Wetlands Restoration Specialist

The Wetland Restoration Specialist develops, manages and advances wetland restoration and preservation projects throughout Virginia to meet mitigation goals of the Virginia Aquatic Resources Trust Fund.   
 

The Wetlands Restoration Specialist directs and coordinates wetland mitigation projects and assists in stream mitigation projects of the Virginia Aquatic Resources Trust Fund (Trust Fund). The Trust Fund is a partnership between The Nature Conservancy in Virginia (TNC), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) that provides compensatory mitigation through preservation, restoration, creation or enhancement of wetlands, streams, buffers, or other aquatic resources in Virginia.  The Wetlands Restoration Specialist works collaboratively with the Stream Project Manager, Land Protection and Stewardship staff from TNC, staff from the Corps, DEQ and other organizations and individuals as needed in carrying out duties.  The position’s primary responsibilities are managing wetland compensation projects, including, but not limited to, determining feasibility of wetland restoration and enhancement  project sites; preparing proposals for funding from the Trust Fund; managing project budgets; reviewing, developing and implementing comprehensive mitigation plans; developing scopes of work, requests for proposals, and contracts for mitigation activities; coordinating with and providing oversight of contractors; overseeing wetland success  monitoring; securing release of compensatory mitigation credits; implementing corrective actions and engaging project partners.  This position is responsible for understanding and implementing Trust Fund program operations and objectives.  Supervises and/or coordinates the work of others and provides technical support to TNC staff in identifying and assessing potential wetland restoration, enhancement and preservation sites that are appropriate as Trust Fund projects and are consistent with the mission of TNC.  This position is funded through June 2015.  An additional 3-year budget for this position is expected to be approved prior to that time.
 

• Perform tasks with minimal supervision and make independent decisions based on analysis, experience and judgment.
• Supervise professional staff with responsibility for performance management, training and development. Recruit and supervise volunteers and interns.
• Ensure program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
• Financial responsibility includes obtaining and tracking funding approvals from the Corps, developing project budgets, and tracking expenses.
• Work closely and effectively with contractors, consultants, agencies, and staff on all aspects of wetland and stream restoration and mitigation projects.
• Work in partnership with other organizations and individuals, including conservation groups, federal and state agencies, landowners, volunteers, and others in a collaborative or advisory role.
• Frequent travel around the state, sometimes with short notice.  Adverse working conditions in remote locations, long hours and possible weekend work. 
• Must have valid driver’s license, safe driving record (per TNC’s Auto Safety Program), and provide own transportation and personal automobile insurance. (Rental and/or Conservancy vehicles provided in most cases.)
• Capacity to handle complex tasks under pressure and under stringent time constraints.
• Work will require physical exertion and/or physical strain to the point of physical fatigue.  Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.  Ability to tolerate heat, cold, rain, and insects in field conditions.  Work environment involves long hours in isolated settings, exposure to job hazards, and the possibility of injury.

• Bachelor’s Degree in natural resource-related field and 3 years’ experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Training on current trends and issues in wetland regulation, wetland science, restoration, and mitigation. 
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite software, ArcGIS, Web browsers, database management and advanced computer functions.
• Experience communicating with the public and/or media both in writing and verbally.
• Experience managing staff.
• Must have valid driver’s license.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in soil science, hydrology, botany, or related natural resource field and 3 to 5 years related experience, or equivalent combination.  Advanced degree or extensive wetland restoration and mitigation experience is preferred.
• Knowledge of current trends and issues in wetland and stream regulation, wetland and stream science and particularly restoration.  Ability to identify and delineate jurisdictional wetlands per the 1987 Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual and associated updates.
• Demonstrated understanding of key ecological processes influencing wetland and stream ecosystems in Virginia.
• Demonstrated knowledge of vegetation ecology, wetlands hydrology, hydric soil identification, and forest management. Experience with Federal, State, and local regulations, permits, and policies for stream and wetland mitigation. 
• Experience in preparing scopes of work for wetland and stream restoration, enhancement, or creation projects. 
• Experience with contract preparation, contractor oversight, and contract and budget management.  
• Successful experience in developing, directing and managing multiple projects, including ability to create and follow timelines and deliver products and results in a timely fashion.
• Demonstrated experience in accomplishing tasks in an orderly, organized manner and keeping organized files and records.
• Proficiency in developing and implementing monitoring protocols to evaluate compensatory mitigation project performance and success criteria. 
• Demonstrated proficiency in analyzing, interpreting and synthesizing a variety of data, including aerial photography, soil surveys, topographic maps, and GIS products. Experience in developing technical reports.
• Communication and presentation skills, both written and oral.  Ability to persuasively convey the mission of TNC and the Trust Fund to partners, landowners, prospective supporters, the public, and others.
• Good judgment, initiative, flexibility, mature and friendly manner. Sense of humor is helpful. 
• Willingness to abide by terms of the In Lieu Fee Program Instrument signed by TNC, the Corps, and DEQ in July 2011.

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with the Conservancy's Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." Please see further details in the Auto Safety Program document available at www.nature.org/careers.

Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.
 

To apply to position number 42702, submit resume and cover letter as one document. Please include salary requirements in cover letter. All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on January 22, 2015.

Click “submit” to apply for the position or “save for later” to create a draft application for future submission. Once submitted, applications cannot be revised or edited. Failure to complete required fields may result in your application being disqualified from consideration.

If you experience technical issues, please refer to our applicant user guide or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer