Natural Resources Project Manager

The Mason-Lake Conservation District is seeking a Natural Resources Project Manager to lead development and management of ongoing local natural resources projects. This is a fast-paced job as part of a welcoming team in a beautiful area. The majority of work will be related to managing an existing hemlock woolly adelgid program, with the potential for the right candidate to develop other projects, including watershed council development, water quality monitoring and improvements and habitat improvements on private lands. This project is currently funded by grants through the Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program and the US Forest Service Good Neighbor Authority.

Job Status: Hourly, full-time

Term: December 31, 2025; intend to extend dependent on grant funding and the development of a successful for-hire program for private lands projects

Compensation: $25 – $26/hour starting, dependent on experience

Benefits: Paid federal holidays, vacation leave, sick leave, health insurance option and IRA retirement plan with employer match

Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm. Occasional evenings or weekend days

Location: Scottville, MI and surrounding areas

Reports to: Executive Director

Supervises: Crew of 4 people

Start Date: Spring 2025 

Closing Date: Applications received by April 27th will be most competitive. Open until filled.

Position Summary:
The majority of initial work will be related to managing an existing hemlock woolly adelgid program. Over the past several years, the invasive insect hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) has been spreading northward along the west coast of Michigan. This project will be part of an existing collaborative effort between federal, state and local agency partners, to detect and control HWA via chemical treatments and other Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies. Mason-Lake Conservation District is part of the North Country Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (NCCISMA) which works to manage invasive species in western Michigan. The Project Manager’s focus will be to continue current grant-funded HWA field work, maintain HWA partnerships in West Michigan,  expand and implement an HWA for-hire service, to serve private landowners. Field work occurs year-round, and 30-50% of this position may be spent outdoors guiding and assisting a field crew, quoting landowner projects for contract work and completing these contracted jobs. In the office, the Project Manager will be responsible for managing multiple state and federal grants, including planning and tracking project budgets, tracking project progress and large datasets via GIS and google sheets, completing semi-annual grant progress reports, reimbursement requests and permit applications / reporting.

Future project work would hopefully expand to include work in water quality monitoring and remediation, streambank stabilization, tree planting and/or wildlife habitat improvements. This would depend on the applicant’s ability to obtain grant funds or successful contracts with landowners to fund projects. One such application has been submitted, though results are pending.

This “Jack or Jill of all trades” position requires the Project Manager to be a resource for landowners and a bridge between partnering organizations. It requires a proactive approach with local conservation, striking up connections with landowners, local governments and community groups to address natural resources issues at a local level.

Position Duties:

• Plan, coordinate, and participate in day-to-day operations of HWA survey and treatment
• Become well-versed in project background, encompassing invasion history, life cycle, and modes of spread for HWA
• Utilize best practices, following guidance of the HWA Statewide Coordinating Committee
• Collaborate with state and federal partners and other CISMAs for field work
• Obtain and maintain equipment/supplies necessary to complete treatment and survey work
• Hire, train, and supervise a field crew of up to four technicians
• Navigate in the field with print and digital maps, including parcel and aerial maps
• Apply appropriate pesticide applications in the field using tree injection equipment and backpack sprayers
• Follow laws, regulations pertinent to HWA control; apply for permits; report pesticide use
• Ensure accuracy of data collection for survey and treatments conducted
• Obtain written landowner permission for survey and treatment
• Use Google Drive, Excel, ArcGIS, Survey123, and Field Maps to maintain and further develop the current HWA electronic database; create functional maps for various projects
• Act as lead for public engagement related to HWA, including direct landowner consults, and planning and implementing outreach events and trainings for local arborists/tree contractors and landowners as appropriate
• Plan and co-host regional HWA survey and treatment trainings for statewide partner agencies.
• Complete reports to granting agencies, including tracking and achieving grant deliverables
• Manage, plan, and assess spending across multiple overlapping grant budgets; submit reimbursement requests to grantors using online grant platforms.
• Expand and establish an HWA for-hire treatment program in Mason County
• Seek funding to continue the program as needed, and write related grant proposals
• Attend trainings to improve working knowledge on conservation, HWA management, pesticides, grants, leadership, and any other topics relevant provide the best services to our clients
• Actively represent Mason-Lake Conservation District at regional HWA management collaboration meetings when requested to attend

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in natural resources, forestry, biology, or related field AND 1 year of experience in invasive species control, forest management or related work

• Experience developing and coordinating daily work plans and providing leadership for a team
• Michigan Pesticide applicator license (or willingness to quickly obtain) in Core, forestry, right-of-way, and ornamental categories
• Ability to properly identify tree species and forest pests or ability to independently learn quickly
• Expert computer skills and use of Microsoft Office suite and Google Drive
• Familiarity with using handheld GPS units for field navigation and data collection
• Expert skills with data entry, data management and quality control measures
• Must be detail-oriented with strong organizational skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent social and interpersonal skills; relates professionally and effectively to diverse clientele
• Able to collaborate with others as well as motivate others with differing points of view

• Able to lift and carry up to 40 pounds; reach above head; climb in and out of truck or stepladders

• Self-directed, responsible, and highly motivated, able to work independently and as a team leader

• Must have a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record

• Must be willing to work in inclement weather such as rain, snow, and extreme cold or heat and wind while doing physical work such as hiking for extended periods on uneven, steep or slippery terrain while lifting and carrying up to 40 lbs of equipment. This includes walking up and down dunes, navigating through brush, where stinging insects or poisonous plants may be present
• Must possess critical thinking skills, creativity, and a proactive approach to conservation

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in natural resources, forestry, biology, or related field OR 2+ years of experience in invasive species control, forest management or related work
• Experience writing successful grant applications and completing grant reports
• Experience managing project budgets
• Familiarity with CISMAs AND greater than one year of experience in invasive species control, safely applying pesticides or herbicides
• Familiarity with pesticide laws and regulations
• Experience producing maps, managing data in ArcGIS online; creating queries for parcel data
• Experience collaborating on, developing, and delivering conservation education programs to a variety of audiences in diverse settings
• Ability to communicate with a variety of audiences, co-workers, partners while maintaining a positive attitude and good sense of humor are appreciated