Marine Shorelines Senior Program Manager

Nature & Purpose of the Position

The Marine Shorelines Senior Program Manager is a technical position of the Pierce Conservation District (PCD) requiring field work, landowner engagement, technical assistance site visits, nearshore restoration project development and management, and leadership skills.  This position will implement PCD’s Shore Friendly Pierce program. This is a full-time position that reports to the Habitat Improvement Program Director.

The ideal candidate will have a proven knowledge of Puget Sound marine and nearshore ecosystems, extensive project management experience, and a highly motivated work ethic and ability to work cooperatively and positively with members of the public.  They will be committed to producing professional, high-quality work in a fast-paced environment and can handle multiple tasks and priorities at any given time.  This position is an opportunity to work with private landowners, public and non-profit partners, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders to reach regional and local goals set for Puget Sound shoreline armor removal, nearshore habitat restoration, and salmon and orca recovery.

This position also serves as part of a highly-collaborative team, the “South Sound Shore Friendly Collaborative,” which includes Mason and Thurston Conservation Districts. Together the three Conservation Districts maintain a strong partnership that involves mentoring, resource sharing, and project development support to achieve the shared goal of protecting and restoring marine shoreline habitat in South Puget Sound.

About Pierce Conservation District 

Pierce Conservation District is government that works. We work strategically and passionately to conserve and restore the natural resources of Pierce County. Our work improves both rural and urban communities to benefit the health and well-being of our citizens. We work in six core program areas: Farm Assistance, Water Quality Improvement, Habitat Restoration, Urban Agriculture, Climate Resiliency, and Environmental Education. The District works for clean water, healthy soil, salmon recovery and local food access for all. When you join the Pierce Conservation District staff, you join a team of talented and committed people who are mission-driven and care deeply about improving our environment and our community.

Primary Job Responsibilities

The Shorelines Program Manager will work closely with colleagues at Mason and Thurston Conservation Districts to implement the Pierce County component of the South Sound Shore Friendly Program. The Shorelines Program Manager reports to the Habitat Improvement Program Director and will support other Habitat Improvement Program members as needed.  Specific duties of this position include: 

• Manage the “Shore Friendly Pierce” program. Develop and track programmatic budgets and deliverables, collaborate with Mason and Thurston CDs to achieve grant deliverables, coordinate billing and reporting of Shore Friendly Pierce deliverables to Thurston CD (project sponsor) to ensure timely reimbursement and project success.
• Coordinate with existing Shore Friendly programs and local shoreline restoration networks, including participation in monthly regional Shore Friendly program meetings and Shore Friendly South Sound team meetings.
• Create and implement targeted outreach and education opportunities for marine shoreline landowners and other relevant audiences (may include workshops, tours, etc.).
• Conduct site visits and generate technical assistance recommendations and reports as appropriate.
• Provide (or arrange for) technical assistance to advance Shore Friendly practices.
• Develop list of willing landowners and effective projects to improve shoreline habitats.
• Manage shoreline restoration projects through all phases, including initial site assessment, landowner relationship building, identifying and securing construction funding, and management of project design, permitting, construction, and post-construction effectiveness monitoring.
• Represent and advocate for the Pierce Conservation District at groups such as the West Sound Partners for Ecosystem Recovery and other regional partnerships to advance the work of marine shoreline conservation and salmon recovery efforts.
• Maintain “Shore Friendly Pierce” website.
• Follow relevant procedures for procuring consultant and contractor services to support the Shore Friendly Pierce program and development of shoreline armor removal projects, as well as execute and manage contracts.
• Apply for grants, manage grant awards.
• Accurately track project budgets.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate for this position will have a strong knowledge base of marine shoreline processes and Shore Friendly practices.  We are looking for someone who is self-starting and able to work independently.  They will be emotionally intelligent and enjoy working with others.  They will have successful coalition-building and collaboration experience, and an ability to work with landowners and partners with integrity and nuance.  They must be a detail-oriented and a strategic thinker. 

The person in this position should also have:

• A Bachelor’s degree and/or previous work experience in marine science, restoration and/or shoreline ecology, salmon recovery strategies, geology, environmental science, or other relevant topics.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work productively with landowners and partners.
• Extensive restoration project development and management experience.
• Extensive experience applying for and managing grants.
• Experience with permitting processes and regulatory requirements for salmon restoration and/or marine shoreline restoration projects.
• Excellent time management and task prioritization abilities.
• Commitment to and passion for locally-led conservation and Puget Sound recovery.
• Ability to clearly communicate in writing.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office/Office 365 suite of software programs; experience with GIS.

Desired Skills

• Post-Bachelor’s degree and/or previous work experience in marine science, restoration and/or shoreline ecology, geology, environmental science, or other relevant topics.
• Advanced level of GIS competency.
• Understanding of public works project requirements.
• Relevant engineering or geotechnical experience, including but not limited to hiring and working with consultant teams to design restoration projects; overseeing restoration project bidding and awards; overseeing construction management etc.
• Familiarity with social marketing concepts, and experience developing education and outreach materials, passion for inspiring behavior change in private landowners that supports nearshore stewardship.
• Familiarity with current sea level rise science and implications to shoreline environments.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

The Shorelines Program Manager will work in office, remote work, and outdoor environments, with frequent travel to site visits, meetings, and project locations.  Conducting field work may expose the person in this position to typical hazards associated with various types of shoreline and outdoor environments.  This is a full-time, non-exempt position consisting of 40 hours/week.  Position will occasionally require some work on weekends or after regularly scheduled work hours.

Licenses, Certificates & Other Requirements

Valid Washington State driver’s license at time of appointment with maintenance thereafter, or evidence of equivalent mobility.  

Compensation & Benefits

This is a full-time, non-exempt, permanent position with an Annual Salary Range of $73,772-$79,792 (Senior Program Manager, Step 1-3), dependent on qualifications. 

Benefits

Benefits include 100% of premiums paid for medical/dental/vision insurance for you and your dependents, ORCA transit card, as well as accrued paid sick leave, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year (including two personal holidays), and a training budget. 

In lieu of Social Security, PCD participates in a FICA replacement plan through the State Department of Retirement Systems Deferred Compensation Program.

Additional Information

This position is represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Council 2. The current Collective Bargaining Agreement can be found here.

Pierce Conservation District is an equal opportunity employer and encourages people of color and individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply for open positions

First Review of Applications:  September 19, 2025

Projected Interviews to Begin: September 23, 2025

Projected Start Date: October 15, 2025

Contact Information:

Heather Green 
Habitat Improvement Program Director

C: 253.231.0252
HeatherG@piercecd.org