Helene Restoration Coordinator (HC-65043589)

State of North Carolina • Wake County, NC

4d • Remote

About The Position

The NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) is hiring a nonsupervisory Helene Restoration Coordinator in the Division of Habitat Conservation. The position supports a multi-year restoration effort established following Hurricane Helene, under a Good Neighbor Agreement with the U.S. Forest Service and other conservation organizations that runs through 2035. The work focuses on ecological stabilization, species recovery, and long-term resilience in western North Carolina.

The coordinator manages reviews of proposed infrastructure and restoration projects on the Pisgah and Nantahala national forests. The position helps address the increased project workload associated with the reimbursable 10-year agreement, coordinates environmental compliance, and prioritizes and triages Helene-related reviews. The coordinator builds and maintains working relationships with partners, stakeholders, federal and state agency staff, and WRC district and regional staff. They collaborate across the agency to promote consistent recommendations and ensure wildlife conservation considerations are included in project planning.

Project reviews assess potential impacts to wildlife resources, including habitat quantity and quality, habitat alteration or destruction, stream conditions, barriers, hydrology and morphology, wetlands and aquatic habitat, wetland functions, forest values, stormwater management, riparian fringes, and recreational access. The position is home-based in western North Carolina, with a preference for Haywood, Buncombe, Henderson, or McDowell County. The role is time-limited and ends in September 2035. Work takes place in both indoor and outdoor conditions for extended periods. The normal schedule is 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday; longer days and occasional overnight travel, including multiple-day trips to the same area, may be necessary.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in wildlife or fisheries management, fisheries science, zoology, biological science, or a closely related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution, and three years of experience in wildlife or fisheries management; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of fisheries or wildlife science, management, or conservation biology.
• Ability to identify fish and wildlife species of North Carolina, their habits, and their habitats.
• Ability to present and review technical information in writing and orally.
• Experience establishing and maintaining effective professional working relationships with experts such as biologists, partners, stakeholders, and the general public.
• Experience conducting fieldwork and site visits and handling field sampling equipment.
• Ability to work in both indoor and outdoor conditions for extended periods.
• Ability to travel occasionally overnight, including multiple-day trips to the same area.

Nice To Haves

• Home base in one of the management-preferred counties: Haywood, Buncombe, Henderson, or McDowell.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate reviews of proposed infrastructure and restoration projects on the Pisgah and Nantahala national forests.
• Support increased project volume associated with the Good Neighbor Agreement and coordinate related environmental compliance.
• Prioritize and triage Hurricane Helene-related project reviews beyond the work of existing staff.
• Maintain and develop working relationships with partners, stakeholders, federal and state agency staff, and WRC district and regional staff.
• Collaborate within the agency to maintain consistency in recommendations across Helene restoration project reviews.
• Ensure wildlife conservation considerations are included in project planning.
• Evaluate project impacts to wildlife resources, including habitat, streams, wetlands, forest values, stormwater management, riparian fringes, and recreational access.

Benefits

• A wide variety of competitive and family-friendly state employee benefits; details are available through the NC Office of State Human Resources website.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level