Habitat Assessment & Monitoring Coordinator

Tillamook Estuaries Partnership (TEP) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and restoration of Tillamook County’s estuaries and watersheds.

We are a part of the EPA’s National Estuary Program and rely upon a broad partnership of staff, volunteers, and organizations representing numerous stakeholders to implement our action agenda:  water quality, habitat enhancement, and community education and engagement.

• • To learn more about TEP, please visit our website at www.tbnep.org.

Position Overview

The Habitat Assessment & Monitoring Coordinator is a regular full-time position that serves under the supervision of the Executive Director. Duties and responsibilities align with TEP’s habitat restoration overarching goal:   

• Conserve and restore ecological functions of Tillamook County’s estuaries and watersheds to benefit native aquatic and terrestrial species and the communities that depend on them. 

The objectives of this position include the following:

• Enhance Health of Salmonid, Shellfish, Other Aquatic Species, and Non-Aquatic Species Stocks
• Assess, Conserve, and Restore Watershed Habitats including Estuarine, Non-Estuarine Wetland, In-Stream, Riparian, and Upland Habitats

Responsibilities

Key actions for this position may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Support the Implementation of the habitat restoration goal within TEP’s Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan (CCMP)
• Support the development of TEP’s monitoring program and lead implementation
• Manage all aspects of habitat assessment and monitoring projects including landowner contacts, partnership building, project development, permitting, budgets, workplans, data management, reporting,  equipment maintenance, and volunteer training and coordination
• Develop grant applications and manage awarded grants to fund assessment and monitoring projects
• Develop subcontractor scopes of services and requests for proposals for assessment and monitoring projects; conduct reviews and selections of proposals; and manage awarded contracts
• Lead habitat assessment teams (e.g. Coho Strategic Action Plan (SAP)) and project monitoring teams (e.g. Southern Flow Corridor (SFC), nurdle patrol);  implement prioritized projects
• Lead the Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program (VWQMP) including sample collection and processing, data entry, supply inventory management
• Track TEP and partner restoration project milestones in order to prepare and submit the Government Performance Results Act (GPRA) and leveraging reports. Map results using GIS
• Support, and potentially oversee, the BackYard Planting Program (BYPP) and contractors
• Work with TEP staff and partners to develop and implement TEP’s CCMP and annual work plans
• Support TEP staff and Board of Directors in the development and implementation of habitat enhancement, financial, communication, and organizational strategic plans
• Act as TEP’s Safety Officer

Qualifications

In order to contribute to the success of TEP as an organization, the Habitat Assessment & Monitoring Coordinator will have the following general responsibilities:

• Maintain close working relationships with local, state, and federal partners, scientists, and special interest groups
• Represent TEP at meetings, committees, conferences, workshops, and events as needed
• Support TEP- and partner-led water quality, restoration, education, and engagement programs
• Communicate TEP’s achievements through press releases, reports, quarterly newsletters, website content, social media postings, and radio recordings
• Write reports and give presentations that meet audience expectations, display information clearly and with high impact, and reflect professionally on TEP
• Participate in TEP fundraising efforts
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in environmental/biological sciences or related discipline (e.g. botany, restoration engineering)
• Minimum of two years of experience related to habitat assessment, monitoring, restoration, or research projects (Master’s degree may substitute for one year of experience)
• Proficiency with Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, and Adobe or other similar software
• Proof of valid driver’s license and current auto liability insurance at time of appointment (and maintained throughout employment with TEP)

Attributes and Requirements for Consideration:

• Work harmoniously with others and effectively complete tasks in an open office environment
• Interact with staff, Board Members, and public with a high level of professionalism
• Demonstrate a concern for accuracy (e.g. regularly produce accurate, thorough, professional work)
• Demonstrate a concern for effectiveness (e.g. proactively analyze current procedures and offer suggestions for possible improvements)
• Effective communications (e.g. respectful and courteous in all verbal and non-verbal communications)
• Creative and self-motivated
• Willing to carry out tasks and respond to situations as they arise with minimal supervision
• Ability to prioritize tasks to manage multiple projects, adapting as needed to changing priorities, deadlines, and instructions
• Demonstrates integrity and ethical behavior
• Works in an economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable manner
• Displays a positive attitude toward and enthusiasm for functioning as a part of a high-performance team
• Experience working with diverse populations, rural communities, and private landowners
• Understanding of a broad range of issues related to habitat restoration, living resources, and water quality and be able to condense that knowledge into forms that are easily understood by partners and the general public
• Familiarity with GIS software and statistics

Work Environment

• Work shall be performed in both an office environment and in the field. TEP full time staff work four 10-hour days each week. Our office is open Mondays through Thursdays. Evening and weekend work may be required occasionally to support TEP.
• Work assignments may require bending, climbing, crawling, kneeling, lifting up to 30 pounds, pulling, reaching, sitting, standing, stooping, walking in rough terrain, in-water work, and occasionally contending with adverse weather conditions requiring special clothing and safety precautions. 
• Some work assignments may require working independently in a remote field setting. The HA&M Coordinator shall be expected to follow field safety protocols and covid-19 safety protocols.
• Travel (>100 miles per month), mostly local, is often required. The HA&M Coordinator shall need to have a personal vehicle, show proof of a valid driver’s license and automobile insurance, and maintain a valid license and insurance for the duration of employment with TEP.  TEP reimburses its employees for their personal vehicle usage during company-related travel, excluding commuting to and from work, at the IRS standard mileage rate.
• This position is subject to the Employee Handbook, Safety Policies, Fiscal Policy, and all other TEP policies. This position is subject to periodic background checks.
• Project work may be required at TEP’s Native Plant Nursery, which is located adjacent to a minimum security youth detention facility. The HA&M Coordinator may engage with at-risk, incarcerated youth who are under guarded supervision by the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA).

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $37,000 - $50,000. Actual offer of compensation shall be dependent upon experience.This position is eligible for enrollment in TEP’s retirement program, health insurance, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

To Apply

Please click "Apply" below to email the following to Dr. Kristi Foster, Executive Director. (TEP’s office is currently closed due to covid-19 restrictions so mailed paper applications will not be accepted.)

• A resume,
• A statement of qualifications and interest, and
• Three professional references.

The statement of qualifications should describe the applicant’s relevant experience and interest in the position and should not exceed two full, single-spaced pages. Applicant contact information must include mailing address, phone number, and email address. Professional references must include names, email addresses, and phone numbers.

• Deadline: Applications will be accepted until the close of business, 5:00pm (Pacific Time), Monday, June 7, 2021. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
  
  • TEP will contact all applicants in by June 30, 2021 to advise the status of your application.  The preferred start date for this position is August 2, 2021 or sooner.

Tillamook Estuaries Partnership is an equal opportunity employer.