Overview:
The Big Thompson Watershed Coalition (BTWC) seeks a highly organized, experienced, and motivated self-starter to oversee BTWC’s stream restoration projects and to assist with delivering natural resource planning and community outreach programs. Under the general direction of the BTWC Director, the Stream Restoration Project Manager works with landowners and partners to restore river function and riparian habitat, improve water quality, adaptively manage & monitor stream projects, and build resilience to climate change and other disturbances. The position will participate in and lead stream restoration project identification planning, coordination, management, and monitoring efforts. Additional tasks will include grant acquisition and other funding management, partner and community engagement, and organizational development. Our ideal candidate will have over two years of professional working experience with these tasks in the fields of watershed science, ecological restoration, natural resource stewardship, will have strong project management and communication skills, and will enjoy working with people. Additional training and experience in the following topics will be highly applicable to the job: collaborative planning, stakeholder engagement, conflict resolution, contractor oversight, and western water resource ownership and management. Local knowledge of the Big Thompson River and water system and its diverse water use needs are beneficial to this position. Our ideal start date will be May 15, 2023.
Essential Job Functions:
Project Planning, Management, and Monitoring (55%)
● Organize stakeholder (landowners, partners, and contractors) meetings to collaboratively develop science-based, technical stream enhancement project plans
● Create and implement project plans
● Project management and monitoring:
Partner and Community Relationship Building and Outreach (25%)
● Advance partnerships with federal, state, and local land management agencies, non-profits, landowners, and other stakeholders that expand landscape-scale restoration, move projects forward to completion, and enhance BTWC’s mission
● Represent BTWC at various partner meetings
● Co-organize and lead community engagement opportunities such as volunteer workdays, project tours, project monitoring, and community workshops
● Present project updates and outcomes to various stakeholders, the public, and BTWC’s Board of Directors
● Assist Communications Manager to produce community engagement materials for seasonal newsletter and weekly social media excerpts on BTWC programs, projects, and community events
● Assist with training and supervising student interns
Grant Management and Administration (15%)
● Assist in developing grant proposals to fund projects
● Manage project budgets, control expenditures, and comply with funding requirements
● Assist in the development of consistent grant reporting through organized project documentation
Organizational Administration and Development (5%):
● Assist with developing a strategy and vision for BTWC’s stream and water resources program
● Coordinate other organizational activities with BTWC staff
● Carryout other project coordination tasks as assigned by the Director
Knowledge, Skills, and Experience required:
● Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) and 2 years of experience working in a natural resource/environmental field related to habitat restoration, watershed science, aquatic ecosystems, hydrology, or restoration project management
● Strong project management skills: Well-organized and time-efficient self-starter who is detail-oriented, adaptable, and can prioritize and manage both routine and complex tasks simultaneously
● Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing, with a diversity of people including state, federal, and non-governmental resource professionals, private landowners, industry professionals and other community representatives
● Comfortable leading and facilitating groups of diverse audiences
● Ability to work as an individual and in a team setting
● Practical understanding of western forest ecology (including wildfire behavior) and land management techniques, particularly wildland-urban interface communities, western water resource management, and habitat restoration
● Ability to express compassion in addressing resident/landowner issues and respect requests in relation to property access, monitoring, weed management, sharing digital media, etc.
● Ability to effectively multitask and prioritize tasks
● Ability to resolve challenges or conflicts that may arise in the field and with project partners
● Proficiency in the use of MS Office and GIS software (spatial analysis ability desired)
● Demonstrate a sense of fairness, honesty, practicality and long- range vision
● Ability to pass a background check and must have a valid driver’s license, and reliable, insured personal transportation
Additional desired qualifications:
● Over 4 years of experience working in a professional environment on riparian management projects related to habitat restoration, watershed science, aquatic ecosystems, hydrology, or restoration project management
● Demonstrable knowledge of local geographies and stakeholder interests, watershed issues, collaborative resource management, water and environmental laws, regulatory compliance for watershed projects, and network contacts
● Knowledge of Colorado Front Range flora and fauna, particularly riparian communities
● Experience working with private landowners
● Holds current sawyer certification
● Knowledge and ability to decipher technical site plans, landscape designs and construction documents
● Working knowledge of bid processes, change orders, contracts, etc.
● Experience with environmental permitting and regulations
● Experience working with and leading volunteers in outdoor projects with various weather conditions and on difficult terrain
● Understand group process, group dynamics, meeting facilitation, negotiation, mediation, and group problem solving principles and techniques.
Working Conditions:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Able to work in a standard office setting, with considerable sitting, standing, and viewing of computer
• Mid-level stress
• May include lifting up to fifty (50) pounds of project gear on a frequent basis
• Able to stand, walk and hike for extended periods of time outside, under varying and adverse weather conditions
• Able to work weekend and evenings for various community and volunteer events, as needed
• Could include frequent driving of employee’s personal vehicle under varying road conditions (with mileage reimbursement provided)
• Able to work independently in remote locations where hazardous conditions may be present (including exposure to the elements and construction site conditions, steep, unstable terrain, proximity to fast-moving water, proximity to highway traffic, and typical conditions associated with travel in the foothills and plains of the Rocky Mountain region)
• Willing to follow individual landowner safety and property access requirements
• Ability to troubleshoot when working alone (flat tires, cattle gates, etc.)
The Coalition:
The BTWC was formed as a 501(c)3 to help private and public landowners collaborate 2013 post-flood recovery efforts of the Big Thompson watershed. BTWC is a leader in stakeholder-centered planning and implementation of multi-objective resource management projects that serve diverse needs for the watershed. BTWC maintains an array of partners with shared dedication to stewardship, restoration, outreach, and watershed science. Our fundamental programs focus on Stream and Water Resource Function, Forest Management, and Disaster Recovery. BTWC works across public and private lands and contributes to both local and landscape-scale initiatives to support private landowners, water utilities, local to federal governments, fire districts, special interest groups, research institutes, university programs, the public, and more. We work with affiliated Coalitions in Larimer and Boulder Counties to enhance watershed stewardship across Colorado.
Position Title: Stream Restoration Project Manager
Employment Status: Full-time (dependent on funding)
Location: Local, work-from-home with significant field time in the watershed
Schedule: Mon-Fri with frequent evening, weekend, and in-person community events
Reports to: Director
Pay Range: $50,000 – $54,000 annual salary (depending on experience)
Benefits: 10 paid holidays, 10 paid vacation days (to start), 8 paid sick leave/mental health days with additional comp time policy and $6,000 annual health insurance stipend, all pro-rata
Application Deadline: Opened Until Filled, preferred application submission by Thursday, 4/27/2023.
Email one PDF with a cover letter and full resume (both in one file) to the Director at laura.quattrini@bigthompson.co. Save the file according to this format: “Last Name – BTWC 2022 Stream Restoration Project Manager” Include as the subject of the email: “Last Name – BTWC 2022 Stream Restoration Project Manager”
