Southern Valley Conservation Projects Manager

The Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) is a tristate nonprofit citizen’s environmental group whose mission is to protect the natural character and environmental health of the Housatonic River Watershed for this and future generations.

Our watershed runs from the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts south through Eastern Columbia and Dutchess Counties in New York, down through Litchfield and Fairfield Counties in Western Connecticut to Long Island Sound. We work throughout our service area to protect the health of lands and waters for the benefit of all watershed communities. Learn more about HVA on our website. 

Position Description

The Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) is seeking a highly motivated environmental professional to join the Watershed Conservation Team as our Southern Valley Project Manager. HVA’s Southern Valley service area includes urbanized watersheds with active restoration initiatives, high-quality healthy headwater streams, the Housatonic River estuary and our connection with Long Island Sound.

The Southern Valley Project Manager is part of the Watershed Conservation Team and will occasionally be asked to support our work in other areas of the watershed, but the primary focus of this position is to execute HVA’s projects in the Southern Valley service area, working closely with the Connecticut Watershed Manager and the Watershed Conservation Director. HVA’s Watershed Conservation projects in the Southern Valley include watershed-scale planning and implementation, road stream crossing assessment and replacement planning, and environmental education for diverse audiences. This position is based out of HVA’s office in Cornwall Bridge, CT, but day-to-day activities are generally within the Southern Valley service area and we offer opportunities to work remotely.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Connecticut Watershed Manager and with support from Watershed Conservation Program staff, the Southern Valley Project Manager is responsible for the following:

• Developing and maintaining relationships with local, regional, state and federal agencies, and not-for-profit partners.
• Developing ideas for Southern Valley conservation efforts within the larger vision of HVA’s Strategic Plan.
• Planning, organizing, and executing field work and data management.
• Facilitating Watershed-Based Planning (WBP) and Implementation, including the Still River WBP (completed September 2019) and the Pootatuck River WBP (ongoing).
• Managing the Still River Watershed Connections program, which connects youth from the Danbury area with watershed restoration projects identified in the Still River WBP.
• Supervising seasonal staff and volunteers, including the Still River Watershed Connections Summer Crew leader.
• Managing watershed restoration projects.
• Preparing technical reports.
• Seeking, writing, and managing grants to support HVA’s Watershed Conservation work in the Southern Valley.

Qualifications

Required Experience/Qualifications:

• Enthusiasm and passion for conservation work and HVA’s Mission.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience relevant to environmental conservation.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, lead and execute conservation projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, ideally including experience communicating with diverse audiences about environmental conservation or related issues.
• Excellent organization, planning, and task/time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work outside for extended periods of time under inclement conditions.

Desired Qualifications:

• Grant writing and/or grant management experience.
• Experience with surface water resource management and associated federal, state and local regulations.
• Experience working with municipal government on natural resource/environmental issues.
• Spanish/Portugeuse fluency.

Time and Compensation

• This position is full-time (40 hours/week).
• HVA offers a comprehensive benefits package including health care, paid time off, and matching contributions to a 401b retirement plan.
• Starting salary commensurate with experience.

To Apply

• Please click "Apply" below to email the following to Mike Jastremski, Watershed Conservation Director:
  • COVER LETTER explaining your interest and qualifications
  • RESUME
  • CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THREE (3) PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES

Note: Position will remain open until filled; preference will be given to candidates who apply by March 31st.