Restoration and Fire Projects Manager

Job Announcement:  RESTORATION & FIRE PROJECTS MANAGER

Position open until filled, applications will be reviewed starting September 9, 2024.

The Long Tom Watershed Council (LTWC) seeks applicants for the position of Restoration & Fire Projects Manager (RFPM). This new position is responsible for leading all aspects of
coordination, planning, and implementation of oak, prairie, and wetland habitat restoration
projects and provides coordination and leadership in planning and implementing burns as part of restoration projects. Excellent time management and multitasking skills are a requirement. The RFPM is expected to maintain prescribed burn qualifications through either NWCG (FFT2, FFT1, etc) or the Oregon Certified Burn Manager program. The RFPM must be comfortable navigating the complex partnership and regulatory landscape inherent to prescribed fire, and will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. This position works closely with the four other LTWC staff members that comprise the Rural Projects Team.

Position Description: Restoration & Fire Projects Manager
Status: 32-40 hrs/week (0.8-1.0 FTE), Exempt, (will consider 32-36 hours per week prorated) Compensation: $54,000-$62,000 at 1.0 FTE.

Benefits: 

• Health insurance (LTWC currently pays 75% of employee premium +
  20% of dependents paid)
• 401(k) contribution – 8% of salary plus optional employee contribution
• 10 paid holidays plus 10 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) to start (sick and vacation days are combined as PTO)
• Continuing education and training are financially supported in
  alignment with organizational priorities
• $40/month stipend for use of personal cell phone

Background
The Long Tom Watershed Council (LTWC) is a nonprofit organization serving the Long Tom River Watershed and Upper Willamette Watershed in Lane and Benton Counties, an area
approximately 450 square miles, mostly held in private ownership. LTWC was formed in 1998 in response to a call for local voluntary restoration action as part of the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds. Council history, mission, and program information is available on our website: https://longtom.org/

General Description
This position is responsible for managing, implementing, and developing habitat restoration
projects of the LTWC primarily in uplands (oak, prairie, and wetland) habitats. Project
management duties include project layout and design, contractor selection and hiring, budget tracking, grant reporting, monitoring/surveying, and communicating/ coordinating with diverse project partners. A key responsibility of this position is coordinating and participating in prescribed fire implementation as a central component of uplands restoration and stewardship projects. The candidate will either come with prescribed fire qualifications (preferred) or be willing to obtain such qualifications within a year of hire. Strong communication and interpersonal skills are essential. The position may also support project management of riparian and aquatic restoration projects as part of the LTWC Rural Habitats Team.

The Council only recently began incorporating prescribed fire into habitat restoration projects, recognizing the importance of restoring this process to fire-dependent ecosystems. Maintaining relationships and supporting Indigenous-led fire initiatives with Indigenous partners and area Tribes as the original stewards of the land is a critical piece of this effort. The Council does not currently have a cache of prescribed fire equipment or a dedicated prescribed burn crew – rather, we partner closely with regional partners and community members to implement burns. flexibility, creativity, and maintaining relationships with regional partners and landowners to establish cooperative agreements and secure resources on burn days is critical to effective burn implementation. Because the LTWC is growing its literacy and engagement with the cultural contexts of stewardship, particularly pertinent to Tribal interests and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), experience in, or openness to, exploring these concepts and building relationships to propel this area of work is essential. Tribal sovereignty and partnerships, decolonizing, and DEIJ are central priorities to LTWC, and all program areas are expected to support, integrate, and enhance these efforts across all areas of our work.

Because of the seasonal timing of prescribed burning, plant community monitoring, and other stewardship activities, work may occur on weekends, early mornings, and evenings. Expect to undertake indoor and outdoor activities that require long hours of field work or significant desk time. Arduous days in hot, cold, smoky, and rainy conditions should be expected. Outdoor activities will include navigating work sites with hazards that could include poison oak and steep and uneven terrain. A valid driver’s license, auto insurance, and the use of a personal vehicle for transportation to project and meeting sites are required as driving is an essential function of the position. Mileage is reimbursed. With approval, some remote work is allowed , but the RFPM will be expected to maintain a presence at the LTWC office to build comradery with teammates. Local travel to project sites in LTWC’s service area is necessary throughout the year. The position requires essential functions of bending, stooping and an ability to lift 35 pounds for tasks such as dispersing seeds from a backpack broadcaster, carrying jugs of fuel during prescribed burn operations, and installing survey stakes. Occasionally, the position may call for lifting up to 50 lbs as a non-essential function.

FULL JOB DESCRIPTION AND QUALIFICATIONS LISTED AT https://longtom.org/rfpm/