Riparian Stewardship Resource Specialist

(2 Openings)

Job Summary:

KCD’s Riparian Stewardship Resource Specialists serve as technical members of a team and are responsible for coordinating and delivering services for KCD’s Urban and Rural Riparian Stewardship Programs, which promote voluntary conservation activities along privately-owned freshwater shorelines to enhance water quality and wildlife habitat. These positions also facilitate enrollment and service delivery of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), a joint federal and state funded program administered in partnership between the Farm Service Agency (FSA), the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Washington State Conservation Commission (WSCC), and conservation districts. These positions manage a portfolio of restoration projects, adding new projects annually and working with riparian program support staff to coordinate the monitoring and maintenance of existing projects. Other primary responsibilities include working independently and collaboratively with the Riparian Stewardship Team and other King Conservation District teams to provide technical assistance services to King County landowners with freshwater aquatic resources and community groups with a riparian stewardship focus. These positions provide technical assistance and project implementation services to both urban and rural residents to improve natural resource stewardship and promote water quality and wildlife habitat enhancement activities. Project implementation may be achieved through a District implementation approach or by helping to provide project funding and resources for externally managed projects. In most cases, projects are District implemented via the use of professional contractors or a KCD-sponsored Washington Conservation Corps Crew. Funding and program requirements for project implementation may include KCD’s cost-share program, the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), and other relevant incentive and grant programs as available. These positions are responsible for contracting projects, project budget management, planning and coordination of project activities, and ensuring that all relevant permits are successfully acquired for District implemented projects.

Work is usually varied with complexity and involves routinely applying advanced principles and concepts in day-to-day work. Actions are typically short and mid-term and focused on what and how. These positions help leadership to plan program goals and objectives.

Program Responsibilities:

• The following list of duties is intended as an illustration of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the responsibilities of the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
• Promote KCD’s Riparian Stewardship Programs to urban and rural residents within the boundary of the District and identify project sites.
• Work collaboratively with internal teams, such as the KCD Farm Services Team and Forestry Stewardship Team, and external partners and stakeholders to identify riparian restoration opportunities.
• Develop riparian buffer enhancement plans and manage all aspects of riparian buffer project implementation for District implemented projects. Project management responsibilities will include designing and planning projects, acquiring necessary permits and approvals, procuring project materials, directing installation of planned projects, completing project administrative tasks, performing data management and retention practices, and coordinating project maintenance.
• Direct and coordinate the work of a KCD sponsored Washington Conservation Corps crew and professional crews to implement riparian habitat projects either directly, or in conjunction with, the Riparian Field Operations Coordinator
• Assist the Field Operations Specialist with onboarding and training a KCD sponsored Washington Conservation Corps crew as needed.
• Work in conjunction with the Riparian Program Assistant to monitor projects for up to 5 years following project implementation and adapt project maintenance plans to ensure project performance standards are met.
• Work collaboratively with other members of the Riparian Team to accomplish riparian project and riparian program-related goals and tasks, including seasonal support for the KCD Wetland Plant Cooperative/Nursery Program and Bareroot Plant Sale.
• Manage grant funding and prepare applications for new funding to support strategic/special projects. Activities include preparing grant applications, maintaining grant activity records, preparing cost-share contract reconciliations, and preparing grant invoice vouchers.
• Manage project budgets and activities to meet calendar year work plan objectives.
• Oversee and coordinate maintenance of all projects and CREP program administration records.
• Activities include establishing, retaining, and updating all hard copy and electronic contract records and all documentation related to project activities.
• Provide site specific technical assistance to help landowners and residents protect and enhance water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and aquatic and upland areas. Activities include conducting site assessments; documenting landowner goals and resource concerns; providing recommendations for natural resource conservation actions in the form of written and/or verbal prescriptions and technical specifications; and assisting landowners with obtaining practice implementation funding.
• Develop and support District partnerships with agencies, organizations and other entities involved in watershed restoration activities and leverage District resources to expand the reach of the Urban and Rural Riparian Stewardship Programs.
• Assist the Education Team with coordinating and delivering riparian habitat stewardship education events, including virtual and in-person presentations and field tours. Activities include preparing and delivering presentations and leading field discussions and activities.
• Provide support for volunteer events associated with District riparian restoration projects. Activities include selecting locations and defining the scope and scale of events; and assisting with day-of-event volunteer coordination as needed.
• Collaborate with the District Engagement Program Staff on the development of relationship building strategies to improve partnerships with Member Jurisdictions.
• Work collaboratively with a diverse population, using educational concepts and approaches along with persuasive skills to present information to non-technical audiences.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Operates with autonomy in many situations. Initiates or acts at own discretion. Has discretion to set own priorities. May seek guidance as to general results expected on new and complex assignments.
• Generally uses own judgement when resolving issues or making decisions. Investigates problems independently and communicates findings to others. Decides on a solution and discusses with others before proceeding.
• Facilitate and support the work of community-based partners, providing materials and resources necessary to communicate with them and solicit feedback.
• Less than 5 percent of job duties may be combines with other duties as required by the district.
• Must be competent in reading, writing, speaking, hearing, and understanding the English language.
• Adept with all office equipment, including computers and printer/scanner/copiers, and able to use network servers, the Internet, and e-mail effectively and responsibly as a government employee.
• Adept with Microsoft Office software, including Excel, Teams, and SharePoint, and other applications, such as Zoom and Smartsheets.
• Working knowledge of ArcPro.
• Good communication and multi-tasking skills required for interaction with coworkers, Board members, agency partners, community members, and landowners/operators.
• Ability to work a full-time schedule with overtime if needed with prior approval.
• Work weekend days and weekday evenings up to 2 times per month to support volunteer, education, outreach, and partner events.

Education and Experience:

• 4-5 years’ experience and Certification and/or bachelor’s degree in environmental science or closely related technical/natural resources field or an associate degree in combination with natural resource management experience.
• Extensive knowledge of terrestrial/plant ecology, best management practices for upland and riparian natural resource management, salmon habitat protection and restoration, and critical area regulations.
• General knowledge of related disciplines.
• Considerable professional/technical experience and skills. Demonstrated ability to routinely advise others in areas of expertise.
• Experience designing, implementing, and managing riparian restoration projects, including tracking and managing project budgets.
• Experience preparing, making, recording, and reporting herbicide applications and ability to obtain a Public Pesticide Applicator license (with aquatic and cropland license endorsements) from the Washington State Department of Agriculture.
• Ability to obtain Natural Resources Conservation Service certification/designation as a Level III conservation planner within 3 years of hire.
• Demonstrated success providing support to BIPOC and/or underserved communities.
• Current Pacific Northwest riparian restoration experience is preferred.
• Experience working with private landowners is preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Position requires a combination of office and field work. Approximately 2 days per week may be spent in the field for up to 6-8 hours per day.
• Ability to work in extreme weather conditions and on variable terrain.
• Ability to regularly drive throughout King County and occasionally the state using a district vehicle.
• A Washington State Driver’s license is required when driving district vehicles.
• Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds at times.

Full-Time, Salary Position:

These positions will start at the hiring Grade of 26, Step 1, currently at $75,287.58. After passing a successful 6-month probation, candidates will automatically move to step 2 within the salary band.

Benefits:

The District offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid vacation and holidays, medical and dental, a nominal life insurance policy with the option to increase coverage at employee’s expense, support for trainings, and participation in the State of Washington Retirement System (PERS).

Work Schedule:

Full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday work schedule. Some weekend and evening work is occasionally required.

Office Location:

800 SW 39th Street, Suite 150, Renton, WA 98057

King Conservation District is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer: No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.

To Apply:

If you are interested in pursuing this position, please apply by applying on Indeed with the following materials:

1. A resume.
2. A cover letter, describing as specially as you can how your experience, skills, and values are a fit with King Conservation District’s goals and mission as described in this announcement.
3. A brief personal equity statement, describing your skills and experience engaging with issues involving diversity, racial equity and inclusion in organizations. This statement should not exceed 300 words.