Marine Shorelines Senior Program Manager

Washington Department of Natural Resources; Puyallup (WA); On-site; USD 73,772 - 79,792; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% medical/dental/vision insurance premiums paid

Annual leave and sick leave

Paid training budget

Job summary

The Washington Department of Natural Resources is seeking a Marine Shorelines Senior Program Manager to oversee the Shore Friendly Pierce program. This position requires strong marine shoreline knowledge, project management, and community engagement skills. Responsibilities include program management, local outreach, and collaboration with conservation partners.

Qualified candidates should possess a Bachelor's degree in marine science or related field and have proven success in grant management. Full-time position with a salary range of $73,772–$79,792, and includes comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of marine shoreline processes.
• Experience in restoration project management.
• Ability to communicate effectively with landowners.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Shore Friendly Pierce program and deliverables.
• Coordinate outreach for marine shoreline landowners.
• Conduct site visits and technical assistance.

Skills

Marine shoreline processes

Coalition-building

Excellent communication skills

Grant management

GIS software proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in marine science or relevant topics

Tools

Microsoft Office/Office 365

GIS

Job description

Description

Nature & Purpose of the Position The Marine Shorelines Senior Program Manager is a technical position of the Pierce Conservation District (PCD) requiring field work, landowner engagement, technical assistance site visits, nearshore restoration project development and management, and leadership skills. This position will implement PCD’s Shore Friendly Pierce program. This is a full‑time position that reports to the Habitat Improvement Program Director.

About the Pierce Conservation District Pierce Conservation District is a government agency that works strategically and passionately to conserve and restore the natural resources of Pierce County. We work in six core program areas: Farm Assistance, Water Quality Improvement, Habitat Restoration, Urban Agriculture, Climate Resiliency, and Environmental Education. The District works for clean water, healthy soil, salmon recovery and local food access for all. When you join the Pierce Conservation District staff, you join a team of talented and committed people who are mission‑driven and care deeply about improving our environment and our community.

Duties

Primary Job Responsibilities The Shorelines Program Manager will work closely with colleagues at Mason and Thurston Conservation Districts to implement the Pierce County component of the South Sound Shore Friendly Program. The Shorelines Program Manager reports to the Habitat Improvement Program Director and will support other Habitat Improvement Program members as needed. Specific duties of this position include:

• Manage the “Shore Friendly Pierce” program. Develop and track programmatic budgets and deliverables, collaborate with Mason and Thurston CDs to achieve grant deliverables, coordinate billing and reporting of Shore Friendly Pierce deliverables to Thurston CD (project sponsor) to ensure timely reimbursement and project success.
• Coordinate with existing Shore Friendly programs and local shoreline restoration networks, including participation in monthly regional Shore Friendly program meetings and Shore Friendly South Sound team meetings.
• Create and implement targeted outreach and education opportunities for marine shoreline landowners and other relevant audiences (may include workshops, tours, etc.).
• Conduct site visits and generate technical assistance recommendations and reports as appropriate.
• Provide (or arrange for) technical assistance to advance Shore Friendly practices.
• Develop list of willing landowners and effective projects to improve shoreline habitats.
• Manage shoreline restoration projects through all phases, including initial site assessment, landowner relationship building, identify and secure construction funding, and manage project design, permitting, construction, and post‑construction effectiveness monitoring.
• Represent and advocate for the Pierce Conservation District at groups such as the West Sound Partners for Ecosystem Recovery and other regional partnerships to advance the work of marine shoreline conservation and salmon recovery efforts.
• Maintain “Shore Friendly Pierce” website.
• Follow relevant procedures for procuring consultant and contractor services to support the Shore Friendly Pierce program and development of shoreline armor removal projects, as well as execute and manage contracts.
• Apply for grants, manage grant awards.
• Accurately track project budgets.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate for this position will have a strong knowledge base of marine shoreline processes and Shore Friendly practices. We are looking for someone who is self‑starting and able to work independently. They will be emotionally intelligent and enjoy working with others. They will have successful coalition‑building and collaboration experience, and an ability to work with landowners and partners with integrity and nuance. They must be a detail oriented and a strategic thinker.

• A Bachelor’s degree and/or previous work experience in marine science, restoration and/or shoreline ecology, salmon recovery strategies, geology, environmental science, or other relevant topics.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work productively with landowners and partners.
• Extensive restoration project development and management experience.
• Extensive experience applying for and managing grants.
• Experience with permitting processes and regulatory requirements for salmon restoration and/or marine shoreline restoration projects.
• Excellent time management and task prioritization abilities.
• Commitment to and passion for locally‑led conservation and Puget Sound recovery.
• Ability to clearly communicate in writing.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office/Office 365 suite of software programs; experience with GIS.

Desired Skills

• Post‑Bachelor’s degree and/or previous work experience in marine science, restoration and/or shoreline ecology, geology, environmental science, or other relevant topics.
• Advanced level of GIS competency.
• Understanding of public works project requirements.
• Relevant engineering or geotechnical experience, including but not limited to hiring and working with consultant teams to design restoration projects; overseeing restoration project bidding and awards; overseeing construction management, etc.
• Familiarity with social marketing concepts, and experience developing education and outreach materials, passion for inspiring behavior change in private landowners that supports nearshore stewardship.
• Familiarity with current sea level rise science and implications to shoreline environments.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

The Shorelines Program Manager will work in office, remote work, and outdoor environments, with frequent travel to site visits, meetings, and project locations. Conducting field work may expose the person in this position to typical hazards associated with various types of shoreline and outdoor environments. This is a full‑time, non‑exempt position consisting of 40 hours per week. The position will occasionally require some work on weekends or after regularly scheduled work hours.

Compensation & Benefits

This is a full‑time, non‑exempt, permanent position with an Annual Salary Range of $73,772–$79,792 (Senior Program Manager, Step 1–3), dependent on qualifications.

Benefits include 100% of premiums paid for medical/dental/vision insurance for you and your dependents, ORCA transit card, as well as accrued paid sick leave, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year (including two personal holidays), and a training budget.

In lieu of Social Security, PCD participates in a FICA replacement plan through the State Department of Retirement Systems Deferred Compensation Program.

Additional Information

THIS position is represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Council 2. The current Collective Bargaining Agreement can be found here.

Pierce Conservation District is an equal opportunity employer and encourages people of color and individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply for open positions.