Restoration Program Manager

Sonoma Ecology Center (SEC) is a 32-year-old nonprofit with a mission to work with our community to identify and lead actions that achieve and sustain ecological health in Sonoma Valley and beyond. We are respected throughout the North Bay and beyond for our contributions to important initiatives in land, water, biodiversity and climate.

Each year, we provide in-depth environmental science instruction to over 1200 students; manage over 5,000 acres of public and private land, including Sugarloaf Ridge State Park; raise thousands of native plants; restore critical native habitats; and provide research and technical support on timely issues affecting the region. We have nearly 30 professional staff and manage numerous large grants and contracts, often in partnership with other nonprofits and agencies that, by working together, significantly leverage our work and impact.

Position Description:

Sonoma Ecology Center seeks a seasoned and inspired full-time Restoration Program Manager to lead the Program into its next iteration of success and ecological leadership. The Program provides numerous services, including native species propagation and revegetation, invasive weed control, erosion control, stream maintenance, ecological landscape design and construction, monitoring, flood and debris management, fire fuel load reduction, post-fire recovery work, and adaptive land management. Recent projects have focused on post-fire ecological restoration, particularly in riparian corridors, and future projects will likely continue this focus.  The position oversees day-to-day management of the Restoration Program, as well as leads the design and implementation of long-term strategic vision for the program. The position collaborates with other senior management staff on projects within SEC, and on partnership projects with peer organizations.

Responsibilities (include but are not limited to:)

• Provide leadership for an established program working to improve the ecological health of habitat in Sonoma Valley and the surrounding region
• Coordinate the development and implementation of a Restoration Program strategic plan to sustain and grow the program, working with key senior staff
• Lead/coordinate project planning and execution for implementation projects and contracts
• Manage, motivate, and mentor the Restoration Team, which includes Project Managers, a Land Management Strategist, and Restoration Specialists and Technicians
• Assist with project proposals, from design to award
• Coordinate with senior staff to attract and develop new projects and business opportunities, and to ensure that projects deliver best ecological outcomes
• Develop annual Restoration Program budget with Finance department
• Set high safety standards, through quality training, appropriate staff supervision and swift corrective actions
• Apply best adaptive-management practices to ensure high-quality results and project durability
• Plan professional development opportunities for Restoration Team members
• Collaborate and communicate with project stakeholders, including government agencies, private landowners, and partner organizations
• Obtain necessary permits
• Ensure proper and timely fiscal management of projects, working closely with Administration staff on required reports
• Manage contracts according to the contracted scope of services and budget. Manage necessary work order changes
• Manage subcontractors and consultant contracts, as necessary
• Carefully monitor billable/non-billable time, expenses, schedule changes and overtime. Ensure staff payroll hours and mileage are correct and timely
• Identify alternative solutions and approaches to problems that arise

Basic Qualifications:

• Master's degree in natural resource management or related field and three (3) years of related professional experience or a bachelor’s degree and four (4) years of related professional experience
• Excellent communication skills
• Experience managing a grant program and large program budgets
• Experience managing multiple contracts simultaneously
• Experience in obtaining permits for ecological restoration work, including permits from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Regional Water Quality Control Boards, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and county agencies.
• Expert knowledge of native and non-native plant species
• Strategic thinking with the ability to set a long-term vision for the program and support execution of the vision
• Ability to safely use and train others in use of equipment such as: chainsaws, augers, string trimmers, brush mowers, circular saw, and various hand tools
• Highly proficient in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and related Google Docs
• Valid Driver’s license, maintenance of at least minimum required personal auto insurance, can pass a DMV background check

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with CA Public Works contracts, prevailing wage implications, DIR requirements, OSHA standards, and DOL requirements.
• Experience or having partnered with CA Conservation Corps and/or AmeriCorps.
• California landscape contractors license (C27) or tree contractor’s license (D49)
• Fire Certifications, possibly including Wildland Firefighter Red-Card or Burn Boss Certification
• Experience with managing prescribed grazing contracts
• Experience with trail construction and maintenance
• CA Qualified (Pesticide/Herbicide) Applicator License (QAL)
• Certification in storm water/erosion control or another professional license
• Spanish language proficiency

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to lead with confidence and compassion
• Works well in a team environment
• Ability to lead field work in the Sonoma Valley area
• Excellent writing skills, including technical report writing
• Experience applying for and managing large grants and/or contracts
• Strong attention to detail and highly organized
• Can establish and maintain professional networks
• Ability to remain calm under stressful and challenging circumstances
• Can prioritize and manage multiple deadlines
• Can determine how systems should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes

Work Style:

You have integrity, are dependable, innovative yet pragmatic, show initiative, are flexible, persistent, detail oriented, analytical, adaptable, patient, have high stress tolerance, work well with, and act as a role model to others.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

Work is performed in the field and in the office. In the office, one will use a computer, phone, copier, and may sit for long periods. Fieldwork includes bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, climbing, crawling, kneeling, wading, or standing in water, and standing for long periods of time. The candidate must be able to safely push, pull, lift, and carry up to 50 lbs. Will be exposed to inclement weather, including rain, heat, exposure to the sun, high winds, and cold. Employee may be required to visit, inspect, and supervise field work with limited advance notice.  Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and safety precautions are required. Staff follow appropriate safety protocols related to public health directives. Sonoma Ecology Center is a drug-free workplace and an EEOC employer.

Evening and weekend work is sometimes required for public meetings, volunteer days, and to respond to project emergencies.

All qualified applicants will be given equal consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, pregnancy, breastfeeding, veteran, military status, genetic information, and marital status or familial status.  If you need assistance with the application process, please contact Human Resources humanresources@sonomaecologycenter.org to see if we can provide reasonable accommodations.

Benefits:

On the first day of the month after hire, full-time employees are offered the following: Eligibility to enroll in one of two Kaiser Permanente health insurance plans, of which SEC pays 80% of the employee’s premium. SEC does not pay for dependents or domestic partners, although they may be added to your policy. SEC offers paid holidays, vacation accrual, and sick accrual. SEC offers an optional self-funded TIAA 403(B) account and an optional free cell phone plan.  Please ask the Human Resources Manager for details on these benefits.

How to Apply:

Please use this link: https://sonomaecologycenter.bamboohr.com/careers/38

Alternatively, please send your cover letter, resume, and three references, to Celina Briggs, Human Resources Manager, humanresources@sonomaecologycenter.org, preferably in one PDF document.  Please write Restoration Program Manager in the header. No phone calls, please.  For more information on the Sonoma Ecology Center please visit www.sonomaecologycenter.org.