Posted: November 13, 2018
Initial candidate review: December 10, 2018 (open until filled)

Job Title: Salmon Recovery Specialist

This position is posted as a regular, full-time (40 hours per week), non-exempt position. Strong candidates who desire fewer hours (minimum 0.50 FTE, 20 hours per week) will also be considered (compensation package would be adjusted as appropriate). Please indicate in your cover letter if you are interested in a part-time position and the number of hours desired.
The Salmon Recovery Specialist will report to the Executive Director.
Note: HCCC currently has two job announcements posted, with some overlapping skills and responsibilities. Please look at both the Salmon Recovery Specialist and the Watershed Project coordinator job announcements and apply to the one for which you feel you are best suited.

HCCC Background

The Hood Canal Coordinating Council (HCCC) was established in 1985 as a watershed based council of governments. It consists of the five governments in the Hood Canal watershed: Jefferson, Kitsap and Mason Counties and the Port Gamble S’Klallam and Skokomish Tribes. The HCCC is a Washington State non-profit public benefit corporation with 501(c)(3) status and registered as a Charitable Organization with the State of Washington. For more information about HCCC, please visit our web page: www.hccc.wa.gov.
As the Regional Recovery Organization for Hood Canal and Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca summer chum salmon, HCCC is entering an exciting phase of what may be the final stretch toward recovery of these key salmon populations. Strategic habitat restoration and smart hatchery and harvest management have led to revived population numbers that continue to show strong signs of resilient and robust stocks. HCCC is optimistically pursuing the final steps toward designating successful recovery, and potential delisting from the Endangered Species Act List. HCCC has outlined the work that remains to be accomplished, which includes localized habitat assessments, an assessment of the status of the remaining threats to summer chum recovery, and continued strategic restoration work. HCCC is hopeful that these actions will boost Hood Canal and Strait of Juan de Fuca summer chum to get over the final hurdles as we observe ocean and local water quality conditions’ effects on annual returns.

Position Description

The Salmon Recovery Specialist will be responsible for guiding the salmon recovery program to implement the Hood Canal and Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca Summer Chum Salmon Recovery plan and advance the work that remains to be accomplished to achieve recovery. This position may also occasionally assist in the development and implementation of other salmon recovery plans and projects advancing and implementing HCCC’s Integrated Watershed Plan (IWP).

Responsibilities

  • The Salmon Recovery Specialist will undertake the tasks below
  • Advise the Executive Director and HCCC Board on policy and technical matters related to salmon recovery in Hood Canal
  • Write project reports, and present findings to HCCC Board of Directors and other partners
  • Conduct and coordinate technical research, evaluations, habitat assessments, and reports needed to support decision making
  • Analyze and maintain complex data
  • Coordinate with interdisciplinary groups, including federal and state agencies, tribes, local governments, resource and community interests regarding salmon recovery and watershed planning
  • Maintain summer chum recovery plan, guidance documents, and prioritization tools
  • Support development and administration of contractors scopes of work and budgets and manage contractors hired to support project implementation
  • In partnership with staff, develop strategic communications and media plans to support and advance salmon program goals and initiatives
  • Complete general administrative duties including grant management, progress reporting and record keeping
  • Comply with HCCC policies, procedures and practices enacted by the HCCC Board of Directors and the Executive Director
  • Collaborate with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and HCCC staff to support goals and objectives of the organization
  • Drive an automobile to various office and field locations throughout the Hood Canal watershed

Qualifications

Candidate should have a thorough understanding of watershed processes in the region, the conditions that generate healthy salmon habitats and support water quality, the land use and management systems which can affect watershed health, and the habitat restoration and policy priorities needed to protect and restore salmon populations in the Hood Canal/Puget Sound region.

Key Qualifications

  • Minimum education: Master’s degree in fisheries, natural resources, environmental planning, and/or three years related professional experience, or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience, which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the position description.
  • Demonstrated ability to think strategically and analytically to develop and implement solutions to complex problems
  • Collaboration and communication skills to interact with stakeholders and diverse partners to meet shared objectives and build efficient teams
  • Proficiency with word processing, databases, and spreadsheet software
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Demonstrated ability to flexibly work independently and collaboratively with a team

Desired Skills

The ideal candidate will possess one or more of the following:
  • Experience working in and/or knowledge of Hood Canal area
  • Knowledge and familiarity with the HCCC’s summer chum salmon recovery guiding documents:
    • Hood Canal and Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca Summer Chum Salmon Recovery Plan
    • Guidance for Prioritizing Salmonid Stocks, Issues, and Actions for the Hood Canal Coordinating Council
    • Recovery Goal Review and Updated Guidance for the Hood Canal Summer Chum Salmon ESU
  • GIS and database management experience
  • Ability to clearly and concisely present complex information to technical and lay audiences
  • Experience with meeting facilitation and collaborative work processes
  • State/federal grant programs and grant-writing/reporting experience
  • Consultant/contractor management experience

Physical and Other Working Conditions

Work is conducted both in office and in field settings. The position involves some standing, walking, bending, reaching, and sitting for long periods of time; will occasionally require physical exertion such as walking over rough, muddy, slippery, swampy or mountainous terrain and in inclement weather. Essential tasks require typing/keyboard skills, computer and analytical skills, reading, speaking and listening; and field skills. May occasionally lift and carry of materials, equipment or other items weighing up to 25 lbs. Will be required to drive to various locations around the Hood Canal and Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca watersheds and will need to rely on personal vehicle with adequate insurance coverage and driver’s license. The position may require working some evenings and weekends. The work location is the HCCC Poulsbo office (17791 Fjord Drive NE, Suite 118, Liberty Bay Marina) with some flexibility.

Compensation and Benefits

  • $26.00 – $31.00 per hour, depending on qualifications
  • Benefits package, including health insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, vacation, sick leave and paid holidays
  • Flexible work environment that may include both in-office and teleworking options, as negotiated with Executive Director

Start Date and Timeline

Submit applications by Sunday December 9 to be considered in the initial candidate review. Candidate review will begin immediately. Position will remain open until filled. You will be notified via email and phone of a request for an interview should the panel wish to interview you for further consideration. Initial interviews will take place at HCCC’s office.
The successful candidate will begin work immediately. Exact start date will be negotiated upon candidate selection.

Contact

Direct any questions and submit cover letter and resume with subject Salmon Recovery Specialist to:
Robin Lawlis, Administrative Program Manager
360-271-2060

Equal Employment Opportunity

The HCCC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age [40 and over], pregnancy and childbirth, honorably discharged veteran or military status, disability, HIV and/or Hepatitis C status, use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, or
other protected class [legally recognized] under federal, state or local law. Our organization is committed to employing, advancing in employment, and otherwise treating qualified individuals with disabilities without discrimination based on their physical or mental disability in all employment practices. Contact Robin Lawlis to request a reasonable accommodation during the application process.