  • Hospital Indemnity
  • ID Theft Protection
  • Pet Insurance
  • 8 Hours of Paid Public Service Leave
• Generous paid time off
  • Holidays
    • New Year's Day
    • Martin Luther King's Birthday January
    • Presidents' Day
    • Memorial Day
    • Juneteenth
    • Independence Day
    • Labor Day
    • Indigenous People's Day
    • General Election Day November (first Tuesday after the first Monday, even years)
    • Veterans' Day
    • Thanksgiving Day November
    • Friday after Thanksgiving*
    • Christmas Eve- ½ day (full day off depends on day of the week)
    • Christmas Day
    • New Year’s Eve- ½ day (full day off depends on day of the week)
  • Vacation**
    • 80-hour bank of vacation at the time of hire
    • Eight hours of vacation per month for the first year of continuous service, then accrue twelve hours of vacation per month after the first year of continuous service.
  • Medical**
    • Eight hours of medical leave for each month employed.
• PERA- The County and all employees pay into both Social Security and PERA
  • Employer contribution to Social Security: 7.65% of salary
  • Employer contribution to PERA (Local Government Division- most county employees: 15.80%
  • The District Attorney’s Office observe Francis Xavier Cabrini Day on the first Monday in October and omit the Friday after Thanksgiving
  • Vacation and Medical leave are based off of full time FTE accruals. Part-time FTE/term employees accrue leave based on the percentage of time they work.

Interview Questions

01

Do you have a valid driver's license and clean driving record? (Required)

• Yes
• No

02

Please describe how you meet the minimum requirement of 7 (seven) years of combined education and experience.

03

Can you walk me through a complex project you coordinated from start to finish? What role did you play, and what challenges did you encounter?

04

When managing multiple projects, how do you prioritize tasks and allocate time?

05

Tell me about a time you had to bring a stalled project back on track. What steps did you take?

06

Describe a time you navigated conflicting stakeholder priorities. What was your strategy?

07

Parks departments often balance recreation, conservation, and public access. How do you approach decision-making when those priorities conflict?

08

What does diversity mean to you?

09

Provide brief detail, if any, about your experience and expertise working with issues around cultural responsiveness, diversity, inclusion, and equity., What educational, volunteer, and life experiences demonstrate your ability to contribute to Boulder County's goals of achieving racial equity and social justice?

• Required Question