APOSD Acquisitions Assistant

Salary : $96,341.46 - $117,087.43 Annually
Location : Santa Rosa, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26/09-1298-APOSD
Department: Agricultural Preservation & Open Space District (OSD)
Opening Date: 09/28/2026
Closing Date: 10/15/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 05

Position Information
The APOSD Acquisitions Assistant will be part of a dynamic team working to permanently protect lands in Sonoma County that benefit healthy communities, clean water and air, diverse habitats, sustainable agriculture, and climate resiliency. They will participate in many aspects of our land conservation projects, including processing new applications from landowners interested in APOSD programs, evaluating potential projects, developing project maps using GIS and other software, and providing general support to the Acquisitions Program staff. In support of the APOSD land conservation mission, the Acquisitions Assistant will collaborate with the public, project partners, contractors, agency staff, and oversight bodies.

APOSD is seeking an ideal candidate who has:

• A passion for conserving natural and agricultural land for the benefit of future generations
• Experience working with public agencies and non-profit organizations in land conservation and/or real property acquisition, land use planning, and natural resource conservation
• An understanding of emerging policy issues affecting land conservation, including land use, habitat protection, water quality and quantity, sustainable agricultural and forest land management, and climate change
• Experience with GIS and related technology and systems as applied to conservation planning, open space, parks, natural resources, land use, or similar fields
• Familiarity with or interest in real estate transactions including appraisals, title work, due diligence, escrow, and closing
• Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple high-priority projects
• Strong orientation toward internal and external customer service
• Effective written and verbal communication

Minimum Qualifications
Experience and Education: Any combination of education and work experience which would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed herein. Normally, this would include a Bachelor's degree, or equivalent, in real estate, environmental studies, land use, conservation, natural resource planning, agriculture, geography, ecology or a related field, and one year of experience in land conservation, natural resource protection, parks, or another similar field, with a governmental agency or non-profit that includes experience working with GIS, including system functionality and map production.

License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.
The position advertised on this announcement requires possession of a valid California Driver's License.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Working knowledge of: principles of research and data collection pertaining to land conservation, planning, property evaluation, and environmental issues; technical and legal issues of urban and regional planning, land use management, environmental compliance, and program management; written and oral communication including English grammar, vocabulary, mechanics, syntax, and composition; use of computer and software applications.

Knowledge of: basic principles and practices of land conservation, real estate, ecology, and land use planning; use of GIS, GPS, and related software and hardware to collect data, perform analyses, and prepare maps and reports.

Ability to: understand and interpret title reports, maps, contracts, legal descriptions, deed restrictions and other real estate documents; conduct statistical research, and analyze data pertaining to a variety of conservation and other open space matters; assimilate documents pertaining to real estate transactions; perform multiple tasks under deadlines; establish and maintain effective relationships with people encountered in the course of work; use GIS, GPS, and related software and hardware to collect data, perform analyses, and prepare maps and reports; perform analytical work carefully and accurately; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; use computers and software.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying
The selection procedure will consist of an application with a supplemental questionnaire evaluation and interviews. Applicants should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of the application and be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions. You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position. Each application and supplemental questionnaire will be thoroughly evaluated for satisfaction of minimum qualifications and relevance of educational coursework, training, experience, and knowledge and abilities that relate to the position. Candidates possessing the most appropriate job-related qualifications will be invited to an interview.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire be completed.
Additional Information

A background investigation may be required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the to determine the requirements for this position.
How to Apply

Applications are accepted online at Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications including the answers to the supplemental questions as outlined in the job bulletin must be recieved by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

Important Note: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.

County of Sonoma Benefits: General*

These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:

Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation accrual and sick leave accruals; additional management leave annually; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.

Health Plan: Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generous County contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.

Retirement: Fully integrated with Social Security. For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit

IRS 457 Plan: Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.

Retiree Medical: County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.

Student Loan Debt Relief: County employees may be eligible for through the U.S. Department of Education.

Plus, excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.

For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331. Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at For specific information about health and welfare benefits, including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts, go to or contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at or (707) 565-2900.

*Important Notes: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.
01

How did you first learn about this opportunity?

• Careers in Government
• College or University
• County of Sonoma Human Resources Office
• DiversityJobs
• Employee of Sonoma County
• Facebook
• Glassdoor
• GovernmentJobs.com
• Indeed
• Instagram
• Job Fair
• Latino Service Providers
• LinkedIn
• Los Cien
• Press Democrat
• sonoma-county.org/www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org
• Start Here!
• X (Twitter)
• Veterans Services Office
• Women's Organization or Group
• Other Internet Site
• Other Publication

02

Please indicate if you would also be interested in future part-time or extra-help (temporary, intermittent, or seasonal employment) positions should they become available. Check all that apply.

• I would also like to be considered for future part-time positions
• I would also like to be considered for future extra-help positions
• I am only interested in full-time positions

03

Please describe your coursework in real estate, environmental studies, land use, conservation or natural resource planning, GIS and/or related fields. List any degrees acquired.
04

Please describe your experience in land conservation, environmental protection, open space, public parks or similar field that includes significant public contact.
05

Please describe a time you successfully collaborated with a team to complete a land conservation project. Detail your role on the team and how your skills contributed to the success of the project.
06

Please describe your experience presenting a complex project, proposal, plan or program to an individual or group such as a member of the public, a constituent, a client, a funder or a governing board member. Describe any experience dealing with criticism or conflict during or following a presentation.
Required Question