Stream Restoration Project Manager

Summary
The Project Manager will assist with the implementation of stream restoration and aquatic organism passage projects through the Watershed-scale Approach to Restoring Stream Systems (WATRSS) Project, which is made possible through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).  The goal of WATRSS is to restore aquatic organism passage to road-stream crossings on private lands. The project is funded through the RCPP, a program of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, with The Nature Conservancy as the lead partner organization for the project.  The position is funded for two years, with potential for extension depending on available funds. The Project Manager will be an employee of the Piscataquis County Soil & Water Conservation District and will report to the Executive Director.

Essential Functions
The project manager will work closely with project partners and private landowners on Aquatic Organism Passage (AOP) projects such as culvert upgrades, dam removals and fishway construction. The majority of the projects are expected to be culvert upgrades; however, a small number of other AOP projects such as dam removal or fishway installations may be undertaken.

Responsibilities & Scope

• Develop and maintain good working relationships with project partners and landowners to accomplish program goals while representing Piscataquis County Soil & Water Conservation District.
• Conduct road-stream crossing assessments and draft reports of site visits.
• Coordinate project applications with the local NRCS field office(s) and landowner(s).
• Assist NRCS engineers with completing stream surveys.
• Assist NRCS with completion of required environmental mapping, permitting, and documentation.
• Assist certain elements of project construction such as fish removal, monitoring endangered species compliance, and monitoring erosion and water control.
• Maintain organized photographs and files to document a portfolio of completed projects.
• Assist with planning and implementation of education/outreach activities to the community related to freshwater ecosystems and stream restoration, including aquatic organism passage projects being completed in Piscataquis County.
• Ability to work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.

Minimum Qualifications

• BA/BS degree in natural resource management, water resources, environmental science, or other science-related field.
• Experience and/or course work in ecology, natural resource management, and restoration of freshwater ecosystems, and of the current trends and practices in conservation.
• Experience communicating effectively with diverse audiences.
• Experience coordinating multiple projects with several variables, setting realistic deadlines, managing timeframes, and completing tasks independently. Excellent organizational skills.
• Experience using common software applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Web Browsers. Experience with GIS software applications and GPS units a plus.
• Proficiency with interpreting maps and aerial photographs to navigate.
• Experience performing physical work in an outdoor setting.
• Valid driver’s license.

Piscataquis County Profile

Piscataquis County, located in central Maine, was incorporated in 1838 and covers 3960 square miles, or 2.53 million acres. The county is the size of the State of Connecticut. There is a population of only 17,000 people, living primarily in the southern section of the county, many of whom depend upon the forests and farm fields for their livelihoods.

Forests cover 98% of the county and the remaining area includes 35,000 acres in farming, including livestock, crops, diverse farming enterprises and sustainable agriculture, and also 258,000 acres of water bodies. Maine’s largest lake, Moosehead Lake, is located in Piscataquis County, as well as the Piscataquis River and more waterfalls than any other county in Maine. There are countless other lakes, ponds, streams, rolling hills, mountains and valleys teaming with native fish and wildlife, including American bald eagles and moose. Mount Katahdin, Maine’s tallest mountain peak at 5,269 feet is located in Baxter State Park in Piscataquis County. There are abundant recreational opportunities, include hiking, snowmobiling, hunting, ATV exploration, boating, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, swimming, cross country skiing, ice climbing, snowshoeing and more. The annual precipitation is about 40 inches and there are about 120 frost-free days. Summer temperatures range from 60-90 degrees and winter temperatures from freezing to -30 degrees.

Piscataquis County is less than 1 hour from Bangor, about 4 hours from Boston and about 1 ½ hours to the ocean. The region is becoming a destination for nature-based tourism, cultural heritage exploration and family fun through its many festivals and events. Piscataquis County derives its name from the Indian word meaning “Rapid or Flowing Waters”, and is a great place to live, work and raise a family because of its natural beauty, small, close knit communities and access to diverse opportunities in the State of Maine.