Habitat Project Manager

The California Deer Association (CDA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to enhance native deer and other wildlife populations across the state of California through habitat restoration projects. Land-use practices, climate change, and fire suppression over the last century have resulted in substantial degradation of critical forest and wetland habitats. CDA partners with private, local, state, and federal landowners to improve and restore conditions across several habitat types. Our restoration treatments address a variety of objectives, including restoring ecosystem structure and function, reducing hazardous fuel loads, removing encroaching conifer and invasive species, and mitigating post-wildfire impacts. Projects generally entail either hand or mechanized treatment, including but not limited to canopy thinning, understory thinning, mastication, and prescribed burning.

Description: The Project Manager will report to the Program Manager and will be responsible for working with contractors, landowners, and CDA staff to coordinate the successful preparation and implementation of ecological restoration projects. Responsibilities will include overseeing contract crews and/or the CDA staff as they perform their tasks, inspecting work for quality assurance, ensuring compliance with specifications and protection measures, project site monitoring, and progress reporting. This job will be primarily field based with most of the work time spent at job sites performing duties listed below. The work will be performed in forested environments where terrain may be uneven, rocky, and covered with thick vegetation. Climatic conditions range from extremely hot and dry to extremely cold and wet. Rain, snow, wind, or dust may be encountered. The work involves regular and recurring risks or discomforts that require safety precautions or the use of personal protective equipment such as boots, gloves, goggles, and hard hats. The CDA headquarters office is based in Redding, California, however, this role is primarily located in the Eastern Sierra. Frequent regional travel is required to support projects, fieldwork, and other stakeholder engagement. Occasional travel outside the region will also be necessary.  There may be opportunities to perform office duties from a satellite office and/or from home.

Essential job duties will include:

• Management of contractors performing restoration implementation, including hand and mechanized treatment
• Providing oversight for field crew(s) performing unit layout and other activities to prepare for project implementation
• Performing field reconnaissance, data collection, and project layout/design using the ESRI mobile GPS data collection application Field Maps
• Proficiency in GIS mapping and data management, preferably with the ESRI suit of GIS software
• Performing quality assurance/quality control to ensure project deliverables are being met
• Collaborate with the Program Manager and/or CDA Team on project development, planning, and identifying partnership opportunities
• A high level of physical fitness to hike long distances in uneven terrain and varying weather conditions (ability to hike up to 5-10 miles with a 30–40-pound pack daily)
• Driving long distances and navigating 4×4 drive roads
• Regular overnight project travel. Possess skills suitable for working and camping in remote and rugged outdoor environments with variable weather, sometimes alone
• Assistance with grant writing and applications, outreach, and other administrative tasks as required
• Engage with CDA Development Staff, chapters members, and community members to support chapter development, volunteer engagement, youth events, etc.
• Develop and produce outreach materials in partnership with CDA Marketing Team that communicate habitat program project work to promote awareness and participation
• Willingness to work flexible hours to accommodate field days and travel when necessary. Other duties as assigned by the Program Manager, Habitat Program Director, or other management staff

Required Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree in a natural resource related field with 2-3 years OR 6+ of experience in a natural resource related field
• Understanding basic forestry principles and forest mensuration techniques
• Ability to hike long distances across difficult terrain and in varying weather conditions
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• The ability to use a hand-held GPS device and data recording devices such as a tablet
• Must have a valid driver’s license, a clean driving record, and experience 4×4 driving
• Organizational and record keeping skills for regular progress updates
• Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing. Ability to listen to safety and operational instructions
• Equal ability to work independently and cooperatively as a team
• Working proficiency with GPS data collection systems, preferably ESRI Field Maps or Avenza Maps
• Proficiency in GIS mapping and data management, preferably with the ESRI suit of GIS software

Preferred experience:

• Previous experience in a demonstrated resource specialization such as rangeland management, hydrology, soils, wildlife, forestry, or related natural resource discipline
• Passionate for environmental conservation and restoration
• Knowledge of USDA Forest Service timber sale prep and/or administration protocols
• Knowledge of diverse California wildlife and ecology
• Wildland Firefighter Type 2 Red Card