ID Riparian Habitat Implementation Coordinator III

Pheasants Forever•Nampa, ID

About The Position

The position will support the Water for Working Landscapes Program in partnership with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Idaho Department of Fish & Game (IDFG), the Idaho Governor’s Office of Species Conservation and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Working Lands for Wildlife Program (WLFW) in efforts to deliver mesic habitat restoration in the sagebrush biome of southern Idaho. The primary role will be to manage mesic/wetland/riparian habitat restoration projects and coordinate among agencies to deliver science-driven watershed-scale conservation across jurisdictional boundaries. Duties will include technical assistance to conduct project inventory and design, partner coordination and outreach, assistance with compliance, oversight and coordination of up to (2) implementation crews, writing project monitoring reports, designing and identifying research needs, development and maintenance of a statewide mesic restoration database, and assisting with annual mesic restoration workshops and partner agency trainings. The Riparian Habitat Implementation Coordinator is employed by Pheasants Forever, with day-to-day supervision by USFWS and IDFG. This position requires extensive travel with the flexibility to address annual work plan priorities; considerable travel during the field season (50-75% of working hours in May – October). The location of the position is Nampa, Idaho. Applicants are encouraged to explore these resources to learn more about the USFWS Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program and the NRCS’ Working Lands for Wildlife Program: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-06/sagebrushFramework.pdf https://www.fws.gov/project/idaho-partners-fish-and-wildlife-program https://idfg.idaho.gov/wildlife/lands https://www.fws.gov/project/prioritizing-mesic-resources-high-value-watersheds-idaho

Requirements

A Bachelor of Science Degree in Fluvial Geomorphology or Stream Ecology, Fisheries Biology, Wildlife Biology, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, or Rangeland Science from an accredited university and course work and/or experience in designing, planning, implementing, and monitoring stream restoration projects in the arid west.
Knowledge of project management principles, concepts of project constraints, and ability to manage and apply those principles.
Ability to work independently with little supervision and with diverse clientele.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with landowners and partner agencies.
Excellent verbal/written communication, coordination, and organizational skills.
Valid driver’s license and skillset to drive on unmaintained roads, and in remote locations, on a regular basis and occasionally during inclement weather.
Applicant should be familiar with ArcGIS, FieldMaps, Microsoft Word and Excel, specifically utilizing mobile tablet devices to collect and download project data and project maps.
Physical ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time over rough terrain; lift and move material weighing up to 50 pounds; work in all types of weather conditions.
Frequent travel

Nice To Haves

Basic understanding/knowledge of the conservation planning including policy, planning, and regulations through NRCS programs is preferred.
Knowledge of environmental (Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act) and cultural compliance policy (Section 104 of the National Historic Preservation Act).
Knowledge of Joint Application for Permits through the Idaho Department of Water Resources and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Knowledge of stream ecology and stream restoration objectives.
Familiarity with landscape-scale conservation in sagebrush ecosystems and ability to integrate mesic restoration within broader conservation priorities.
Ability to design and guide implementation of Low-Tech Process Based Restoration of intermittent and perennial stream systems.
Experience managing field crews performing manual labor in remote, outdoor settings.
Knowledge and experience with power tools, e.g. hydraulic post pounder, portable generators, chainsaws, etc.

Responsibilities

Lead planning and implementation of mesic habitat restoration projects across jurisdictional boundaries in collaboration with biologists and technical staff from USFWS, IDFG, NRCS, BLM, and other partner organizations.
Assist in the delivery of a statewide, watershed-scale implementation strategy using low-tech process-based restoration (LTPBR) techniques.
Align mesic restoration with proactive sagebrush and rangeland conservation strategies (e.g., “Defend the Core, Grow the Core”), ensuring projects complement existing investments such as conifer removal and invasive species control, while delivering benefits for priority species including greater sage-grouse, redband trout, Columbia spotted frog, and mule deer.
Serve as a central point of contact to guide permitting and provide hands-on assistance with permitting processes, including site visits, surveys, and monitoring, to ensure projects meet state, federal, and local requirements (e.g., Stream Alteration Permits, NEPA, Section 106).
Provide technical assistance in stream ecology and fluvial geomorphology to agencies, landowners, and NGO partners, ensuring science-based restoration design and implementation.
Provide field leadership for Idaho’s “Stream Team” seasonal restoration crews, ensuring high-quality implementation of LTPBR structures and safe, efficient operation in remote field settings.
Provide on-site troubleshooting, adaptive restoration design, and training for implementation crews and partner staff. Coordinate logistics, vehicle and equipment needs, and schedules to support efficient fieldwork.
Develop and implement monitoring protocols to evaluate project effectiveness, coordinate post-project follow-up and maintenance, and prepare reports and data summaries (annual reports, data requests, partner updates) to support adaptive management and shared learning.
Develop and manage a statewide database that tracks mesic restoration projects, site conditions, and partner contributions, ensuring it functions as an accessible decision-support tool for partners to inform prioritization and planning.
Serve as a central point of contact for state, federal, and NGO partners involved in mesic restoration across southern Idaho.
Support alignment of partner goals and funding priorities and provide landscape-level conservation planning and technical assistance to ensure consistent, science-based conservation delivery across jurisdictions.
Coordinate use of conservation funding from USDA Farm Bill programs, the USFWS Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, the Idaho Sage-Grouse Action Team, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and other sources to ensure seamless and integrated implementation of mesic restoration projects across the landscape.
Work with state and local agencies to leverage funding and build support for future years of partnership projects, ensuring continuity and long-term impact of mesic restoration efforts.
Coordinate development of local contracts, agreements, and cooperative project proposals.
Lead or assist in organizing partner site visits, interagency workshops, and trainings focused on watershed-scale restoration and Stream Team implementation.
Present project outcomes and methods to agency leadership, technical audiences, and the public through reports, presentations, and visual materials.
Support communication with private landowners and local stakeholders to build trust and understanding of mesic restoration goals and methods.
Coordinate and work with WLFW science team to monitor and develop outcome reports highlighting watershed impacts.
Coordinate and work with WLFW communications team to develop stories and share highlights from the field.