Job Announcement:
Watershed Restoration Specialist
Midcoast Conservancy PO Box 439
Edgecomb ME 04556
(207) 389-5150
Since 2016, five conservation organizations have merged to create Midcoast Conservancy. Our mission is to support and promote healthy lands, waters, wildlife and people in Midcoast Maine through conservation, outdoor adventure, and learning. Our focus includes the watersheds of Damariscotta Lake, Medomak River, and Sheepscot River.
Position: Watershed Restoration Specialist
With funding provided by Atlantic Salmon Federation and The Nature Conservancy, Midcoast Conservancy is seeking a ‘Watershed Restoration Specialist’ to manage fish passage projects primarily on the Sheepscot River, Lincoln County, Maine. This is an 18 – 24 month position with potential for renewal. It will be based at Midcoast Conservancy in Edgecomb, with approximately 1 day/week at Atlantic Salmon Federation’s Brunswick Office.
Summary
The Watershed Restoration Specialist will primarily manage the implementation of fish passage projects in the Sheepscot River including the completion of work at Coopers Mills and Head Tide Dams, and planning for Branch Mill Dam repair and fish-way construction. S/he will also develop new projects identified as high priorities for fish passage and instream habitat improvements by working with a diverse set of private and public stakeholders.
Essential Functions
The Watershed Restoration Specialist provides technical leadership by coordinating and implementing river and stream restoration projects at the watershed scale. The successful completion of these three projects and planning for passage by additional barriers are the primary goals. S/he will also work to address barriers to migratory fish, including road-stream crossings, tributary dams, and in stream habitat restoration associated with remnant mill dams. The Watershed Restoration Specialist will develop and implement strategies, employ a full range of restoration tools, and actively engage and coordinate a broad range of public and private partners, including NGOs, agencies, municipalities and landowners. S/he will work to garner public support from local communities for restoration projects, and assist in efforts to secure public and private funding. S/he will also foster cross-site learning within the state, region and broader conservation community.
290 U.S. Route One, PO Box 439, Edgecomb, ME 04556-0439 (207) 389-5150
midcoastconservancy.org
Responsibilities and Scope
- Work with local, state, and federal permitting authorities to secure and comply with all required project
- Work with engineers, contractors, and regulators.
- Be a visible and respected presence in the
- Financial responsibilities will include managing a budget to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors, and assisting with budget
- Manage multiple projects simultaneously adhering to agreed-upon schedules and timelines.
- Gain cooperation from outside parties to accomplish program
- Under minimal supervision, makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and judgment.
- Be a regular presence at stakeholder meetings that can occur days, nights, and weekends. May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding
Minimum Qualifications
- BA/BS degree and 5 years’ experience in natural resource management or equivalent combination of education and
- Experience in the management and details of constructed habitat restoration
- Experience and/or course work in ecology, management, and restoration of freshwater
- Experience implementing complex
- Experience communicating effectively with a diversity of partners in government, non- profit and business organizations and with the general
- Experience coordinating multiple projects with several variables, setting realistic deadlines, managing timeframes and completing
- Experience using common software applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Web
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in science-related or natural resource management-related field and 5-7 years’ experience, or equivalent combination. Graduate degree
- Experience in working with engineers and construction
- Specialization in habitat restoration, freshwater ecology and/or fisheries conservation is particularly desired. Experience with GIS software applications a plus.
- The ability to be innovative, flexible, and empathetic; and a strong desire to do what it takes to get the job
- Excellent communication skills via written, spoken and graphical means and ability to explain conservation practices to technical and non-technical
- Experience with the State of Maine, S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Endangered Species Act permitting process a plus.
- Experience designing, negotiating and managing contractual
- Exceptional track record in developing successful relationships with diverse and sometimes challenging local
- Demonstrated ability to effectively understand and address local community
Start date no later than 30 October 2019. To apply, submit a resume and cover letter to [email protected]. Deadline for applications is Monday 5:00 PM, 23 September 2019.
Qualified individuals with disabilities and those from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. We provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals. Midcoast Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and offers insurance and retirement benefits.