Washington Abandoned Mine Restoration Project Manager Wenatchee/Twisp, Washington

Today, Trout Unlimited is a national organization with more than 150,000 volunteers organized into about 400 chapters nationwide. This dedicated grassroots army is matched by a respected staff of organizers, lawyers, policy experts and scientists, who work out of more than 30 offices nationwide. These conservation professionals ensure that TU is at the forefront of fisheries restoration and protection work at the local, state and national levels. Our mission is to conserve, protect and restore North America's coldwater fisheries and their watersheds. Our vision is by the next generation, Trout Unlimited will ensure that robust populations of native and wild coldwater fish once again thrive within their North American range, so that our children can enjoy healthy fisheries in their home waters.

TU's Western Abandoned Mine Restoration Program was initiated in 2004 with the clean-up of toxic tailings piles in American Fork Canyon, near Salt Lake City, UT. Since then, the program has completed important on-the-ground restoration projects to benefit streams and native trout throughout the states of Idaho, Montana, and Colorado. We have used those successes to highlight mine restoration challenges, and to drive the national dialogue on mining law reform, funding shortfalls, liability issues, and Good Samaritan cleanups. With a new grant from the Tiffany&Co. Foundation we are now expanding the program into the state of Washington. As such, we are seeking qualified applicants for the Washington Project Manager position.

Position Summary

TU's Project Managers hold unique and diverse positions. The shortest description of the job is to "make things happen." In that spirit, TU is hiring a self-motivated and highly capable person to identify, plan, and implement abandoned mine restoration projects to benefit aquatic resources and native trout in Washington. The Project Manager will be responsible for all aspects of abandoned mine restoration projects in Washington, but will work closely with TU's mine restoration staff across the West. A significant focus will be placed upon partnership building with TU chapters and grassroots leaders, land trusts, state and federal agencies, landowners, local watershed groups, and other non-profit organizations. The successful applicant will be expected to seek out and obtain grant funding to support project work and core operational costs. The Project Manager will be co-located with other TU staff in Wenatchee or Twisp, WA, and will be required to travel to other western states.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Engage TU members and local stakeholders to prioritize projects and initiate planning efforts
• Work closely with state and federal agencies to collect field data for project development and monitoring
• Initiate new partnerships and restoration projects with landowners and non-profit organizations in Washington
• Work independently and with TU staff on fundraising, including identifying potential funding sources, drafting grant proposals, and developing relationships with funders
• Supervise interns and/or seasonal field technicians
• Manage on-the-ground restoration projects and monitoring plans
• Perform basic administration duties including grant reporting, invoicing and tracking project budgets

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; graduate degree preferred.
• Professional experience in abandoned mine restoration/reclamation, natural resource management or restoration/conservation project management.
• Demonstrated performance in grant writing and other fundraising activities.
• Experience in fisheries, water quality or water quantity/flow restoration a plus.
• Superior interpersonal skills and ability to work constructively with diverse partners and private landowners.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills are required.
• Previous experience with media and outreach helpful.
• Good organizational and problem solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently while managing complex projects.
• Willingness to travel within the region as necessary.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs and GIS software strongly preferred.
• Passion for protecting and restoring trout streams and their watersheds.

How to Apply

Please submit a resume with a letter of interest describing how you meet the qualifications to WashingtonProjectManager@tu.org (preferred) or by mail to:

Washington Abandoned Mine Restoration Project Manager
Trout Unlimited
111 N. Higgins Ave., Suite 500
Missoula, MT 59802

Applications will be accepted until March 15, 2013. Please no phone calls — TU staff will contact qualified applicants in March, 2013.

This is not an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities.

TU is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes a diverse pool of candidates in this search. TU hires staff without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status or disability.