Job Announcement

Position Description: Restoration Projects Coordinator

Effective: June 2009

Salary Range: $37,800-$57,800

Status: Regular Full Time, Limited Duration 12-18 months

Supervisor: Technical Programs Manager

Location: Warren and St. Helens, Oregon

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Two years experience with designing, developing and managing on-the-ground habitat restoration projects focusing on Pacific salmon. A Bachelor's degree in a field related to hydrology, water quality, marine sciences, engineering, biology or habitat restoration is required. A Master's degree is preferred.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF Position

The Restoration Projects Coordinator is an employee of the Estuary Partnership who will work closely with staff at the Scappoose Bay Watershed Council and Lower Columbia River Watershed Council to identify, design and develop new habitat restoration projects and provide support on existing projects. In particular, this position is focused on current and historically tidally influenced habitats along the mainstem lower Columbia River and estuary that are important for Pacific salmon recovery. Work includes working with Watershed Council staff, agencies, other project sponsors and landowners to identify, design and develop habitat restoration projects; write project proposals; submit quarterly reports to funders and provide other support as needed. This position is part of a pilot project funded by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to support restoration project development by addressing staffing constraints of local Watershed Councils and other restoration entities in the Lower Columbia River region. The project may be expanded to aid the Columbia River Estuary Study Taskforce in developing restoration project proposals. Hence, this position requires strong leadership and interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; and the ability to adapt to an evolving program.

The position will be co-located at the Scappoose Bay Watershed Council in Warren, Oregon and the Columbia County Soil and Water Conservation Service in St. Helens, Oregon. Travel will be required throughout the tidally influenced portions of Columbia County, as well as regular trips to the Estuary Partnership’s office in Portland. The position is a limited duration position with funding through December 2010. The position may be extended.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with Scappoose Bay Watershed Council and Lower Columbia River Watershed Council staff (and at times Soil and Water Conservation District staff) to identify, design, and develop project proposals for new habitat restoration projects focusing on current and historically tidally influenced habitat important for Pacific salmonid recovery;
• Provide support to Council staff for managing existing projects, community outreach and building support with landowners for restoration projects;
• Coordinate with the contractors, engineers, and agency staff on designing and permitting projects;
• Develop and submit restoration project proposals to funding entities such as the Estuary Partnership and Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board;
• Coordinate weekly with the Estuary Partnership and develop reports as needed for funding entities;
• Position requires extensive field work and a valid Oregon driver’s license (or ability to acquire the license within three months)

RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS

Employees in this position have regular contact with staff throughout the Estuary Partnership and Watershed Council organizations; staff from agencies; the business community and the public. Employees in this position can deal with sensitive issues, and the issues involved must be handled with tact and diplomacy.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Employees in this position work with a high degree of independence under general direction of the Technical Programs Manager. Work is reviewed on a regular basis through informal conferences, and written assignments are reviewed upon completion for accuracy, timeliness, and conformance to applicable state and federal laws, and organization policies and procedures, and correct secretarial and office practices and procedures.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Not applicable at this time.

STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE

§ Perform work in a logical, orderly, and skillful manner.

§ Support and carry out the Estuary Partnership ethics of placing first the river and the citizens and working to celebrate others and their work.

§ Be adaptable to changes in workload.

§ Has strong written and verbal communication skills.

§ Maintain high level of professionalism.

§ Accept work assignments that could require additional training.

§ Provide exceptional customer service.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

· Skill working in a team environment with understanding of roles and responsibilities of team members.

· Strong interpersonal skills allowing the ability to work with many personalities while always showing respect for differing opinions and experiences.

· Skill informing and working with the public to instill the importance of habitat restoration and Pacific salmon recovery.

· General knowledge of the laws, procedures, principles, and regulations governing the water quality, endangered species, fish and wildlife protection and land use. Knowledge about Columbia Basin or Lower Columbia River and the National Estuary Program helpful.

· Skill communicating verbally and in writing with a variety of people or organizations to answer questions and explain information, policies, regulations, decisions, or actions.

· Skill writing and editing clear and concise reports, funding proposals, newsletters, and other related documents.

· Skill providing information, policy advice, and assistance to a supervisor.

Application

Applications must include a formal cover letter explaining your interest and qualifications; a detailed resume that includes dates, specific duties and responsibilities of previous employment; and three references.

Submit hard copy applications to: Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership, 811 SW Naito Parkway, Suite 410 Portland, OR 97204.

Submit electronic applications to lcerp@lcrep.org. Electronic applications must be submitted as one PDF document that includes the formal cover letter, detailed resume and three references as described above. The email subject line title should be “Restoration Projects Coordinator” and the PDF file name the same as the applicant’s.

Timeline

Applications must be received by 4:00 pm, Monday July 6, 2009. The approximate timeline for interviews is July 13-17.

The Estuary Partnership values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.