Klamath Project Manager

The Nature Conservancy; United States; On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing available

Job summary

The Nature Conservancy seeks a Klamath Project Manager to lead streamflow restoration and water management projects in the Klamath Basin. You will collaborate with farmers, irrigation districts, tribes, and agencies to implement voluntary strategies that support agricultural viability while improving aquatic habitat.

You will guide planning, contracting, design, monitoring, and reporting, coordinating with staff and external partners to secure support and ensure program success.

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree with 5+ years of conservation project experience.
• Experience managing complex projects, staffing, workloads and budgets under deadlines.
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, communities, and government agencies.
• Experience negotiating.
• Strong written and verbal communication; ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Experience using MS Word and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage conservation projects within the Klamath Acquisition Program.
• Establish and maintain budget standards and monitor costs.
• Help raise public and private funds to meet project needs.
• Communicate effectively with a broad range of audiences.
• Coordinate with partners, agencies and landowners to advance restoration goals.
• Ensure program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.

Skills

Project management

Partnership development

Negotiation

Communication

Public speaking

Leadership

Word processing

Excel

Education

BA/BS degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Web Browsers

Job description

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Klamath Project Manager develops, manages, and advances innovative streamflow, agricultural water management, and riparian restoration projects that improve river flows and restore freshwater habitat across working agricultural landscapes in the Shasta and Scott River watersheds of the Klamath Basin within TNC's California Business Unit (BU). This position requires experience working collaboratively with farmers and ranchers, irrigation districts, tribes, and agency partners to identify and implement voluntary water management strategies that enhance instream flows while supporting the long-term viability of agricultural operations. The Project Manager will apply a full range of conservation tools, including scientific and engineering approaches, water transaction and acquisition strategies, irrigation and land management improvements, project management, negotiation, contract administration, and budget management to advance the objectives of the Klamath Acquisition Program.

The Klamath Project Manager provides technical leadership and support to the Klamath Acquisition Project within the California chapter's Healthy Rivers strategy by planning, directing and implementing projects including planning, project scope, grant proposals and reporting, contracting, design, implementation, monitoring, and maintenance. The position plays a key role in identifying and advancing opportunities on working lands that change water management, increase streamflow, and enhance aquatic habitat while maintaining productive agricultural operations. They develop and implement conservation strategies, employ a full range of protection tools to acquire varying degrees of legal interest in land and implements a variety of strategies to secure public and private support for TNC conservation priorities. They coordinate community support, facilitate advisory committees, and build relationships with public and private organizations to identify and resolve restoration issues, widely communicate solutions, and gain support for acquisition and restoration strategies in the Klamath.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Geographic scope is the Klamath River Watershed with a focus on the Scott and Shasta Rivers in Siskiyou County, California.
• Leads and manages conservation projects.
• Establish and maintain optimal standards of performance for the program while controlling costs and administering budgets.
• Assist with ensuring that public and private funds are raised to meet project and program needs.
• Financial responsibility may include working within/managing a budget to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors, and assisting with budget development.
• Be able to communicate effectively to a broad range of audiences.
• Ability to work independently and effectively while meeting rigorous deadlines.
• Builds cooperation from external parties to accomplish program goals.
• Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
• Under minimal supervision, makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.

The Klamath Project Manager will work closely and coordinate with a wide variety of Conservancy staff, private individuals, agency staff and contractors in support of strategy goals. They will support and be supported by a senior scientist with expertise in habitat restoration, streamflows and groundwater, a Project Director who leads the strategy and partnerships and a Stewardship Manager who oversees the properties where this work will occur.

The location for this position is ideally within Siskiyou County and candidates must reside within commuting distance from the project geographies and must be onsite at project sites for up to 50% of the time. This a two-year term position (with possibility of extension based on funding and performance). TNC housing is available at one of our work sites for full-time or part-time use. Living in TNC housing is not a requirement for this position. If the Klamath Project Manager opts to live in TNC housing, a housing agreement must be executed.

We’re Looking for You:

Join us in transforming the future of the Klamath Basin by leading innovative water and habitat restoration projects that bring lasting benefits to rivers, wildlife, and agricultural communities through collaboration, science, and on-the-ground conservation action.

What You’ll Bring:

• BA/BS degree and 5 years of experience in conservation practice (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including staffing, workloads and finances under deadlines.
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or government agencies
• Experience negotiating.
• Experience communicating with the public and/or media both in writing and verbally.
• Experience using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Web Browsers.

Desired Qualifications

• Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• At least 5 years of experience in conservation practice, related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation science, land management, natural resource preservation, and California water policy issues.
• Communicating clearly via written, spoken, and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• Completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).

• Experience developing, administering, and implementing habitat restoration and/or water use efficiency projects.
• Experience working with landowners, public agencies, and conservation groups to develop and implement restoration projects.
• Experience building and managing conservation partnerships, coalitions, or networks with diverse partner organizations to achieve strategic outcomes.
• Experience with contract management and review.
• Experience writing and reporting on private and/or public grants.
• Politically savvy.

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC'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." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit the Auto Safety information page. Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's