Restoration Program Manager

About Solano Resource Conservation District

Solano Resource Conservation District (Solano RCD) is a special district to the State of California that works closely with a variety of local and regional partners to enhance and protect Solano County watersheds through strategic restoration activities, water education and outreach programs, and by offering conservation planning and watershed coordination services to local residents and landowners. Solano RCD staff and its Board of Directors strive toward excellence, equity, inclusion, collaboration, and appreciation in the work performed and welcome candidates who share these same values.

Position Summary

Solano RCD currently has one vacancy for a Restoration Program Manager. Solano RCD is looking for a dynamic individual with habitat restoration management experience and leadership skills to join our enthusiastic and passionate team to lead and manage our habitat restoration staff in implementing resource conservation projects across a variety of habitat types in Solano County. The person selected for this position will report to the Solano RCD office in Dixon, CA.

The Restoration Program Manager is responsible for overseeing the efficacy of all the projects within the program.  The Restoration Program Manager will lead and work on a team to develop projects and funding for projects through writing grant proposals and establishing partnerships. The Restoration Program Manager serves a key leadership role on partnership and funding initiatives and in providing guidance and oversight to staff to ensure consistency, quality, and alignment across all projects within the program.

The applicant will work under the direction of the Executive Director and in collaboration with Project Managers, Restoration Coordinators, and Restoration Technicians to oversee the implementation and management of over 25 habitat restoration projects throughout Solano County. Projects include restoring wildlife habitat in riparian areas and open space parks, planting native tree, shrub and pollinator hedgerows on farmland edges, excluding livestock from waterways, conducting invasive weed control, and working with landowners and agencies on water quality monitoring and improvement projects.

The person in this position must be civic-minded and enjoy interacting with diverse communities; work well with a dynamic and collaborative team, as well as independently; and have strong time management and organization skills.

 Work Hours

To perform assigned duties, the employee will be required to work mostly day hours in the field and in the office. The regular work time will occur within the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm Monday through Friday, with periodic night and weekend obligations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

This position will spend time in the field and applicant must have the ability to lift up to 50 pounds and work in outdoor wildland settings, including stooping, bending, lifting, operating equipment, and hiking long distances. Work in outdoor wildland settings may result in exposure to insects and wildlife, temperature extremes, and inclement weather.

Specific responsibilities and approximate time allocations are as follows:

Project Management (40%)

• Oversee and implement all aspects of habitat restoration projects. Work includes reducing weed populations, planting native plants, and improving habitat for native wildlife species. This position will also be responsible for budgeting, contracting, invoicing, overseeing installation, and assisting in related field work.
• Develop environmental documents, manage permitting for restoration or conservation activities, and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Develop conservation and restoration plans and maps for Solano County landowners and public agency partners using ArcGIS or comparable software.
• Attend regular internal staff, scheduling, and project work group meetings and weekly check-ins with Executive Director.
• Organize and oversee volunteer workdays including propagation of native plants, installation of drip irrigation systems, mulch, tree, shrub, and plug planting and monitoring and maintenance workdays.
• Coordinate and/or conduct wildlife monitoring on habitat restoration implementation and management sites throughout Solano County.
• Prepare and deliver presentations to diverse groups including project partners, funders, interest groups, and the SRCD Board of Directors.
• Work with landowners and partners to create conservation plans and connect landowners to funding and additional resources.

Program Management and Staff Leadership (40%)

• Lead the restoration program including providing direction to habitat restoration and wildfire work while ensuring consistency and quality across all projects.
• Actively manage staff and provide direct leadership, staff mentorship and quality control for program implementation.
• Supervise permanent or seasonal staff and provide mentorship, performance feedback, and professional development opportunities to others.
• Lead annual budget development process for the restoration program.
• Identify program needs and participate in innovations such as improvements in management, procedures, and professional development for staff that improve the program.
• Review project scopes, work plans, and deliverables prepared for projects within the program.
• Manage weekly field schedules and task management for the restoration team.

Administration and Miscellaneous (20%)

• Manage and administer grant funds. Work includes grant contracting, site design, quarterly progress reports, and quarterly invoicing.
• Lead in representing and supporting the restoration program including, annual budget planning and forecasting, staff structure, recruitment, and hiring.
• Identify and lead pursuit of grant opportunities, manage project budgets, and ensure financial responsibility.
• Lead and work as a team member in writing grants to state and federal agencies for targeted habitat restoration and watershed assessment grant projects.
• Collaborate with other local conservation partners to facilitate decision making and policy setting activities in the greater Solano County region and coordinate District involvement and assistance in a variety of programs and activities with NRCS and other resource agencies.
• Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director or Deputy Executive Director.

Minimum Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience demonstrating knowledge in one or more of the following categories; watershed stewardship, natural resource management, hydrology, soil science, native plant and animal communities, restoration ecology, fisheries, forestry, water resources and conservation, or a similar field.
• Proven experience in high-level budget management, including the ability to develop, track, and merge multiple project and staff budgets into a comprehensive annual program budget.
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience, with the ability to manage a diverse team, provide professional mentorship, and oversee program-wide quality control.
• Advanced proficiency in financial forecasting and grant administration, including experience managing large-scale state or federal funding and ensuring long-term financial sustainability.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex conservation projects; direct experience or transferable skills are acceptable.
• High level knowledge of ecological restoration principles, invasive species control (mechanical/chemical), and native plant identification.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work with a variety of community members with diverse cultural backgrounds, worldviews, interests, and temperaments.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite (advanced Excel preferred), and/or a demonstrated ability to learn new programs/systems.
• Highly organized, motivated self-starter with the ability to prioritize and delegate in a fast-paced work environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively on a team as well as independently.
• Ability to occasionally walk on rugged terrain or in creeks, walk or stand for extended periods of time, lift and carry supplies, and use hand-held equipment during all seasons.
• Innovative problem-solving abilities, flexibility, and a strong desire to learn.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Valid California driver’s license.

Experience required: 15 years of relevant professional work in topics such as habitat restoration, field ecology, resource management, wildfire prevention and post-fire recovery, etc. Previous project management experience required. A graduate degree may be substituted for two years of experience.

Desired Qualifications

• Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in related field.
• Experience developing and organizing meetings and workshops virtually, in the classroom, and in the field.
• Basic understanding of the natural and cultural history of Solano County and the water resources of the region.
• The ability to speak, read, and/or write in a language other than English.
• Proficiency with commercial and open-source platforms, primarily ArcGIS (Pro, Enterprise, Online) or QGIS.

Conditions of Employment

• Must be able to work in a variety of environments, including sitting inside at a computer for long periods of time, and standing/walking outdoors in extreme temperatures as well as on uneven terrain.
• Must be a team player with the ability to work with staff, Board members and local landowners who have a diverse range of backgrounds, motivations and interests.
• Must have and maintain a valid California Class C Driver’s License and have personal liability insurance.
• Must be able to lift, bend, stoop, kneel, and carry heavy objects up to 50 pounds.
• Employment at the Solano RCD is at-will employment. Employment at-will may be terminated with or without cause and with or without notice at any time by the employee or the District.

Compensation and Benefits

This position is an exempt, 100% full-time equivalent position, with consideration given to candidates seeking > 80% time employment. Solano RCD’s current compensation rate for full time Program Managers ranges from $98,687 – $114,708 per year. There are eight steps within this salary range and the successful applicant’s starting position within this range will be based upon experience and education.  There are medical, dental, vision, and vacation benefits included as part of employment. Retirement benefits are available upon completion of a six (6) month probationary period.