Job Ads - Program Management (Ecological & Habitat)

Regional Habitat Program Manager - WMS Band 2 - Permanent

State of Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife

Snohomish County, WA

Envision yourself in a leadership position, implementing Habitat Program policy in the Region and providing support and supervision to a diverse regional team.

Engage and facilitate cross-program and program-wide communications, providing consistency in delivery of services as a member of the Habitat Program Senior Management Team.

Recon Work on the upper South Fork Newaukum River – Photo Credit: Ellis Cropper

Picture yourself,

As the Habitat Program policy lead, representing program policy to the public for the protection of fish and wildlife habitat while providing field-level and public perspective to the Habitat Program for guidance in the implementation of policy and procedures.

In this dynamic opportunity,

You will make decisions that influence the protection and conservation of fish and wildlife habitat of the state, in partnership with resource-based industries (e.g., the timber and fish industries), tourism, agriculture, and population growth within the affected areas of the state.

Manages work and delivery of services in key program areas,

Including Forest Habitats, Aquatic Systems, Priority Habitat and Species, Growth and Shoreline Management, Regulatory Services, Renewable Energy, Salmon Recovery, Watershed Management, and program administration.

Builds a culture of collaboration and teamwork,

On the regional team by holding self and others accountable to behaving consistent with the agency ASPIRE values: accountability, service, professionalism, integrity, respect, and empathy.

Duties

Some of what you will do as our Regional Habitat Program Manager,

Plan, lead, organize and manage the work performed by the regional habitat unit.
Assure appropriate and optimum use of the unit’s resources and enhance the effectiveness of employees through timely appraisals and professional development opportunities.
Plan for and actively manage the budget allocated to the Region, including timely assessment of changes that will affect the regional budget; ensuring follow-through on regional contract, grant, proviso, or other budget commitments; and proactively identifying options to avoid over- and under-spending.
Maintain professional development opportunities.
Support effective communications throughout the agency.
Maintain the highest standards of personal/professional and ethical conduct and support the State’s goals for a diverse workforce.
Develop and administer regional budgets and work plans derived from the agency strategic plan.
Serve as the initial point of contact for other agencies in the region and organize periodic coordination meetings as required by various agreements.
Coordinate with other governmental agencies and landowners to influence their land use planning decisions for the protection of fish and wildlife.
Oversee issuance of Hydraulic Project Approvals in the region and review and seek resolution of agency field staff decisions.
Serve as a vital communication hub among the supervised staff, the various Habitat Divisions, the six regions and programs within DFW.

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Closely related qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-by-year basis.

Bachelor’s Degree in a natural resource science or related field.

Skills and abilities in the following:

Proven ability to lead a team, manage programs, policies, and procedures.
Demonstrated effective negotiation skills.
Ability to excel as a member of a management team.
Proven ability to clearly communicate with management, regulatory bodies, and employees.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Five (5) years of experience supervising professional staff.

Knowledge in the following:

Principles of marine, fresh water, and terrestrial ecology and natural resource management.
Principles of stream dynamics and aquatic resource needs and impact analysis from development.
Biology and life history of fish and wildlife species in Washington State.
Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive species habitat needs and impact assessment.
State and federal statutes and administrative rules.
Growth Management Act and its implementation in relation to protection of fish and wildlife resources.

Skills and abilities in the following:

Proficiently utilize agency contract management system, budget allotment systems, and statewide Enterprise Reporting and AFRS.
Demonstrated proficiency in managing a complex budget.

Ecological Restoration Program Manager – Cranberry Bogs

Department of Fish And Game

Boston, MA 02114•Hybrid remote

The Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game works to preserve the state's natural resources and people's right to conservation of those resources, as protected by Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution. To carry out this mission, the Department exercises responsibility over the Commonwealth's marine and freshwater fisheries, wildlife species, plants, and natural communities, as well as the habitats that support them.

The Division of Ecological Restoration is charged with restoring and protecting the health and integrity of the Commonwealth's rivers, wetlands, and watersheds for the benefit of people and the environment. This mission is critical to the success of the Department of Fish and Game that manages, protects, and restores the natural resources of the Commonwealth. The Division of Ecological Restoration works with community-based partners to restore aquatic ecosystems. The Division's ecological restoration work brings clean water, recreation opportunities, and other ecosystem services to the citizens of Massachusetts.

General Statement of Duties and Responsibilities

The Environmental Analyst IV / Ecological Restoration Program Manager manages DER’s Cranberry Bog Restoration Program, a program dedicated to restoring retired cranberry bogs to healthy and resilient wetlands and rivers. The Ecological Restoration Program Manager leads a partnership among DER, landowners, non-profit organizations, communities, and agencies with the goals of securing funding, prioritizing potential cranberry bog restoration projects, and planning and implementing restoration projects.

This position will also provide support for DER’s Habitat Restoration Branch and requires significant leadership, sound professional judgment, collaborative spirit, and a high level of professional expertise with ecological restoration, program management, and staff supervision. The Ecological Restoration Program Manager will serve as a senior project manager for select restoration projects and will contribute to internal and external capacity building for DER’s habitat restoration activities. The position requires excellent strategic planning, problem solving, and partnership building skills. The Ecological Restoration Program Manager also performs duties in support of general DER operations.

The Ecological Restoration Program Manager – Cranberry Bogs will be based in DER’s Boston office; the position will follow a hybrid schedule, consisting of in-office and telework. In-state travel to conduct fieldwork is also required.

Detailed Statement of Duties and Responsibilities

1. Manages DER’s Cranberry Bog Restoration Program to restore retired cranberry bogs, resulting in healthy, resilient, wetlands and rivers. (60%)

Builds DER’s and partnering organizations’ capacity to meet Cranberry Bog Restoration Program needs.
Supervises Cranberry Bog Restoration Program staff and provides technical guidance and support to other DER staff assisting the Program.
Develops and implements Program strategic plans and annual work plans.
Develops and maintains annual Program budget and pursues project and Program support through external funding opportunities.
Develops and maintains partnerships with federal, state, and local organizations and landowners to support restoration of former cranberry bogs.
Develops tools and approaches for restoration project selection, prioritization, and progress tracking.
Develops, documents, and institutionalizes cranberry bog restoration best practices.
Provides training, mentoring, and troubleshooting to local organizations managing cranberry bog restoration projects.
Coordinates research, monitoring, and/or data collection that tracks project outcomes and effectiveness of restoration practices; identifies learning priorities.
Builds Program awareness and support through public interaction and presentations.

2. Provides support and leadership for DER’s Habitat Restoration Branch and contributes to internal and external capacity building for DER aquatic habitat restoration activities, as requested. (20%)

Develops relevant and timely guidance on ecological restoration topics for DER staff, other agencies, ecological restoration practitioners, and the general public.
Works with other DER Branches and Programs to advance an integrated approach for ecological restoration activities and practices.
Works in collaboration with other Program Managers to support and advance the goals of DER’s Habitat Restoration Branch.
Explores and evaluates new areas of project or policy emphasis for DER’s Habitat Restoration Branch, as requested.
Provides leadership, coordination, and troubleshooting for aquatic habitat restoration technical, regulatory, policy, and project support needs.
Assists with management of DER’s ecological restoration database and GIS assets.
Assists with Habitat Restoration Branch programmatic development and budget planning.
Develops public support and provides public education, technical assistance, and outreach for aquatic habitat restoration priorities statewide.
Manages interagency contracts and agreements.

3. Serves as project manager for selected ecological restoration projects including retired cranberry bog restoration, dam removal, salt marsh restoration, freshwater wetland restoration, culvert removal/replacement, or other project types. (15%)

Coordinates and maintains communication between DER staff, and state, federal, and other project partners; ensures project goals are clear and objectives met.
Identifies potential restoration projects and works with landowners and partners to develop project plans.
Manages implementation of aquatic ecological restoration projects from inception to completion, including overseeing feasibility assessment, project design, permitting, and construction. Directs the work of consultants carrying out technical work.
Develops and leads restoration project teams
Obtains project funding through grants and donations of in-kind services
Conducts fieldwork in support of cranberry bog restoration projects, including field evaluations, hydrological and biological monitoring, and other work.

4. Performs duties in support of DER operations. (5%)

Contributes to DER’s strategic and annual work planning processes.
Provides support for DER’s budget and program development.
Provides monitoring, technical, and research support to DER projects and other activities.
Provides information as requested to support DER outreach, such as project updates, newsletters, website content, and program reports.
Conducts training and participates in other outreach and education activities related to ecological restoration.
Provides technical and organizational support to other DER staff and directors.
Contributes to interagency coordination and policy activities.
Represents DER in public forums and presents at professional conferences

Preferred Qualifications

A Master’s degree in environmental science, ecology, natural resources, or a related field.
Seven or more years of professional experience in wetland, river and/or other aquatic ecosystem restoration experience, wetland and river ecology, and/or hydrology.
Proven professional experience training, mentoring, supervising, or directing staff; two years minimum experience.
Program development and management experience, including building internal and external partner capacity to meet identified program needs.
Experience developing and maintaining a program budget.
Demonstrated ability to strategically manage large and complex projects, direct and coordinate work of project teams, and make management and budgetary decisions.
Ability to work effectively and manage staff in a hybrid work environment, using both synchronous and asynchronous communication tools.
Extensive aquatic ecosystem restoration field experience and ability to identify aquatic habitat stressors and potential restoration treatments.
Experience identifying, assessing, leading, and completing complex proactive, partner-driven aquatic ecosystem restoration projects with infrastructure components or constraints such as roads, bridges, culverts, utilities, and buildings.
Experience developing restoration project plans, coordinating project teams, preparing and managing project budgets, developing public support, preparing scopes of work, and managing consultant contracts.
Experience in aquatic ecosystem monitoring and data collection, analysis, and reporting for parameters in freshwater and coastal environments, including vegetation, water chemistry, nekton, and hydrology.
Experience working with federal, state, and local agencies and non-governmental organizations on collaborative projects involving natural resource management or ecological restoration.
Experience coordinating interagency activities and deliberations
Solid knowledge and work experience with environmental permitting at local, state, and federal levels.
Experience interpreting, reviewing, and commenting on hydrologic and hydraulic calculations and models, and engineering designs and specifications, including elements such as elevations and datums, resource delineations, geotechnical analysis, dewatering, erosion controls, construction staging and sequencing, and overall best management practices.
Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment on multiple tasks with varying deadlines. Ability to work independently and with self-initiative, and to exercise sound judgment and discretion.
Must be a team player with strong interpersonal skills and a proven ability to motivate and engage others, effectively manage controversy, and forge and maintain partnerships.
Ability to manage teams through change, growth, and innovation.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Exceptional troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
Knowledge of social, economic, legal, technological, and scientific factors, trends and problems associated with planning and implementing aquatic habitat protection and restoration activities.
Proven ability to write successful funding proposals and administer multiple funding sources.
Ability to travel statewide and to participate in occasional evening and weekend site visits and meetings.
Excellent all-around computer skills including data management and use of GIS software. Full competency with the MS Office Suite is expected.

Qualifications Acquired on the Job

Understand and apply the laws, rules, regulations, permits, policies, procedures etc. governing implementation of habitat restoration projects in the Commonwealth.

Qualifications
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) five years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, technical or professional experience in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health, of which (B) at least three years must have been in a professional capacity, and of which (C) at least one year must have been in a supervisory, managerial or administrative capacity, or (D) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the following substitutions.
Substitutions:
I. An Associate's degree with a major in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.*
II. A Bachelor's degree with a major in the field of environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required (A) experience.*
III. A Graduate degree with a major in environmental science, biology, chemistry, earth science, environmental health, meteorology, natural science, toxicology or public health may be substituted for a maximum of three years of the required (A) experience and one year of the required (B) experience.*

Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

NOTE: Educational substitutions will only be permitted for a maximum of one year of the required (B) experience. No substitutions will be permitted for the required (C) experience.

Habitat Program Director

Minnesota Trout Unlimited

Minneapolis-Saint Paul, MN•Remote

Minnesota Trout Unlimited (MNTU) is a nonprofit environmental conservation organization with thousands of members and five chapters. The mission of MNTU is to conserve, protect, restore, and sustain Minnesota’s coldwater fisheries, their watersheds and groundwater sources. Guided by science and data, MNTU envisions a future when all can enjoy the benefits of robust populations of native and wild coldwater fish in Minnesota’s exceptional streams and lakes. Since 2010 MNTU has restored or enhanced habitat for trout, as well as other aquatic organisms and riparian wildlife, on more than 100 miles of streams and rivers across Minnesota.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Habitat Program Director will oversee and implement Minnesota Trout Unlimited’s habitat restoration and enhancement projects throughout Minnesota. Minnesota Trout Unlimited (“MNTU”) secures grants from the State of Minnesota’s Outdoor Heritage Fund and other sources for habitat projects on public and private lands statewide. Working closely with MNTU’s Executive Director, this position will manage these grants, stream habitat restoration projects, budgets, and contracting.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Manage work plans and budgets for all habitat grants, including securing necessary amendments from grant funders and preparing periodic status reports
Manage the design, permitting, and timely implementation of habitat projects
Develop RFPs for design, permitting, and construction oversight services and, for project construction, evaluate bids, manage contracts, and approve invoices
Hire and supervise field staff and contractors
Work with the Executive Director, MNTU chapters, and Minnesota DNR staff to identify and plan habitat restoration and enhancement projects
Coordinate with MNTU chapters on projects and project funding
Coordinate press opportunities with MNTU staff and volunteers to highlight project implementation and completion
Prepare and manage budgets for habitat projects, including reviewing construction invoices, preparing financial documents and reports, and submitting timely reimbursement requests

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant area of study
Professional experience managing construction projects, including contracts and budgeting
Professional experience managing large budgets
Excellent organizational and problem-solving abilities and strong attention to detail
Demonstrated ability to plan, implement, and supervise multiphase construction projects
Ability to work effectively in a team environment with a wide variety of individuals – partners, stakeholders, landowners, staff, and board members – in achieving habitat and organizational goals
Well-organized, self-motivated, and self-directed
Highly attentive to details and follow-through essential for timely implementation of complex habitat restoration projects
Experience and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, email, and calendar programs
Excellent communication skills
Valid driver’s license and access to a motor vehicle
Be fully vaccinated against COVID

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Professional experience managing stream or river habitat restoration projects
Experience with public grant management
Experience with permitting of stream projects
Working knowledge of principles and practices of stream restoration, and fisheries management
Passion for protecting and restoring trout populations and their watersheds
Experience and proficiency with GIS programs, the generation of maps, natural resource information, and other spatial data

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position requires occasional travel to habitat projects around the state, primarily to streams in the southeast, northeast, North Shore, and Twin Cities metro areas of Minnesota. It also requires the ability to hike into project sites in remote settings and traverse rough terrain.

This salaried position requires occasional long hours and weekend work, sometimes in excess of 40 hours per week.

Assistant Habitat Program Manager

State of Utah

Weber County, UT

Job Description:
Are you a natural resource professional who likes to be a part of a team whose core values are integrity, professionalism, accountability, teamwork and cooperation? Do you also excel at motivating people and solving problems? If so, this might be the perfect job for you. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is looking for a talented, energetic and people-oriented leader to fill the role of Assistant Habitat Program Manager in our Ogden office. This position supervises staff, managers contracts and budgets, drafts management plans, and resolves challenging land management issues.

Principal duties:
As the Regional Habitat Biologist, you will:

Be part of a team of wildlife professionals that implement habitat management activities on private, state and federal lands.
Develop and monitor contracts for supplies, equipment, and labor necessary for the successful operation of the program.
Supervise full-time and seasonal staff within the program.
Lead committees and staff members in the development of management plans for state-owned wildlife management areas.
Work with agencies, conservation groups, and members of the public to resolve challenging land management issues.

The Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate will have:

At least 5-years of work experience in a wildlife-related field, and a demonstrated knowledge of Utah's wildlife and lands conservation programs, laws, rules, policies and practices.
Proven ability to build collaborative, solution-based partnerships with diverse stakeholders and organizations.
The ability to communicate information and ideas clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
A masters degree in wildlife biology, an applicable natural resource management field, or another closely related field.
The ability to work with diverse stakeholders to find creative and pragmatic solutions to problems, processes and socio-political conflicts.
Previous experience managing projects, programs and budgets.
Practical experience dealing with the politics — internal and external — of natural resource management.

Why you should join our team:
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) serves the people of Utah as trustee and guardian of the state’s fish and wildlife, always working to maintain sustainable and diverse populations. Our employees strive for the highest levels of integrity, professionalism, accountability, teamwork and cooperation. Click the benefits tab to view a summary of the benefits and compensation offered to DWR employees (e.g., paid time off, health insurance, dental coverage, retirement plans, discount programs).

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

Risks which require the use of special safety precautions and/or equipment, e.g., working around operating machines, working with contagious diseases or hazardous chemicals, etc.
Work requires physical exertion. May require the ability to stand; walk over rough surfaces; bend, crouch, stoop, stretch, reach, lift moderately heavy items (up to 50 lbs.) in a recurring manner and/or for long periods of time.
Typical work schedule is 40 hours per week, with occasional weekends, evenings and emergency response.

Preference May Be Given To Applicants Who Have:

Masters degree in a natural resource management field, wildlife biology or another closely related field; at least 5-years of successful work experience in a wildlife related field, demonstrated knowledge and experience related to water rights, water law and water management practices.

Requirements:

Valid Drivers License
This is a full-time position, which occasionally requires irregular hours, including evenings, weekends and during emergency situations.
Occasional overnight travel within Utah, and occasionally outside of the state, is required to attend meetings, conferences, support habitat management projects, etc.
A Bachelor's Degree in a natural resource management field, wildlife biology or another closely related field; at least 2-years of related work experience; demonstrated abilities to build partnerships and work with diverse people; the ability to write well; excellent verbal communication skills; ability to speak in public or 6 years directly related experience in one of the fields listed above.