Senior Manager, Coastal Restoration Project

National Audubon Society

21d•$84,000 - $94,000•Remote

About The Position

Reporting to Audubon Mid-Atlantic’s (AMA) Director of Bird Conservation, the Senior Manager, Coastal Restoration Project, is a new position on Audubon Mid-Atlantic’s growing coastal conservation team and plays a core role in implementing Audubon’s coastal conservation goals across Maryland’s eastern shore, with a focus on the lower shore. The Senior Manager’s main responsibility will be to manage habitat restoration projects in coastal environments, mostly in tidal salt marshes. Salt marsh restoration projects are being planned and implemented according to a strategic restoration and resiliency plan called Marshes for Tomorrow, which was completed in 2025. The Senior Manager will be responsible for coordinating and overseeing the design, permitting and construction of restoration projects, including contractual management, which involves working closely in a team setting with Audubon’s partners and contractors, and requires being present at the project site for essential meetings and to oversee the construction process. Some projects may be constructed by work teams hired by Audubon or partner organizations, using low-tech methods, such as hand tools, and it will be the Senior Manager’s responsibility to hire, train, coordinate and oversee such work teams. Field visits to project sites could be necessary at any time of year and could be required at short notice, particularly during the construction process. The Senior Manager will work closely and build partnerships with internal conservation staff and with external partners including federal, state, local and private landowners, land managers, engineering consultants and contractors, scientists and others. The Senior Manager is a full-time, remote position, working 35 hours/week, located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and will work closely with the coastal conservation team which is based in the Baltimore office. While classified as remote, this position will require up to 50% of work hours spent on-site over the course of a typical year but may require more than 50% of time on-site during weeks that project construction occurs. Occasional work on weekends and evenings is required.

Requirements

Master’s Degree in environmental management or natural resources field, plus two years of relevant work experience, or Bachelors Degree plus five years of relevant work experience. Equivalent combination of education and experience will also be considered.
Proven experience with habitat restoration project management, including contractual and fiscal management, overseeing contractors, managing project deliverables, and reporting on progress.
Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize is essential.
Must be self-motivated, organized and reliable, with the ability to work independently as well as part of team.
Must be flexible with respect to work schedule and have a willingness to work occasional weekends and evenings as the job demands.
Willingness to travel to project sites and other locations in Maryland at short notice, as well as occasional planned travel to other states.
Strong communication skills, including writing and public speaking, are preferred, including ability to synthesize and communicate technical and complex information to both technical and non-technical audiences through written reports and presentations.
Ability to traverse far distances on uneven terrain while carrying a heavy daypack and equipment; with or without accommodation.
Proven experience with motorboat operation and maintenance, or willingness to train in these skills.
Computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.
Demonstrated personal and professional commitment to and experience in advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license as operating Audubon vehicles is a requirement of this role to perform essential functions.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with coastal resilience and adaptation issues and natural coastal processes is desired.
Familiarity with governmental permit processes for habitat restoration or other related projects, is desired, preferably in the state of Maryland.
Proficiency in ArcGIS software is desired, and ability to use handheld GPS devices is essential.

Responsibilities

Manage, coordinate and oversee the implementation of coastal habitat restoration projects, mostly in tidal salt marsh environments.
Develop Requests for Proposals (RFPs), bid packages and contracts required for hiring contractors.
Oversee construction contracts and engineering firms completing permitting, design and construction of restoration projects. This includes being regularly present at project sites to oversee construction activities.
Manage the administration of grants and contracts, including budgets and invoicing, grant compliance and reports.
Manage the timeline of projects and ensure that contractors stay on task and within budget.
Hire, train, coordinate and oversee work teams of interns using low-tech construction methods in restoration projects.
Coordinate project teams to ensure regular communications, free exchange of ideas and successful problem-solving to implement projects.
Engage in effective outreach and communication with private landowners and public land managers.
Assist other members of the project team with monitoring activities in the field as necessary.
Effectively communicate about coastal resilience issues and habitat restoration to external audiences, including elected officials, agency staff, organizational partners, landowners, and the public.
Collaborate with Audubon colleagues to represent Audubon and create and deliver effective presentations at conferences, regional councils and working group meetings.
Contribute to press releases, articles, outreach materials, and content for social media.
Collaborate with Audubon staff to ensure that equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging principles are incorporated and followed in all aspects of our work.
Collaborate with Audubon colleagues across the Americas including through joint planning and execution of shared priorities.
Participate fully and productively in staff meetings, planning efforts and other shared staff duties.
Collaborate with Audubon staff to ensure that equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging principles are incorporated and followed in all aspects of our work.
Support a culture of philanthropy, including public funding efforts.
Collaborate with colleagues across the Americas including through joint planning and execution of shared priorities.
Drive to work sites for progress on projects and compliance regulations.