Marine and Estuarine Resilience Project Manager

Location : Pacific County - Other, WA

Job Type: Exempt

Job Number: 2024-PacCD MAERPM

Department: Pacific Conservation District

Opening Date: 07/16/2024

Description

Title: Marine and Estuarine Resilience Project Manager

Reports to: Marine and Estuarine Resilience Program Manager

Supervises: TBD

The Marine and Estuarine Resilience (MER) Program supports collaborative adaptation to flooding, erosion, climate change, and other stresses affecting coastal communities and ecosystems, involving workshops, technical assistance, and implementation of coastal restoration and resilience projects. The Project Manager will help shape the program while supporting present and future priorities across Willapa Bay and its tributaries, the Columbia River estuary, and the Pacific coast of Pacific County, Washington.

Applications (application form, cover letter, and resume) will be accepted until position(s) are filled, with first review occurring August 1, 2024.

To apply or for more information, please contact the Marine and Estuarine Resilience Program Manager, Jackson Blalock, at [redacted].

POSITION PURPOSE/SUMMARY

The Marine and Estuarine Resilience Project Manager is a grant funded, regular, full-time, hourly employee serving the Pacific Conservation District (PCD). This position is responsible to the District Board of Directors and is supervised by the Marine and Estuarine Resilience Program Manager.

The District's Marine and Estuarine Resilience Program (MER Program) assists a diversity of exciting projects, ranging from nature-based approaches to erosion and dune restoration, to advancing collaborative flooding and climate resilience projects through PCD-facilitated workshops, to assisting ecosystem-based management and other resilience efforts with shellfish farmers and intertidal interests. Through existing grants, partnerships, and a local community-focused approach, PCD staff have identified and developed multiple resilience engagement and implementation projects that are to be implemented over the next 10 years. These emerging projects led to the creation of the PCD's MER Program in Spring 2023. This position will manage ongoing projects (see section below), and the MER Project Manager will be encouraged to develop projects and program activities from the ground up in coordination with the MER Program Manager. This position provides the opportunity to shape the PCD's MER Program and address local priorities in innovative, resilient, and collaborative ways.

The MER Project Manager is a full-time permanent position based in Pacific County, Washington. This position is fully funded through Fall 2026 with competitive pay and benefits, and the MER Program team is committed to securing grant/partnership funds to support this position on an ongoing basis.

The Project Manager's work will cover a variety of coastal topics, including but not limited to:

• Permitting, implementation, and project management for nature-based erosion control, stormwater management, flood impacts reduction, and restoration of beach, dune, wetland, and other intertidal habitats.
• Collaborative project development and workshops involving multiple adjacent landowners, jurisdictions, or other interested parties
• Engagement with shellfish farms and other coastal industries to address natural resource issues

The MER Project Manager also works with PCD staff to help support other PCD objectives and activities. See pacificcd.org for more information on PCD.

Duties

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following is not a comprehensive list. Duties and responsibilities can be added or subtracted as deemed necessary.

Natural Resource Technical Assistance

• Provide site visits and technical assistance to landowners about topics such as erosion and flood management, stormwater and wetland best management practices, native plant recommendations, local codes and regulations, funding opportunities, and water quality best management practices.
• Develop enduring positive relationships with landowners to facilitate willingness to design and implement restoration projects and an overall culture of stewardship
• Connect individuals and organizations in order to accomplish project goals: landowners, natural resources specialists, agencies, research, and programs that furnish technical/financial assistance, provide public/private partnership funding and offer other incentive programs.
• Facilitate meetings, process community input, and incorporate research or case studies to identify tangible next steps to address community-identified needs.
• Develop public workshop materials, project maps, grant proposals and supporting documents, plans, and permits using programs such as ArcGIS and Adobe Suite
• Data management using programs such as ArcGIS, Microsoft Suite, Google Suite, and Smartsheet.

MER Program and Project Development

• Collaboratively identify and prioritize coastal, intertidal, and aquatic restoration/resilience projects for implementation
• Serve as a contact for partnering agencies (such as the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Department of Ecology, and United States Army Corps of Engineers), local ports and drainage districts, NGOs, researchers, Tribes, private landowners, and others
• Participate in local and regional restoration related processes as directed
• Participate in Pacific County Marine Resources Committee (PCMRC), Willapa-Grays Harbor Estuaries Collaborative, Lower Columbia Solutions Group, Willapa Erosion Control Action Now, or other related collaborative forums as a representative of the District; assist planning and hosting for PCRMC's Annual Science Conference and Seafood Feast
• Write grant proposals in collaboration with the PCD team
• Negotiate grant agreements and complete deliverables as required by grant funding guidelines.
• Participate in project design processes, providing technical assistance and expertise, survey assistance and design review.

Resilience Project Implementation

• Secure permits for shoreline projects
• Prepare and execute bid documents, and associated procedures to advance projects
• Hire construction contractors and material suppliers in accordance with District procedures and state/federal guidelines
• Oversee restoration construction of nature-based erosion control, dune restoration, large woody material supplementations, coastal revegetation projects, and other related activities
• Monitor construction/restoration project progress and address needs as they arise
• Develop and manage accurate project budgets which range from less than $10,000 to over $2,000,000
• Lead on-site construction management during project implementation, which includes but is not limited to: construction inspection, facilitation between the project engineer and contractor, and acting as the project's contract representative.
• Participate in workshops, tours and educational opportunities as needed. Perform work with the highest ethical standards, in accordance with RCWs 42.23.020-070, 42.17, 42.52 and the District personnel policies, providing courteous service.
• Other related duties as assigned.

This position will involve travel throughout southwest Washington and navigating uneven terrain on foot and may involve working outside in inclement weather or lifting awkward objects over 50 pounds.

ONGOING PROJECTS

• Climate resilience along the lower Willapa River: design concepts for habitat restoration, water quality, and flood reduction. Support District-led public workshop series to advance multi-benefit community-driven design concepts for habitat restoration, climate-induced flood resilience, and green stormwater infrastructure in the communities of South Bend and Raymond. Assist priority projects to take next steps, e.g. connecting to funds, partners, or other resources.
• Willapa Erosion Control Action Now. Assist Pacific Drainage District No.1, Pacific County, and other collaborators to restore shoreline and improve sand accretion/retention through nature-based erosion reduction efforts (e.g. North Cove dynamic revetment implementation), planting native vegetation, ongoing monitoring and adaptive management, and coordinating across private, County, State, Tribal, and Federal projects at the mouth of Willapa Bay.
• "Bay to Bay" climate resilience across the lower Columbia River. Continue to advance Baker Bay and Grays Bay projects identified through 2021-24 workshops and technical assistance, to reduce present and future flooding or other sea level-rise related impacts while increasing habitat functions. Includes erosion mitigation, habitat restoration, and green stormwater infrastructure
• Shellfish farm resilience projects. Assist shellfish farmers in Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor to develop and implement:
  • ecosystem-supporting practices in coordination with Washington Sea Grant's Willapa-Grays Harbor Estuaries Collaborative
  • carbon-reducing/mitigating farming practices with support from Washington State Conservation Commission's Sustainable Farms and Fields program.
• Ongoing project development and implementation. The District and other partners are currently developing coastal/marine/estuarine resilience and restoration projects across Willapa Bay and its tributaries, the Columbia River estuary, and Pacific coast, for implementation over the next decade.

Qualifications

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's Degree in a relevant Natural Resource-related field (e.g. biology, fisheries, planning, engineering, or landscape architecture)
• At least 3 years of prior work experience in a related field preferred
• Washington State Driver's License (upon hiring)

Desired Experience

Applicants that can meet at least 3 of the below bullet points will be considered very strong candidates and are encouraged to apply

• At least 3 years of experience managing shoreline or aquatic habitat restoration projects, including but not limited to landowner and jurisdictional engagement, contract/budget management, design review, and construction oversight
• Experience managing budgets over $300,000
• Experience listening, building relationships, and finding common visions across diverse backgrounds and perspectives, and using these insights to identify pathways to address priorities
• Experience communicating complex information to non-technical/public audiences (e.g. climate change projections, hydrological or coastal processes)
• Experience developing and seeking funding for projects that support process-based restoration or resilient public infrastructure, from initial community engagement through project design and implementation
• Experience navigating complex permitting and funding guidelines in order to accomplish projects efficiently and on time
• Experience collaborating with other restoration practitioners, community stakeholders, and landowners on natural resource programs/projects
• Experience monitoring habitat restoration projects for effectiveness
• Proficiency with ArcGIS
• Spanish-language proficiency
• Familiarity with coastal ecosystems, coastal processes, and climate change projections
• A passion for working with communities to scope and implement complex, multi-benefit, interdisciplinary resilience projects

Supplemental Information

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please send a District Employment Application, resume, and cover letter to:

Applications will be accepted until position(s) are filled, with first review occurring August 1st, 2024. For more information, please contact the Marine and Estuarine Resilience Program Manager, Jackson Blalock at [redacted]

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensa