The Watershed Restoration Specialist advances the Conservancy’s river and stream connectivity priorities in Maine by supporting restoration planning, prioritization and monitoring, by coordinating outreach efforts with a diverse set of stakeholders, and by facilitating the implementation of high-priority restoration projects.
The Watershed Restoration Specialist provides technical leadership and support to the Maine chapter of The Nature Conservancy by planning, prioritizing, coordinating and implementing river and stream restoration projects at the watershed scale. Projects will primarily address barriers to aquatic organism passage, including road-stream crossings and tributary and main-stem dams, and may also include floodplain restoration. The Watershed Restoration Specialist will develop and implement strategies, employ a full range of restoration tools, and actively engage and coordinate a broad range of public and private partners, including NGOs, agencies, municipalities and large landowners. S/he will work to garner public support from local communities for restoration projects, assist in efforts to secure public and private funding, and support development of engaging communications materials. S/he will also foster cross-site learning within the state, region and broader conservation community.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Gains cooperation from outside parties to accomplish program goals.
- Financial responsibilities will include managing a budget to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors, assisting with budget development, and meeting fundraising targets.
- Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
- Under minimal supervision, makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and judgment.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience and/or course work in ecology, management, and restoration of freshwater ecosystems, and of the current trends and practices in conservation.
- Experience negotiating complex agreements.
- Experience communicating effectively with a diversity of partners in government, non-profit and business organizations and with the general public.
- Experience coordinating multiple projects with several variables, setting realistic deadlines, managing timeframes and completing tasks independently.
- Experience using common software applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Web Browsers.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in science-related or natural resource management-related field and 5-7 years’ experience, or equivalent combination. Graduate degree preferred.
- Specialization in habitat restoration, freshwater ecology and/or fisheries conservation is particularly desired. Experience with GIS software applications a plus.
- Excellent communication skills via written, spoken and graphical means and ability to explain conservation practices to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Experience with the State of Maine and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permitting process a plus.
- Experience designing, negotiating and managing contractual agreements.
- Experience in community outreach and training