Job Type: Permanent
Salary Details: $25-$32/hour DOE

POSITION PURPOSE/SUMMARY

The Watershed Restoration Project Manager is a grant funded, regular, full-time, hourly employee serving the Grays Harbor Conservation District (District). This position is responsible to the District Board of Directors and is supervised by the Watershed Restoration Program Manager.

Over the past decade, the District Watershed Restoration Program has developed and implemented a diversity of exciting projects, ranging from fish passage barrier removals and floodplain revegetation, to tidal reconnection and reach-scale engineered log jam projects. Using existing grants and partnerships, and a local community focused approach, District staff have identified and developed numerous potential restoration projects with stakeholders that are to be implemented over the next 10 years. Due to this growth in project opportunities, the District is looking for a pro-active project manager who will join our dynamic and creative Watershed Restoration Program team. Not only will this position involve managing ongoing projects (see section below), but the individual will be encouraged to develop projects and programs from the ground up.

The Aquatic Habitat Restoration Project Manager position is primarily based in Grays Harbor, however Grays Harbor and Pacific Conservation Districts are jointly managed, so this position may involve project work in Pacific County. This position is fully funded through at least June 30, 2025. The Watershed Restoration Program team is committed to continuing to secure grant/partnership funds that will support this position on an ongoing basis.

The Watershed Restoration Project Manager also works with District staff to help support other District objectives and activities.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The following is not a comprehensive list. Duties and responsibilities can be added or subtracted as deemed necessary.

Natural Resource Technical Assistance

  • Provide site visits and technical assistance to landowners about topics such as noxious weed management, stream and wetland best management practices, erosion management, native plant recommendations, wetland and stream habitat, local codes and regulations, and water quality best management practices.
  • Connect landowners with other natural resources specialists, agencies and programs that furnish technical/financial assistance, provide public / private partnership funding and offer other incentive programs.
  • Develop planting plans, invasive species treatment plans, and habitat restoration project maps.
  • Data management using programs such as ArcGIS and Smartsheet

Natural Resource Program Collaboration and Project Development

  • Participate in the Chehalis Basin Strategy Aquatic Species Restoration Plan (ASRP) Regional Implementation Teams as a project sponsor representative of the District
  • Collaboratively identify and prioritize aquatic habitat restoration projects for implementation
  • Serve as a contact for partnering agencies such as the Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Ecology, local Salmon Recovery Lead Entities, and private landowners
  • Participate in local and regional restoration related processes as directed
  • Develop enduring positive relationships with landowners to facilitate willingness to design and implement restoration projects and an overall culture of stewardship.
  • Write grant proposals in collaboration with the District team and advocate for proposed projects during the selection process to secure funding for priority watershed restoration projects.
  • Negotiate grant agreements and complete project deliverables as required by grant funding guidelines.
  • Participate in project design processes, providing technical assistance and expertise, survey assistance and design review
  • Apply for and receive state, federal, and tribal permits as needed

Restoration Project Implementation

  • Hire construction contractors and material suppliers in accordance with District procedures and state/federal guidelines
  • Oversee restoration construction of fish passage improvements, reach-scale large woody material supplementations, riparian/floodplain revegetation projects, and other related activities
  • Develop and manage accurate project budgets which range from less than $10,000 to over $2,000,000
  • Manage project effectiveness monitoring
  • Lead on-site construction management during project implementation, which includes but is not limited to: construction inspection, facilitation between the project engineer and contractor, and acting as the project’s contract representative.

District Collaboration and Outreach

  • Promote strong integration across the District’s Watershed Restoration, Forestry, Agricultural, and Outreach Programs when providing technical assistance to landowners and supporting habitat restoration project implementation.
  • Contribute to writing fact sheets and articles and other print or web publications and District services related to stream and wetlands, riparian reforestation, and other habitat restoration topics.
  • Participate in workshops, tours and educational opportunities as needed.
  • Perform work with the highest ethical standards, in accordance with RCWs 42.23.020-070, 42.17, 42.52 and the District personnel policies, providing courteous service.
  • Other related duties as assigned.

This position will involve travel throughout the Chehalis Basin, navigating uneven terrain on foot, working outside in inclement weather, and may involve lifting awkward objects over 50 pounds.

Ongoing Projects

  • Satsop and Wynoochee Early Action Reach Planting and Invasive Management
    • The District is revegetating 100+ acres of riparian floodplain as part of a reach-scale river restoration project with extensive large wood placement.
  • Still Creek Design/Implementation
    • This project seeks to restore natural floodplain processes in order to improve water quality, water quantity, and habitat in the headwaters of a tributary to the West Fork Satsop.
  • Chehalis Basin Strategy ASRP Project Development
    • The District and other partners are currently developing habitat restoration projects in the Lower Chehalis tidal and the southern Olympic Mountains ecological regions for implementation over the next decade.
  • Satsop and Wynoochee Tributary Restoration Strategy and Pilot Project
    • This Strategy and Pilot Project were developed collaboratively with timber landowners to use woody material structures to restore the natural alluvial water capacity of headwater streams in the Olympic foothills. The District will be involved in project effectiveness monitoring and further implementation of the Strategy.
  • Satsop River Mile 2.5-5.0 Design/Implementation
    • This project along the main-stem Satsop River seeks to restore natural river processes through large wood placement and extensive floodplain revegetation. Key project stakeholders include residential and agricultural landowners who are experiencing high rates of erosion.

Required Experience

  • Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant Natural Resource field
  • At least 3 years of prior work experience in a related field
  • Washington State Driver’s License

Desired Experience

(Applicants that can meet at least 3 of the below bullet points will be considered very strong candidates and are encouraged to apply)

  • At least 3 years of experience managing aquatic habitat restoration projects, including but not limited to landowner engagement, contract/budget management, design review, and construction oversight
  • Experience managing budgets over $300,000
  • Experience following contracting and procurement guidelines
  • Experience with the aquatic habitat issues of the Chehalis Basin
  • Experience developing and seeking funding for projects that support process-based aquatic habitat restoration
  • Experience navigating complex permitting and funding guidelines in order to accomplish projects efficiently and on time
  • Experience collaborating with other restoration practitioners, community stakeholders, and landowners around natural resource programs/projects
  • Experience monitoring habitat restoration projects for effectiveness
  • Experience with projects that install large wood material in rivers/streams and restore riparian plant communities
  • Experience managing construction projects
  • A passion for working with communities to implement complex, interdisciplinary restoration projects

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please send a District Employment Application, Resume, and cover letter to:

Tom Kollasch (tkollasch@pacificcd.org) and David Marcell (dmarcell@graysharborcd.org)

District Employment applications can be accessed at: https://www.graysharborcd.org/employment-opportunities/ or a mailed physical copy can be requested by phone or email.

For more information please contact the Watershed Restoration Program Manager, Tom Kollasch at tkollasch@pacificcd.org