The Coos Watershed Association (Association) is a 501(c3) nonprofit that was established in 1994 by a diverse group to stakeholders with a mission to; support environmental integrity and economic stability within the Coos watershed by increasing community capacity to develop, test, promote, and implement management practices in the interests of watershed health. The Association is governed by a Board of Directors and managed by the Executive Director. To learn more about our work please visit our website: www.cooswatershed.org.

The Association is seeking a qualified professional to join our dynamic team and fill the multi-faceted position of Plants Program Manager and Restoration Program Manager. This is an at will, full-time, hourly, non-exempt position with benefits. The Plants Program Manager and Restoration Project Manager will work both in the office and field. The Coos Watershed Association is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) provider.

The Plants Program Manager and Restoration Project Manager is expected to work 40 hours a week. As per all positions at the Association, this position is 100% grant funded and the applicant will be expected to continue to secure funding for this position.

Start Date: February 17th – 24th

Compensation: $18 – $20/hour, depending on experience. Benefits include paid vacation, holidays, sick leave, retirement plan, and medical and dental insurance benefits.

Supervision: The Plants Program Manager and Restoration Project Manager is supervised by the Executive Director

Essential functions: the essential functions of this position require prioritizing and completing all assigned tasks in a timely and efficient manner, adjusting for changing priorities and availability of resources, and demonstrating initiative in identifying future project opportunities. These duties are a representative example of position expectations, actual duties assigned may vary and change depending on funding and Association needs.

• Work with the Executive Director to oversee Matson Creek Wetland Preserve and participate in long range planning and development.
• Work with the Executive Director, Restoration Crew Lead and Plants Program and Crew Coordinator to develop and manage Matson Creek Native Plant Nursery. This includes, but is not limited to: secure funding for development and expansion activities, build and maintain relationships with collaborators, determine species list, collection sources and collection and propagation protocols, develop and document plant sales per plant funding model, maintain up to date knowledge about best management practices and ensure that they are being practiced at the nursery, and direct the Plants Program Coordinator on daily management.
• In collaboration with the Executive Director, support and supervise Plants Program and Crew Coordinator and Restoration Crew Lead.
• With support from the Plants Program and Crew Coordinator and Restoration Crew Lead, take the lead on developing funding, managing grants, hiring and managing the summer and winter crews.
• Work with Plants Program and Crew Coordinator and Restoration Crew Lead to determine and manage short and long term scheduling for Restoration Crew Lead and associated crews.
• Work with Plants Program and Crew Coordinator to hold weekly team meetings that include: Plants Program Manager, Plants Program and Crew Coordinator, Restoration Crew Lead, Restoration Crew Members, and the Noxious Weed Coordinator and Project Managers as needed. The purpose of these meetings is to coordinate long and short term schedules, budgets and crew needs.
• Help develop and coordinate key partnerships, and oversee funding and programmatic strategy for Noxious Weeds Program in coordination with the Noxious Weeds Coordinator.
• Develop project opportunities and funding resources (grants, cooperative agreements, fee-for-service contracts, etc.) to support the restoration and noxious weed programs.
• Work with landowners, agencies, technical experts, and staff to develop and implement restoration projects consistent with the CoosWA mission, landowner’s goals and current best management practices.
• Manage restoration projects including budgets, permits, land use agreements, and grant reports; coordinate and supervise work crews and contractors including crew member hires, job bids, and inspection of completed work.
• Continue existing monitoring protocols and meet reporting requirements for past restoration projects and work with monitoring program staff to establish monitoring plans for future restoration projects.
• Contribute to outreach activities as needed by providing updated information on projects.
• Participate in board activities as needed.
• Meet reporting deadlines.
• Actively participate in staff and other team meetings.
• Communicate respectfully and effectively with other staff, supervisors, board and partners.
• Maintain a team player mentality and pitch in as needed to help ensure all aspects of the Association’s work is successful.
• All other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in botany, natural resources, biology, ecology, forestry, environmental science or related field
• 3+ years of experience in natural resource work
• Project management experience including preparation of budgets, tracking of expenditures, and preparation of required financial and project completion reports
• Grant writing experience
• Demonstrated track record of success in fundraising, including preparation of grant applications, coordination with funders (local, state, and federal agencies, and private foundations), and solicitation of donations
• Strong knowledge of native and invasive plant species to the Pacific Northwest
• Strong knowledge of riparian and wetland ecosystem and/or habitat restoration ecology
• Computer skills including GIS, Microsoft Office, and GPS equipment
• Strong interpersonal skills necessary to develop, establish and maintain effective, professional, and collaborative relationships with staff, board, funders, and project partners
• Excellent proven abilities to communicate clearly both orally and in writing
• Excellent time management skills and ability to be productive in a collaborative work environment
• Ability to work independently, execute tasks and timelines, and manage multiple projects at the same time
• Ability to conduct short and long term planning for projects and workloads
• Ability to adjust to a variable work schedule based on project needs (i.e., early mornings, long hours, seasonal fluctuations, etc.) and ability to work in varied work environments and conditions (i.e. cold temperatures, hot temperatures, windy, wet, dry, etc.)
• Strong organizational skills
• Must be 18 years old or older
• Must have current driver’s license, auto insurance and reliable vehicle to use for work purposes
• Ability to lift 40 pounds
• Ability to work in the field in all types of weather (wind, rain, sun, heat, cold)
• Ability to safely operate, or strong willingness to learn, mechanical equipment (tractor, weed whacker, mower, hand tools)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters degree in botany, natural resources, biology, ecology, forestry, environmental science or related field
• Demonstrated track record of managing numerous projects, timelines, crews, budgets, and deliverables simultaneously
• Demonstrated experience working on watershed enhancement and restoration projects
• Experience working at or managing a native plant nursery
• Understanding of plant collection techniques and genetic mapping of source collection sites
• Experience with field botany including the ability to use a dichotomous key for plant identification
• Experience working with youth (high-school aged) in an outdoor setting
• Experience controlling noxious weeds through chemical, mechanical, or manual means and a thorough understanding of invasive plant species ecology