CA Inland Trout Program Manager

Description: TU’s Inland Trout Program works to restore native and wild inland trout populations and their associated Sierra Nevada headwater habitat, primarily located on public land. We have approximately 20 active watershed restoration projects underway, at all stages of development, and anticipate a minimum of 10 years more work given the level of need. Our program takes projects through the full life cycle from identification, prioritization and stakeholder engagement, to design, permitting, funding, implementation, monitoring, and adaptive management. We work inclusively with public, private and tribal partners, and deploy a range of science-based restoration techniques, often that the landscape-level. Our projects seek to reverse over a century of degradation to critically important Sierra Nevada habitats. Project types include but are not limited to process and formed-based stream and meadow restoration, aquatic organism passage replacement, sediment reduction via roads maintenance/decommissioning, forest health and post-fire remediation. 

The Inland Trout Program Manager is a new position that will co-lead the Program with the Program Director and help oversee all aspects of the Program’s work. Each of our projects has a multitude of steps, processes and deliverables that must be coordinated successfully and on schedule. The primary function of the Program Manager will be to facilitate successful project implementation, including with respect to: 

Raising program funding by developing grant applications and budgets for federal, state, foundation, private, and corporate sources; and overseeing the expenditure of grant funds.

Procuring contractors and services and overseeing contract deliverables and budgets.

Managing staff and contractors.

Developing and facilitating inclusive stakeholder processes and working with Native American tribes and bands. 

Facilitating successful permit applications and NEPA approval processes.

Integrating science into project prioritization and effectiveness evaluation, especially through effective monitoring. 

Overseeing project implementation.

The position requires excellent attention to detail and organizational skills; the ability to develop trust-based relationships with a wide range of people; and the judgement to anticipate and ward off problems.  The ideal candidate is a person who loves the Sierra Nevada and is excited by the opportunity to contribute to its resilience by attending to the multitude of steps required for successful habitat restoration. The person will ideally be based within a two-hour driving distance to Truckee, but remote placement will be considered. The position reports to the California Inland Trout Program Director.

Responsibilities: Program Leadership.  Co-develop and scope new, strategic, science-based projects and focal areas of work. Co-develop, maintain and support relationships with key partners, especially the US Forest Service, Tribes, and public land user groups.  Provide direction and facilitate shared understanding and problem solving among the people and agencies who are critical to program success.

Staff Management.  Supervise one or more project managers, and science, outreach, and seasonal staff. Supervisory responsibilities will be shared with the Program Director.  Help build high-performing teams that include staff, contractors and partners.  

Project Management.  Support project managers and selectively participate in projects at all stages of development.  Help as needed to: i) Select, hire and build relationships with subcontractors and vendors. ii) Develop and oversee implementation of contracts for project design, permitting, monitoring and construction. iii) Facilitate successful permit application processes and ensure permit compliance. v) Ensure proper project documentation and data organization and management. iv)  Oversee construction logistics and execution, which often includes remote and designated wilderness area settings.

Financial Management.  Co-lead the development, implementation and tracking of the Program’s annual budget. Raise funds for projects, co-manage funder relations, and administer grant agreements and reporting.  Oversee and help administer subcontracts and subcontractor budgets. Manage subcontractor invoicing and budget tracking.  Support internal TU financial systems and staff.

Program Communications and Outreach.  Work with staff to: i) Develop and implement stakeholder and community engagement strategies.  ii) Facilitate effective program storytelling. iii) Develop effective approaches to situations with controversy. 

Qualifications: Bachelors, Masters, or PhD in natural resources management or policy, business, conservation science, or related field.

Understanding of Western watershed and federal land issues, watershed science and restoration. Understanding of native and wild trout a plus. Ability to articulate complex conservation issues and TU’s mission to a wide range of audiences. Passion for protecting and restoring Sierra Nevada headwater habitat. 

Experience identifying or developing new projects and initiatives; developing trust-relationships; building and facilitating inclusive, solution-oriented partnerships; and developing shared goals and understanding among people and agencies needed for success. 

Minimum of 5-7 years of project management experience. Valued experience includes with restoration projects on federal lands; directing multiple projects at once; facilitating public agency decision processes; building stakeholder support; developing grant proposals and raising funds; overseeing grants, budgets, contracts, and permits; procuring and building relationships with contractors; and overseeing implementation and compliance.

Experience supervising staff and building teams. Ability to positively motivate high individual performance and integrate multi-disciplinary staff into functioning teams.  Ability to successfully facilitate complex logistics for project work in remote locations that is subject to last minute change. 

Ability and willingness to travel, estimated 10-15% of time. Valid driver’s license and own vehicle required.

Learn more and apply here.