Habitat Program Manager

Austin Community College; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance compensation

Participation in RCD 457 retirement plan

Phone stipend

Paid holidays

Paid time off

Job summary

A resource conservation organization in San Diego is seeking a Program Manager to oversee habitat restoration programs. Responsibilities include project management, grant writing, and community outreach. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree in ecology or a related field and extensive experience in conservation efforts. This position offers a flexible schedule, partially remote work, and a strong benefits package including health insurance and paid time off.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in managing projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to supervise staff and ensure project deliverables.
• Experience in a conservation-focused work environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee habitat restoration projects and ensure compliance.
• Develop new projects and secure funding.
• Organize outreach events and maintain communication with partners.

Skills

Project management

Grant writing

Stakeholder engagement

Organizing educational events

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor’s degree in ecology or related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Excel

Job description

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The Resource Conservation District (RCD) of Greater San Diego County connects people to resources that strengthen the land, wildlife, and communities. We work across the majority of San Diego County on a variety of program areas, including wildfire resilience, climate‑smart agriculture, education, pollinator habitat, and community garden management.

Through its habitat‑focused programming, the RCD collaborates with a range of partners and land managers to facilitate projects that restore or enhance habitat for beneficial wildlife. This includes habitat restoration for threatened butterfly species as well as landscape‑based restoration projects. In addition to on the ground restoration, the RCD also coordinates outreach and activities at the community level.

The Program Manager is responsible for day‑to‑day oversight of the RCD’s habitat‑focused programs, including grant writing and reporting, implementation, evaluation of deliverables, and staff supervision. They will also collaborate with other RCD program managers and the Executive Director on strategic planning and program development and implementation for these programmatic areas. The Program Manager is expected to develop and maintain good working relationships with diverse community stakeholders, organizations, and local resource agencies, and to represent the District at public events, meetings, and functions.

The Habitat Program Manager’s core work areas are as follows:

Habitat Programs (80%)

• Manage and oversee all aspects of conservation and restoration projects, which may include habitat restoration design, planning, permit acquisition, implementation, project oversight, project verification, monitoring, contractor hiring and oversight, reporting, materials and supplies acquisition, and on‑site consultation.
• Ensure compliance with project requirements for reporting and invoicing.
• Coordinate and collaborate with a broad array of RCD partner organizations, agency staff and landowners.
• Collaborate with the RCD’s agriculture team to support programs that include habitat elements.
• Coordination of community‑focused pollinator habitat programs, supporting collaboration and project development.
• Development of new projects and funding sources to support habitat restoration, biodiversity, and outreach.

Outreach and communication (20%)

• Work across RCD teams to organize events and workshops; designing event fliers and outreach materials to promote habitat‑related programs and activities.
• Ensure programs are represented in RCD communications (website, newsletters, social media).
• Maintain communication with existing partners, reaching out to stakeholders to develop new relationships, and representing the RCD at meetings or workshops.

Position requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in ecology, resource management, or related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Four years or more of previous work experience in a restoration‑focused environment.
• Experience in staff supervision.
• Strong project management skills, including partner coordination and ensuring deliverables are met on time and within budget.
• Experience with grant writing and working on grant‑funded projects.
• Experience in organizing and facilitating educational events, workshops, and stakeholder meetings.
• Active professional interest in ecology, agriculture, and environmental conservation.
• Enjoys educating and building relationships with stakeholders.
• Physically able to perform field work during all seasons and some inclement weather.
• Possess a current, valid California driver's license.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Punctual, reliable and professional.
• Creative, sense of humor, “can do” spirit, flexible, passion for learning.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with NRCS conservation practices and federal and state conservation funding programs.
• Experience monitoring the impact of restoration projects.
• Experience with environmental compliance and permitting for restoration projects.
• Knowledge of land management practices to support pollinators.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is a plus but not required.

Compensation and Benefits

• 32 – 40 hours per week
• Benefits include:
  • Health insurance compensation in lieu of health care
  • Participation in RCD 457 retirement plan
  • Phone stipend of $50 per month
  • Thirteen paid holidays and thirteen days of paid time off (PTO) in your first year of service, rising to eighteen days after the first year (pro‑rated if less than 40 hours)

Schedule and location

Working hours are generally flexible within normal business hours (between 8 AM – 5 PM). Workshops and virtual events may occur outside of normal working hours. Work is partially remote, with field visits at least one day per week and office meetings at least one day per week. The main RCD office is located in Lakeside. Workshops and field visits occur throughout San Diego County.

To apply

Submit a resume and cover letter explaining your interest in the position and why you are a good fit by Friday November 28, 2025. Application may be emailed to an. [e-mail] . Please call 619‑562‑0096 with any questions.

The RCD is an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or protected veteran.