Restoration Director

Overview Summary

Ecostudies Institute is looking for an organized, detail-oriented leader with broad experience across the full spectrum of land management activities. The Restoration Director will oversee and provide support to a wide variety of projects that advance Ecostudies’ mission of conserving native species and their habitats in ecosystems of Cascadia. Typical activities will include program budgeting, project development, grant and contract compliance, and the development and implementation of habitat management plans, including the control of invasive species, establishment of native grasses and forbs, and the introduction of ecological processes, such as prescribed fire. The restoration director must be able to clearly communicate project goals and regional conservation objectives to the public, partners and volunteers. Applicants should have a keen interest in conservation and a desire to support regional conservation goals through effective and efficient partnerships. This position will serve as a critical interface between restoration activities across programs and serve as a key technical resource for Ecostudies’ habitat management activities and on-the-ground conservation efforts. A successful candidate values a team approach, open and direct communication, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. This position requires a high-level of responsibility, interpersonal skills, a sound work ethic, and positive attitude. Development and maintenance of effective relationships with partners is critical. This position may assist and participate with other programs and is expected to contribute to the overall growth and development of Ecostudies as an organization.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee, coordinate and manage Ecostudies’ restoration program to meet ecological or other habitat enhancement objectives.
• Develop and manage complex program/project budgets and prepare progress/final project reports.
• Develop and implement science-based, targeted plans to conserve the imperiled habitats and species across various ecosystems where Ecostudies works. Develop timeframes for these actions and then complete tasks within the timeframes.
• Support the development of new projects including project scoping, grant writing, budgeting, communications, federal compliance, and partner development.
• Supervise restoration program staff, helping to manage workloads and problem-solve to meet project timelines and deliverables.
• Provide expertise, mentorship, and training to staff involved in restoration activities across programs working on public, private, and Ecostudies – managed properties.
• Build and maintain a vibrant, effective, inclusive, and passionate team atmosphere.
• Communicate successes and lessons learned to partners, staff and the public through written reports, presentations and other methods. Suitable results should also be communicated to the scientific community through published reports or other appropriate means.
• Maintain respectful, reciprocal relationships with government, tribal, and other partners.
• Other duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications:

• BA/BS/AS/Technical or vocational degree in science-related field and five years related experience in natural resources/outdoor management or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated communication, facilitation, training, coordination and management/supervisory experience; Self‐driven and resourceful team player with a proven problem-solving ability.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex workload calmly and competently, including multiple grants, programs, or projects, variable timelines and deliverables, and associated administrative tasks required to meet deadlines and achieve grant/project goals.
• Proven experience developing, writing, receiving, and managing diverse types of grants, including large, multi-year grant awards with multiple tasks and multiple partners
• Knowledge of ecological land management principles, including prescribed burning, and current trends and practices.
• Experience working with or knowledge of natural systems; ability to recognize plant and animal species as required to complete habitat management activities.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal, oral, written communication skills.
• Demonstrated cultural competence and respectful work with people of diverse races, ages, genders, abilities and economic backgrounds.
• Ability to operate various types of equipment in a safe and efficient manner (e.g., tractor, chainsaws, hand-operated gas-powered brush cutters, engine powered chipper/shredder, and other heavy and light equipment)
• Ability to manage time and diverse activities under deadlines while delivering quality results.
• Ability to obtain related licenses or certifications such as first aid, CPR, Washington State pesticide license, driver’s license, Firefighter Type II qualification.
• Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g.; Word, Excel, Web browsers) and familiarity with ArcMap GIS and other database systems.

Preferred Qualifications:
Preference will be given to candidates who, in addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, demonstrate some or all of the following skills/experience

• Master’s degree or equivalent.
• Non-profit experience.
• Experience using GIS (ArcGIS Pro, AGOL, Field Maps, StoryMaps and other applications).
• Knowledge of financial reporting requirements and procedures at the state and federal levels (e.g., Uniform cost principles and administrative requirements for federal awards (2 CFR § 200)).
• Experience with Land Trust Accreditation and Land Trust Standards and Practices.

Working Conditions:

• This position is based in Olympia, WA.
• Regularly works in natural areas. Hikes across, and conducts work within, native habitats and uneven ground. Field work is performed in all weather conditions and often in rough terrain.
• Regularly works indoors in an office setting and sits or stands at a desk or workstation.
• Regularly required to operative an Ecostudies Institute vehicle.
• Uses and supervises the use of pesticides and or other chemical substances.
• Uses and supervises the use of powered equipment such as weed trimmers and chain saws.
• Regularly lifts, positions, or otherwise moves objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• May be requested to work some evenings and weekends and/or travel.

ABOUT ECOSTUDIES

Ecostudies Institute is a 501(c)(3) scientific non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of native species and their ecosystems. We achieve our mission through effective partnerships, sound scientific research, strategic land management and ecological restoration.  At the core of our mission is a cooperative conservation model that strives to realize improved conservation outcomes by developing shared goals and vision through partnerships.  These partnerships, in turn, encourage information transfer, advances in cutting edge restoration techniques, and the development of integrated range-wide conservation approaches. Ecostudies currently employs over 40 permanent and seasonal staff.