Habitat Restoration Project Manager

ABOUT US

Riverkeeper is New York’s premier water quality advocate. Our mission is to protect and restore the Hudson River from source to sea and safeguards drinking water supplies, through advocacy rooted in community partnerships, science and law. With an annual operating budget of $5 million, Riverkeeper is a mid-sized not-for-profit operating in the Hudson Valley. This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic, mission-oriented organization. For more information, visit www.riverkeeper.org.

JOB TITLE: Habitat Restoration Project Manager

DEPARTMENT: Science

REPORTS TO: Habitat Restoration Director

LOCATION: Ossining, NY (hybrid) and various field sites throughout the Hudson Valley and New York City,

POSITION SUMMARY

We are seeking a Project Manager that will help create and manage projects related to habitat restoration, fish passage, and dam removal throughout the Hudson River Valley. This work includes budget and grant proposal development, developing project timelines and managing projects, as well as working with internal and external partners and stakeholders. The Project Manager will also support field sampling and monitoring activities and assist with the collection of field data, as well as manage community engagement projects.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

(This is not an exhaustive list of all job duties, responsibilities, and requirements.)

Manage restoration projects from conception through completion, including:

• Work with Riverkeeper staff to identify new grant opportunities and funding needs for current/future restoration projects;
• Create project timelines/schedules and track project deadlines and deliverables;
• Track regulatory and restoration progress on barriers throughout the Hudson River watershed;
• Coordinate with dam owners, municipalities, project partners, state and federal agencies to advance dam removal in the Hudson Valley;
• Coordinate with Riverkeeper staff to draft and approve engineering contracts and Request for Proposals (RFPs) for all restoration projects;
• Coordinate with hired engineering firms on project contracts, budget, schedule and deliverables;
• Communicate regularly with dam owners and project partners about engineering plan review, regulatory review, permit requirements, and project progress;
• Review final engineering plan sets, construction sequence, and documentation for restoration projects;
• Plan, organize, and speak at meetings and events;
• Manage project, grant and Habitat Team budgets, including grant reporting requirements.

Manage the Habitat Restoration Team’s community outreach plan:

• Supervise Habitat Restoration Community Coordinator;
• Develop annual community outreach plan and lead all community outreach efforts to advance Riverkeeper’s habitat restoration work;
• Build relationships and identify opportunities to coordinate with diverse stakeholders (environmental groups, community groups, local governments, etc.);
• Collaborate with Riverkeeper staff to generate content about habitat restoration for social media, e-blasts, and newsletters;
• Develop strategic messaging to advance habitat restoration efforts and create outreach materials.

Support the team to achieve key objectives:

• Support habitat restoration reconnaissance efforts by participating in field sampling (water quality and , riparian restoration and monitoring, and other habitat restoration activities when necessary;
• Review team policy and advocacy position statements and Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs);
• Develop progress reports to the Riverkeeper Board;
• Identify team needs and make recommendations for improvement
• Other duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES

Research shows that people from under-represented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. Please know that no one ever meets 100% of the qualifications. If much of this describes you, we encourage you to apply.

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field of study, including environmental science/studies, ecological or engineering disciplines, project management, business, grant management, etc.;

A minimum of 3 years of related project management experience;

• Knowledgeable about NYS or similar state regulated environmental construction project process (design, environmental reviews, permitting, bid phase, etc.), actual construction project management would be beneficial;
• Experience with community outreach, planning public engagement events, and relationship-building experience with grassroots, residential, and local government groups;
• Knowledge of aquatic ecosystems, familiarity with fish passage and knowledge of diadromous species;
• Proficient in drafting grant proposals for a variety of funding sources;
• Budget management and tracking experience;
• Excellent verbal communication skills with the ability to present to and engage with diverse audiences;
• Excellent computer skills including the management of databases(

Monday.com preferred), spreadsheets (Excel required), word processing etc;

• Additional technical skills in spatial mapping software (ArcGIS), and statistical programming are beneficial;
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse groups of stakeholders;
• Entrepreneurial, self-starter, able to manage and prioritize multiple projects;
• A strong commitment to the mission, vision, values and goals of Riverkeeper, and a commitment to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and justice;
• Familiarity with the Hudson Valley and ability to travel throughout (i.e. will need access to a personal vehicle);
• Willingness to work outside in the field on occasion, at times in difficult conditions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability and familiarity with traversing streams with swift water currents for field data collection;
• Experience and ability to regularly work in adverse weather conditions in the field;
• Ability to work beyond an 8-hour work day when necessary to complete field sampling.

HOURS/SHIFTS

This exempt position is full time (40 hours/week), Monday - Friday. It requires flexibility to work some evenings and weekends.

SALARY

Full-time base salary range: $65,000-75,000 annually.

BENEFITS

Riverkeeper offers healthcare, dental and vision, life and disability coverage, retirement savings plan match, annual professional development stipend, Paid Time Off (vacation, sick, personal days, floating holidays, most federal holidays, summer Fridays), and other benefits; office is closed between Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays.

OTHER

All employees must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

The position will remain open until filled.