Job Description

The mission of the Elkhorn Slough Foundation, a non-profit land trust, is to conserve and restore the Elkhorn Slough estuary and its watershed. 

Summary:  The Elkhorn Slough Foundation is currently looking for a skilled individual to coordinate the Elkhorn Slough Tidal Wetland Project, an initiative led by the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve.  The Director will work independently under the direction of the Reserve Manager to conduct duties including project management, working group facilitation, contractor oversight, science coordination and communications.

The Tidal Wetland Project Director will lead the Elkhorn Slough Tidal Wetland Project which involves over 100 decision-makers, resource managers, stakeholders, and scientists in developing and implementing restoration strategies for a 2600-acre estuary and its watershed (http://www.elkhornslough.org/tidalwetlandproject/).  The main focus of this position is to implement the strategies outlined in the Elkhorn Slough Tidal Wetland Strategic Plan (http://www.elkhornslough.org/tidalwetland/strategic_plan.htm).

Primary Responsibilities:

(1) Project Management – 50%

• Coordinate a team of principal investigators and consultants working on a project to predict the potential hydrodynamic, geomorphic, habitat, socioeconomic, species, and water quality changes associated with large-scale restoration projects in the Elkhorn Slough estuary.
• Co-lead a consultant team and restoration working group that is creating a restoration plan for a 429-acre area of Elkhorn Slough.
• Supervise the work of an assistant who will focus on Tidal Wetland Project community outreach activities.
• Ensure that work plan outcomes are completed in a timely manner and the project stays within the contracted budget amount.
• Track budget expenditures and complete project progress reports.
• Hire and oversee additional staff, interns, and consultants as needed.

(2) Working Group Facilitation and Stakeholder Involvement - 25%

• Facilitate planning meetings and communication efforts among teams of coastal resource managers, scientific and restoration experts, representatives from key regulatory and jurisdictional entities, leaders of conservation organizations, and community members to support Elkhorn Slough estuarine restoration strategies.
• Work with key stakeholders to gather input about and build support for potential restoration projects.
• Develop strategies for making group decisions between different restoration projects.
• Serve as the primary spokesperson disseminating information about the Elkhorn Slough Tidal Wetland Project through public presentations at conferences and meetings and holding meetings with key stakeholders.
• Identify and gather the needed elements for permits to implement restoration activities by working with regulatory agencies.

(3) Grant Writing – 20%

• Seek funding for implementing restoration, research and monitoring, and permitting activities.  This includes working with partners to identify funding sources, writing grant proposals, understanding permit regulations, and communicating with appropriate funding organizations and agencies about the project.

(4) General – 5%

• Participate in coordinated program initiatives of the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve and the Elkhorn Slough Foundation.

Required Qualifications:

• M.A./M.S. or Ph.D in natural resource sciences, management, or policy with an expertise in coastal ecosystems and/or estuaries.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of organizations and individuals with varied backgrounds and interests.
• Proven success as a grant writer.
• Strong organizational skills including the ability to conduct and lead productive meetings and projects.  Experience facilitating large group stakeholder meetings to gain consensus on natural resources issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking, with the ability to present complex information succinctly to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to complete a variety of tasks simultaneously and effectively.
• Experience overseeing large contracts and budgets.
• Experience supervising staff and overseeing consultant work.
• Desire to conserve and restore California’s wetlands.
• Experience restoring estuarine habitats.
• Experience as a project manager overseeing large-scale restoration projects.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal wetland permitting processes and experience working with key wetland regulatory agencies in California.

This position is full-time (40 hours per week) with benefits provided. Compensation competitive and commensurate with education and level of professional experience. This position is grant funded for 16 months, with full anticipation of continued funding.

Please send a cover letter, resume, and list of references by email to humanresources@elkhornslough.org

Elkhorn Slough Foundation
PO Box 267
Moss Landing, CA 95039

The position is open until filled.  A review of applications will begin on
September 7, 2007 .

The Elkhorn Slough Foundation is an Affirmative Action Equal Opportunity employer.

Posted 8/15/07

Return to Jobs Page