Are you interested in a management role that will help protect and enhance public health, safety, and the environment? If so, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is presently recruiting for a Watershed Natural Resources Manager who can provide crucial oversight to ensure compliance with regulatory and legal requirements for the City of Seattle’s Municipal Watersheds. The City’s watersheds cover over 100,000 acres and are carefully managed to support and supply clean drinking water to the greater Seattle area. The Watershed Natural Resources Manager position reports to the Watershed Management Director.

About Seattle Public Utilities (SPU): SPU is a Community Centered Utility working to make Seattle the best place to live for everyone. We deliver high quality, vital services, across four (4) major lines of business: providing water, solid waste, drainage and wastewater services for Seattle residents and businesses. In addition, SPU provides drinking water for 1.5 million regional customers in Seattle and other municipalities. Our customers depend on us to deliver high-quality, reliable, and cost-conscious utility services and to achieve the greatest benefits possible for every investment we make.

SPU commits to Our City Values and Social Justice as core principles that guide our work. We support and hold ourselves accountable to this commitment by eliminating barriers to access and providing employees with equitable opportunities for professional growth and advancement.

Job Responsibilities

The Watershed Natural Resources Manager (WNRM) ir responsible for promoting healthy, resilient aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and hydrologic  stability in the 100,0000 acres of the Cedar River and South Fork Tolt River Municipal Watersheds. This position is responsible for managing large and complex agreements with State and Federal agencies to ensure high quality source drinking water for 1.5 million customers. The WNRM implements natural resource requirements under the City of Seattle Secondary Use Ordinance; ensures compliance with Cedar River Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) requirements under the Endangered Species Act; collaborates with Muckleshoot Indian Tribe (MIT) to implement the 2006 MIT Settlement Agreement, and manages professional staff who implement programmatic goals specific in agreements, regulations and policy, including hydrologic systems and management, watershed restoration, fish and wildlife management, invasive species, forest management, silviculture, forest ecology and collaboration with Tribal, state and federal agency staff.

Essential Duties include (but not limited to):

• Manage a team of hydrologists, forest ecologists, fish and wildlife biologists, and other environmental technicians and professionals.
• Provide leadership and direction, assign, monitor and review work of the Natural Resource Section to ensure that services are provided at the best value for customers
• Manage and administer a total budget of over $1 million dollars while ensuring completion and accomplishment of complex projects
• Ensure compliance and efficient implementation of the components of Cedar River Watershed (CRW) Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP)
• Serve as a member of the Watershed Management Division’s Leadership Team
• Work Closely with the HCP Program Manager in implementing and reporting on accomplishments of the CRW HCP
• Manage programs contained in CRW Secondary Use Policies Ordinance, CRW Habitat Conservation Plan, SF Tolt Municipal Watershed Management Plan, Watershed Management Division Strategic Business Plan, Invasive Species Management Plan and MIT Settlement Agreement Cooperative Plan
• Provide advise on policy implementation and strategic direction for managing the natural resources of the municipal watersheds
• Follow and lead section in adhering to SPU’s “Promise” to the community, “to provide efficient and forward-looking utility services that keeps Seattle the best place to live.”
• Represent the City on highly sensitive and controversial issues before external constituencies; defuse issues related to City policies and procedures; manage and promote relationships with significant external constituencies; facilitate public involvement processes for policy input and program implementation to resolve issues and to achieve important City objectives.
• Prepare and manage complex ecosystem restoration and associated  technical consultant contracts
• Partner and collaborate with regional educational and research institutions to conduct research and monitoring projects within the municipal watersheds
• Works collaboratively with stakeholders to ensure input and ultimate support for implementation fo watershed programs and projects
• Develop legislation as necessary for implementation of watershed restoration projects
• Ensures compliance with environmental regulations, including the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Forest Practices Act (FPA), Washington State Noxious Weed Law, Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) and the United States Army Corp of Engineering Section 404 permits
• Coordinate with SPU Water Line of Business staff to support environmental compliance and stewardship
• Report to Habitat Conservation Plan Oversight Committee on targeted accomplishments
• Develop and manage work plans, budgets and priorities
• Works closely with other Watershed Managers in meeting strategic objectives and provide support in implementing overall Division programs
• Provide leadership and direction for a full-time staff of five (5) and a seasonal/temporary staff of up to three (3) employees
• Provides leadership and support for the entire Watershed Management Division, as needed

Qualifications

Education Requirement:

• Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management, Forest Management, Environmental Planning, or a related discipline. 

Experience Requirement: 

• Five (5) years of natural resource management experience

A combination of education, training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class will be considered.

License Requirement: A valid WA Driver’s License is required prior to commencing employment.

Desired Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or higher secondary educational degree is preferred
• Experience managing or supporting agreements with State & Federal agencies related to drinking water
• Experience implementing goals to ensure compliance with natural resource requirements, and environmental regulations
• Proven experience working with and understanding hydraulic systems and ecosystem restoration
• Ability to successfully lead and manage teams
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ability to convey complex technical information in engaging and easy to understand ways

Additional Information

Application Package Expectation:
A complete application package, including the following, is required for this position:

• A full SPU online application;
• Supporting documentation, including a current resume and cover letter describing your skills and experience in relation to this position

*An Incomplete Application Package will not be considered*

Work Location
Cedar River Watershed ( ONE-HOUR EAST OF SEATTLE)
19901 Cedar Falls Road SE
North Bend, WA 98045

Workplace Environment (*Telework Expectation):

• Most work is performed at the Cedar River Watershed Headquarters located just outside North Bend, Washington. Due to the ongoing pandemic and related COVID-19 state and local restrictions, we expect this position will require considerable telework/remote office work at least until mid-2021. Even though, some occasional field visits and on-site management may be required to successfully manage project work. We will continue to seek guidance from local public health agencies and will proceed accordingly with any necessary changes or needs regarding “workplace location” expectations.