The Stormwater Project Manager will bring their years of field experience, design skills, project management to bear in working with partners to design and implement green infrastructure projects in the City of Detroit, with a specific focus of areas in and around Eastern Market. This position will manage both the outsourcing of green infrastructure project pre-development through construction, and a large-scale stormwater master planning effort for the greater Eastern Market district. The successful candidate will also support the team in developing public/private partnerships that result in additional implementation of tangible place-based conservation projects, and provide multiple benefits to people and nature within and surrounding the City of Detroit. This position will report to the Program Manager for The Nature Conservancy’s Detroit Urban Conservation Program, and work and be part of a state-wide team of scientists, policy experts, marketing and development professionals to successfully implement this work.
The Stormwater Project Mana ger plays a key role in leading green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) planning and implementation projects across the City of Detroit. This role will focus on designing and constructing GSI projects that can not only reduce runoff, but can demonstrate a financial benefit to property owners, and a community benefit to surrounding neighborhoods. This position will negotiate and manage all hired consultants and contractors to execute work on behalf of the Conservancy. This position will strengthen the Conservancy’s strategic, scientific, and technical capacity in Detroit, helping to establish methods for not only managing stormwater runoff, but proving these methods as valuable to the overall revitalization of Detroit’s economic, social, and community prosperity as well. Qualified candidates must be able to develop innovative science-based methods, analyses, tools and frameworks to address the green infrastructure needs, engage local community support for local conservation efforts, and negotiate complex and innovative solutions with government agencies and landowners to implement green infrastructure projects that benefit both people and nature within and surrounding Detroit.
Ability to identify sites that would be most optimal for constructing GSI projects
- Ability to identify cost effective and efficient GSI solutions
- Ability to outline and execute a GSI project development process from pre-design to design / implementation
- Understand the benefit of independent and/or centralized stormwater systems to manage, protect, and improve the City’s stormwater infrastructure systems
- Familiarity with the City of Detroit’s Drainage Charge Program, and how green infrastructure practices can be used to lower overall charges on individual proprieties.
- Ability to develop unique and original GSI designs
- Experience with construction management and control, including general contractor oversight and construction observation, to achieve continuity of purpose within scope, budget, and time schedules
- The ability to not only be proficient in the work but to also manage project schedules, budgets, and interface with multi-discipline teams of architects, planners, engineers, as well as develop future phases and plans for applicable projects.
- Review of construction drawings, specifications, and cost estimates
- Review contractor bids
- Experience in project management tools such as development of budget estimates, progress and cost tracking reports, and schedule tracking and reporting
- Experience with project delays due to bad weather or emergencies
- Confer with partners, staff, owners, contractors, and design professionals to discuss and resolve matters such as work procedures, complaints, and construction problems.
- Write technical letters, reports, grant reports
- Assist with grant proposals and business development activities.
- Communicate project experiences by preparing and delivering written and oral presentations about project history, progress, key milestones, and significance in advancing TNC’s urban conservation work to clients, funders, trustees, board, partners, and stakeholders.
RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE
- Programmatic scope may require cross-disciplinary work and relationships both within and outside of the organization.
- Leads and manages teams or projects to support and improve Green Infrastructure efforts.
- Establishes and maintains optimal standards of performance for the department or program while controlling costs and administering budgets.
- Provide mentorship and coaching to colleagues, when applicable.
- Responsible for ensuring that public and private funds are raised to meet program needs.
- Builds cooperation from outside parties to accomplish program goals.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
- Frequently makes independent decision based on analysis, experience, and judgment.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Thorough knowledge of entire project delivery process. Must be comfortable managing the client, the process, and the project team.
- Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including staffing, workloads and finances under deadlines.
- Experience with both municipal, non-profit, and private industry clients with a strong focus on project management and construction quality assurance.
- Experienced in the application of green infrastructure principals to design and construction stormwater management practices for surface structures, streetscapes, parking lots, and subsurface conveyance systems.
- Experience in developing and/or responding to requests for proposal to design and construct stormwater management facilities that incorporate green infrastructure.
- Proficient with MS Office
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
- Must have a valid driver's license.
- Ability to perform field work on active construction sites year-round without restrictions, and in inclement weather if required.
PREFERED QUALIFICATIONS
- PE certification / Licensed Landscape Architect is a plus
- M.S. in Civil Engineering, with focus in Water Resource engineering.
- 7 to 10 Years of experience preferred.
- Proficient with In-Design, Illustrator, HydroCad, and AutoCad.
- Demonstrated experience influencing, developing and implementing conservation policy and plans.
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in relevant discipline(s) and regions.
- Communicate clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
- Politically savvy and experienced in partnership development (partners, community, government).
- Experience working in diverse socioeconomic communities.
- Experienced in the application of green infrastructure principals to design and construction stormwater management practices for surface structures, streetscapes, parking lots, and subsurface conveyance systems in aging urban Midwest cities.
- A proven track record of successful communications with stakeholders, partners, and clients with a high degree of cultural diversity, and a wide range of education.
AUTO SAFETY POLICY
This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with the Conservancy's Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." Please see further details in the Auto Safety Program document available at www.nature.org/careers. Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.