Stormwater Project Manager

~ The Estuary Partnership was founded in 1995, and 2020 is our 25th year of protecting and advocating for the lower Columbia River. ~

We restore habitat for keystone species like salmon and steelhead. We monitor ecosystem conditions and share our scientific findings. We seek methods to mitigate for changing climate conditions.

We educate the upcoming generation about outdoor science and offer opportunities for community members to make a difference in their watershed. And we work in partnership with hundreds of organizations, companies, agencies, and individuals, because together our impact is so much greater.

• The Estuary Partnership focuses on the lower 146 miles of the Columbia River. This tidally-influenced area stretches from Bonneville Dam to the Pacific Ocean and includes 28 cities and portions of nine counties.

The Estuary Partnership has well-established stewardship and technical programs including ecosystem restoration; community engagement; water quality improvement; and technical assistance. The Science Team coordinates and implements regional restoration and monitoring activities; facilitates information exchange among partners; identifies regional information and resource needs; and leads efforts to fill these gaps. Since 2000, the Estuary Partnership and its partners have completed over 200 actions representing 22,685 acres restored or protected.

The Estuary Partnership also has a well-established education and volunteer program that provides classroom and field programs for students, volunteer opportunities, on-river trips, and that implements a diverse variety of large and small stormwater projects.

Position Overview

The Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership seeks a Stormwater Project Manager for its Community Programs Team to manage multiple existing stormwater projects, and to identify, develop, and implement new stormwater projects that help reduce and improve the water quality of stormwater runoff in lower Columbia River communities. 

The Stormwater Project Manager positions requires five years’ experience managing the implementation of stormwater retrofit projects, a thorough understanding of current stormwater retrofit best management practices and stormwater management manuals (i.e. Ecology’s Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington, the City of Portland Stormwater Management Manual), and an ability to work collaboratively with communities, consultants, and contractors. 

• The primary initial focus of the position is managing a large stormwater retrofit project in Ilwaco, Washington.
  • Work will include developing and managing contracts with engineering and design consultants; 
  • communicating and developing agreements with project partners (primarily the City of Ilwaco and Port of Ilwaco); 
  • managing the project’s funding contract; overseeing development of design reports, construction documents, quality insurance plans, and bid documents;
  • providing on-site construction oversight; and
  • managing project closeout and final grant reporting.

Note: The Stormwater Project Manager will simultaneously manage a number of smaller stormwater related projects.

Position Summary:

This position is part of a team that implements components of the Estuary Partnership Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan, biennial workplans, and six-year implementation strategies, including strategies to reduce and improve water quality of stormwater runoff and other non-point source pollution. This position identifies, develops, and implements stormwater projects and provides technical assistance to partners to implement and assess success of water quality improvement actions to meet the Estuary Partnership’s stormwater management goals.

Employees in this position work with a high degree of independence and maintain regular communication with their supervisor and members of the Community Programs team. All Estuary Partnership employees build and strengthen partnerships and foster collaboration with a variety of viewpoints and diverse interests to serve all communities and give people parity and equal engagement with and in the protection of natural resources.

Location & Logistics:

This position is based in the Estuary Partnership with work regularly taking place in a field setting that requires regular travel throughout the Estuary Partnership study area. There's a mixture of field work and traditional office hours, as well as occasional virtual and traditional meetings and events.

• Due to COVID-19, most employees are currently working remotely though some limited field activities continue.
• The position will require regular travel to Ilwaco in 2021 and 2022 and on-site construction oversight in Ilwaco during 2022 construction.  
• A major focus of work, including 1-3 months of construction oversight in 2022 will take place in Ilwaco, Washington.
• The position may require occasional early morning starts or late nights and occasional weekend work. Field work may occur in difficult weather conditions and at diverse site types. (Safety training and wilderness first aid trainings are provided by the Estuary Partnership.)
  • Job Classification:  Regular, Exempt   
  • Minimum Hours Required:  32 Hours Per Week 
  • Supervisor:  Community Programs Manager 

The full job description can also be viewed as a pdf here.

Responsibilities

Essential Duties:

• Identifies, develops, and coordinates the implementation of stormwater projects with various regional, state or federal jurisdictions, other stakeholders, and the public.
• Complete assigned work, implement tasks in annual workplan and meet deadlines, adhere to organization policies and procedures, and respond to feedback from supervisor.
• Communicate regularly with supervisor on development and delivery of projects.
• Foster landowner, community, regulatory, and agency support for stormwater projects and programs. Work with partners, including municipalities, conservation organizations, diking districts, soil and water conservation districts, contractors, and funding agencies to identify potential projects.
• Manage project permitting with various government agencies.
• Identify potential funding opportunities and provide information to supervisor. Write components of grant applications, develop scopes of work, project reports, and other documents, and provide cost estimates for budget development. Communicate with supervisor as grant proposals are developed to ensure internal processes are followed and deadlines met for timely and complete submission.
• Coordinate with partners to develop project goals, develop project alternatives, select a preferred alternative, secure engineering designs and necessary permits, and identify and ensure adequate site assessment data collection, including data for engineering designs.
• Develop and manage multiple projects and contracts, including scopes of work, bid packages, and request for proposals, and oversee project and contract implementation. Ensure compliance with the contract terms, organization policies and procedures, applicable laws and rules, permit requirements, and specified monitoring protocols.
• Write project reports and updates, technical documents, disseminate program or project information, and make presentations on project or program information.

Related Duties:

• Keep current on scientific literature related to stormwater management, water quality, hydrology, civil engineering, and other natural resource management tools to keep programming relevant.
• Identify barriers for underserved community members and programming to help remove barriers.
• Coordinate with partners. Build relationships with municipalities, funding and regulatory agencies, consultants, contractors, and others involved in the lower Columbia River to enhance regional collaboration and advance regional water quality improvement.
• Participate in all-staff meetings.
• Participate in team meetings to discuss and advance program objectives, enhance collaboration, and identify resource needs required to complete projects.
• Participate in the Science Work Group.
• Represent the Estuary Partnership at meetings, conferences, and workshops and in other public settings. Participate in regional work groups, meetings, and conferences.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Organization Standards of Performance:

• Place the river and public trust at the forefront. Support and promote the mission and work of the Estuary Partnership. Be familiar with the activities of all Estuary Partnership program areas, the lower Columbia River and the National Estuary Program, natural resource protection, and community programming.
• Include diverse and underserved communities, such as communities of color, Indigenous people, and low-income communities, to improve racial, gender, and cultural responsiveness when working with colleagues and partners and in carrying out job duties and responsibilities.
• Cultivate a positive work ethic and inclusive work environment. Exhibit a positive attitude and high level of professionalism. Support Estuary Partnership employees, Board members, volunteers, and partners.
• Provide exceptional service, internally and externally. Adapt and continually improve.
• Attend work regularly and on-time.

Qualifications

Required Experience & Knowledge:

• Five years identifying, developing, designing, and implementing stormwater retrofit projects in collaboration with municipalities from initial concept, to permitting, to post project monitoring. A degree or course work in a related field can be included as experience.
• Five years of experience developing and managing multiple large-scale projects with various size budgets, deliverables, and deadlines with multiple partners.
• Understanding of and working familiarity with the various funding mechanisms for implementing stormwater projects. Proven experience securing funding for stormwater projects is desirable.
• Understanding of and working familiarity with practices of civil engineering; infrastructure design and construction; and federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations regarding stormwater management and public works construction.
• Working familiarity with stormwater modeling software such as hydroCAD is helpful but not required.
• Compiling, advertising, and evaluating competitive bid packages for the construction of stormwater projects.
• Interpreting and commenting on engineering design and construction sequencing plans and estimates.
• Ensuring project implementation and construction complies with federal, state and local laws, regulations and policies.
• Working familiarity with methods and techniques of community involvement, decision-making processes, and group processes.
• Working collaboratively.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Compensation

• Salary Range:  $62,150 – $85,150, Full Time Equivalent   
• Benefits:  After meeting eligibility requirements – competitive benefits including vacation, sick and holiday leave, participation in medical, dental, and retirement plans, and other benefits. 

To Apply

• Please click on "Apply on Company Website" below compile a cover letter, detailed resume, professional references, and answers to application questions.
• If you have difficulty using the form, please contact mgonzales@estuarypartnership.org. 
• Applications must be received by Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 4:00 pm PST to be considered.   

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Affirmation: The Estuary Partnership is committed to increasing diversity in the environmental field by providing supportive career development opportunities for people of color. People from communities of color, underserved communities, and low-income communities are strongly encouraged to apply.  

Non-Discrimination Statement: The Estuary Partnership is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identify expression, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, national origin, age, disability, physical appearance or genetic information, cultural, socio-economic status, or military or veteran status. The Estuary Partnership is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and values the hiring of protected veterans or individuals with veteran status.