Freshwater Restoration Specialist

The Nature Conservancy•GEO / Remote - Iowa, IA

6d•$52,000 - $58,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Freshwater Restoration Specialist works to restore ecological function to freshwater systems to benefit biodiversity and climate resilience. They will develop, manage and advance freshwater conservation projects, public and partner outreach efforts, and research and monitoring activities. It is preferred that this position be located in east central Iowa from a home office, shared office, or hybrid. The Freshwater Restoration Specialist addresses critical threats to freshwater systems and species through on-the-ground restoration activities. They will coordinate on-the-ground freshwater conservation and restoration activities in priority geographies to improve the management of streams, floodplains, and wetlands. They identify, prioritize, design, and oversee in-stream and floodplain restoration projects to improve aquatic biodiversity, fish passage, floodplain connectivity, and natural hydrology. Potential actions could include wetland restorations, perched culvert repairs, low-head dam removal, restoring in-stream habitat, and floodplain reconnection. They collaborate and coordinate with federal, state, and private partners on conservation planning and activities. Close collaboration with partners allows TNC to achieve greater conservation outcomes and is a critical part of this position. Community outreach and engagement are also important for cultivating landowner, farmer, and community support for restoration projects, and building awareness of The Nature Conservancy. Engagement activities can include: presenting at conferences and meetings, hosting field days and public events, publishing articles and providing social media content. The position is also be responsible for securing funding for freshwater conservation projects through public and private grants, donor solicitation with our development team, and corporate engagement. Develop project budgets, maintain records, and create reports for funders. They assist with identifying gaps in research around freshwater biodiversity threats and impacts, help design and fund research and monitoring projects, and assists with research activities as needed. This may include: fish and mussel surveys, water quality sampling, and vegetation assessments. They manage conservation data, participate in conservation planning, and develop project packages. Includes collecting, assembling, and analyzing various types of data, to prioritize and plan future restoration efforts. This position produces maps using GIS software and assists in the production of reports and restoration plans. Work will be done both in the field and in an office setting. Responsibilities & Scope May supervise volunteers, interns, technical, administrative and/or professional staff with responsibility for performance management, training and development. Coordinates multiple tasks or projects in a timely manner and with attention to detail. Works with Freshwater Team to prepare and monitor freshwater program budget. Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements. May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances. Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and context. Works well independently and as a team. Some travel across Iowa will be required to our priority geographies. We’re Looking for You: If you’re looking for a career where you can find meaning and purpose, come join the Iowa Chapter as the Freshwater Restoration Specialist! We're looking for an approachable, project manager minded specialist to join our Freshwater Team! In this role you will use your passion and the passion of the team to create tangible lasting changes to this area. As the Freshwater Restoration Specialist you will prepare, restore, and monitor the east central Iowa wetlands wildlife habit, for recreation, beautification, water quality, and to reduce flooding. The Iowa Chapter of the Nature Conservancy is looking for someone who can coordinate the healthy, functioning lands and waters of the east central Iowa wetlands allowing biodiversity to thrive.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and 3 years experience in natural resource management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience coordinating multiple projects.
Experience managing staff or volunteers.
Relationship-building experience to work closely with a variety of partners, i.e., media, government officials, and internal scientists.
Experience completing tasks independently concerning timeline(s).
Experience with communication via written, spoken and graphical means in English.
Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, web browsers, etc.
Experience in training.
Valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program.
Ability to meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.
Ability to drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if not considered "high risk drivers."
Completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

Nice To Haves

Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
3-5 years’ experience in natural resource management, with emphasis on freshwater biology, or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Ability and willingness to apply science to decision-making and guide activities.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, with assignments sometimes coming from a number of sources and work independently.
Experience utilizing databases for data entry and report production preferred.
Strong administrative skills including attention to detail and numerical ability.
Ability to plan, administer and record results of work-team meetings and activities.
Knowledge of ecological land management principles.
Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management and natural resource preservation.

Responsibilities

Develop, manage and advance freshwater conservation projects, public and partner outreach efforts, and research and monitoring activities.
Coordinate on-the-ground freshwater conservation and restoration activities in priority geographies to improve the management of streams, floodplains, and wetlands.
Identify, prioritize, design, and oversee in-stream and floodplain restoration projects to improve aquatic biodiversity, fish passage, floodplain connectivity, and natural hydrology.
Collaborate and coordinate with federal, state, and private partners on conservation planning and activities.
Engage in community outreach and engagement activities such as presenting at conferences and meetings, hosting field days and public events, publishing articles and providing social media content.
Secure funding for freshwater conservation projects through public and private grants, donor solicitation with our development team, and corporate engagement.
Develop project budgets, maintain records, and create reports for funders.
Assist with identifying gaps in research around freshwater biodiversity threats and impacts, help design and fund research and monitoring projects, and assist with research activities as needed (e.g., fish and mussel surveys, water quality sampling, vegetation assessments).
Manage conservation data, participate in conservation planning, and develop project packages.
Collect, assemble, and analyze various types of data to prioritize and plan future restoration efforts.
Produce maps using GIS software and assist in the production of reports and restoration plans.
Supervise volunteers, interns, technical, administrative and/or professional staff with responsibility for performance management, training and development.
Coordinate multiple tasks or projects in a timely manner and with attention to detail.
Prepare and monitor freshwater program budget.
Ensure program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
Perform tasks with minimal supervision and make independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and context.
Work well independently and as a team.
Prepare, restore, and monitor the east central Iowa wetlands wildlife habit, for recreation, beautification, water quality, and to reduce flooding.
Coordinate the healthy, functioning lands and waters of the east central Iowa wetlands allowing biodiversity to thrive.