Project Manager

RESPONSIBILITIES: This position will manage a variety of restoration projects, potentially including fish barrier removal projects, floodplain restoration projects, and/or low-tech process-based and beaver-based restoration.

Project Development:

• Plan and carry out restoration projects consistent with MCF’s ecological restoration approach.
• Conduct public and private landowner outreach, site visits, and site assessments to develop restoration projects.
• Engage project partners and stakeholders to support project development, implementation, and outcomes.
• Develop budgets, maps, photos, and site plans to support project planning and reporting.
• Research, identify, and actively pursue funding opportunities, including preparing grant proposals.

Project Management:

• Manage multiple restoration projects, each at different phases of development, implementation and stewardship.
• Monitor grant-funded project activities and ensure deliverables and reporting requirements are met.
• Collaborate with MCF administrative and project staff to approve grant expenditures, review project expenses, and adjust workflow to keep projects within budget.
• Manage communications and coordination with landowners.

Project Implementation:

• Apply for, secure, and manage project permits and permissions.
• Accurately track and document project work and outcomes.
• Develop project specifications and cost estimates.
• Prepare bid packages, solicitations, and scopes of work for consultants and contractors.
• Coordinate with designers and engineers throughout the project design process.
• Communicate and collaborate with landowners, technical teams, design teams, regulators, funders, and other stakeholders.
• Coordinate crews, materials, and tools required for project implementation.
• Oversee contractors and ensure quality construction oversight.
• Work with colleagues to develop and implement innovative restoration techniques.

Other Duties:

• Participate in a variety of internal and external meetings, trainings, and professional development opportunities.
• Direct (but not supervise) seasonal technicians and volunteers. Eventually, the Project Manager may supervise other staff.
• Participate in educational outreach events for adults and children.

Required Skills and Qualifications

Professionalism:

• Able to interact professionally on behalf of MCF with partners, stakeholders, and the public.
• Self-motivated, organized, and capable of managing tasks and projects with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated passion for ecological restoration and dedication to advancing MCF’s mission.
• Communicates clearly in writing and verbally, including presenting information to groups.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for collaborating with co-workers, landowners, funders, and project partners.
• Willing and able to perform all aspects of the job, including other duties as assigned.
• Committed to following safety procedures.
• Will contribute to and support a positive organizational culture
• Understanding of the life cycle and habitat needs of fish native to the Mid-Columbia region, including salmon, steelhead, bull trout and Pacific lamprey
• Able to pass a background check

Project management and technical skills:

• Able to manage multiple projects simultaneously with diverse and changing tasks.
• Able to develop budgets and grant applications.
• Able to use ArcGIS Pro to document sites and create maps, with enthusiasm for developing advanced GIS capabilities

Education and experience:

• Degree in ecology, biology, natural resources, hydrology, stream ecology, geomorphology, or related.
• Minimum one year of professional experience with work similar to that described above.

Field skills:

• Comfortable and able to safely navigate uneven terrain in remote field settings while maintaining situational awareness.
• Ability to safely lift up to 30 pounds of tools and equipment into and out of work vehicles, and to occasionally carry heavy tools and equipment short distances at a worksite.
• Valid WA driver’s license and safe driving record required.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with grant writing.
• Able to evaluate and interpret engineering design plans, construction drawings, and results from hydraulic modeling.
• Understanding of fluvial or groundwater processes and geomorphology, either through formal coursework or independent learning.
• Familiarity with remote sensing and vegetation indices (e.g., NDVI) for habitat or restoration projects, or willingness to develop skills in this area.
• Familiarity with drone use in ecological or restoration projects, or interest in becoming a certified FAA drone pilot.

See the full job posting on our website here.