Position Announcement

Title

Watershed Project Manager

Status

Non-exempt (hourly); Full-time 40 hours per week

Full Position Salary Range

$28.81 - 40.33 per hour, based on experience

Benefits

● 4% employer-matched 457b retirement plan

● Health reimbursement arrangement or cash in-lieu

● 20 days of paid time off per year

● Paid parental leave

● 11 paid federal holidays

● Hybrid work options

Location

Jefferson Conservation District’s office is in Lakewood, Colorado at the Denver Federal Center (however, JCD is not a federal agency).

Closing Date

Open until filled, but apply by March 17, 2024 for first round consideration ______________________________________________________________________________

Organization Overview

Established in 1942, Jefferson Conservation District (JCD), a political subdivision of the State of Colorado, provides natural resources technical assistance to private landowners in Jefferson County and surrounding areas. Our mission is to provide leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment. Current programs focus on forestry, wildfire mitigation, noxious weed Page 1 of 4 management, and the new watershed restoration program. JCD is overseen by a volunteer Board of Supervisors.

Position Overview

This new project management position reports to the Director and undertakes a variety of office/computer work and fieldwork duties to build and lead JCD’s watershed restoration program, which will focus on riparian ecosystem restoration and sediment control. There will be significant outreach and coordination with landowners, partner agencies, and contractors as well as grant acquisition and administration. On-the-ground planning, coordination, and project management could occur in a preor post-fire or flood context, and may involve low-tech, process-based restoration and more complex watershed health projects. The right candidate for this position should enjoy being a leader and taking initiative to build this program from the ground up.

______________________________________________________________________________

Essential Duties

Outreach and Education

● Promote JCD’s watershed restoration program on public and private lands; discuss watershed science and management with landowners, land managers, and stakeholders one-on-one and in group settings

● Build relationships with volunteers and contractors providing professional planning and project implementation services

● Attend trainings, conferences, and workshops

Project Planning

● Utilize GIS and other existing technical information to assess watershed health and vulnerabilities and identify potential restoration and stabilization projects

● Participate and lead collaborative watershed planning, prioritization, and funding efforts, at various scales, with stakeholders such as water utilities, wildlife and recreation groups, and government agencies

● Search and apply for federal, state and local government grants and private funding

● Create NRCS Conservation Plans and corresponding documentation

● Apply for USACE 404 Nationwide Permitting and submit Pre-Construction Notifications on behalf of JCD and/or Landowners

● Conduct on-the-ground wetland/riparian mapping, stream assessments, vegetation surveys, and feasibility assessments

● Create project-level budgets and scopes of work for funding applications, contracts, and permitting

● Organize, share, and archive information Page 2 of 4

Project Implementation

● Install low-tech, process-based restoration structures

● Create and administer contracts for volunteer groups and contractors

● Monitor work quality and ensure it meets standards and specifications

● Track budgets and approve payments when contract deliverables are met

● Assess outcomes and monitor project sites post-treatment; develop formal protocols and SOPs based on literature review and existing frameworks

● Create and present reports; organize/archive data and information

These duties are not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee will perform other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. Necessary Skills

Soft Skills

● Humility, dependability, organization

● Outgoing, conversational, enjoys meeting new people

● Collaborative with fellow employees and external partners

● Self-motivated, self-directed, innovative

● Flexible to perform a variety of duties and adaptable to changing situations

● Excellent verbal and written communicator

● Emotionally intelligent; respectful and tolerant of different viewpoints and personalities

● Forward-thinking; able to anticipate various situations and outcomes

Hard Skills

● Detailed project management

● Working knowledge of general ecological principles and resource management techniques for river/riparian ecosystems

● Clear and efficient technical writing

● Spreadsheet creation and management

● Highly organized and efficient in managing schedules, tasks/lists, complex projects, computer files, supplies, etc.

● Ability to develop and deliver visual presentations for a variety of groups

● Efficient in basic computer use, and able to learn new technology and software Page 3 of 4

Qualifications

● Bachelor's degree in natural resources, biology, chemistry, environmental science, ecology, ecological restoration, fluvial geomorphology, hydrology, wildlife/fisheries, watershed science, or a related degree and 2 years of work experience in those fields

● Proficiency in the following computer software applications:

o Microsoft Office

o Google Suite

o ArcGIS Pro

● Fluent in speaking and writing English

● Able to pass a federal background check

● Hold or able to obtain a valid Colorado driver’s license

● Must be comfortable working safely outdoors, independently or with a team, during all seasons and weather conditions to complete required field work; walk and hike over steep, uneven terrain; use a map, compass, GPS, and other equipment; carry up to 30 pounds

● Able to safely operate a four-wheel-drive vehicle in urban and rural mountain settings on- and off-pavement

● Able to work evenings and weekends, with notice, up to about 6 times per year

● Employee must provide their own hiking boots, clothing, and other personal gear for fieldwork

MOTOR VEHICLE RECORD DRIVING REQUIREMENTS:

● Applicants must have a valid Colorado (or state of residency) Driver's License and a good driving record

Application Instructions Apply by emailing a cover letter and resume, combined into a single document/file (PDF or Word) to: jcd@jeffersoncd.com

Please use this naming convention when naming your attachment file, and also use it for the subject line of your email: “Application Watershed PM 2024 LastName”