Environmental Stewardship Manager

The City of Tacoma is hiring an Environmental Stewardship Manager to oversee environmental responsibilities for Tacoma Water, ensuring compliance with agreements and sustainability commitments. Key duties include environmental planning, staff leadership, project management, and budget oversight. The role requires onsite presence at the Green River Operations Center near Ravensdale, WA, at least three days a week, and involves collaboration with various teams to achieve utility objectives.
Tacoma Water is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Environmental Stewardship Manager to lead and oversee all aspects of our environmental responsibilities. This critical role ensures Tacoma Water's compliance with key agreements, regulatory requirements, and our commitment to environmental sustainability.

The Environmental Stewardship Manager is responsible for the development, implementation, tracking, and reporting of all matters related to Tacoma Water's environmental stewardship. This includes obligations formalized in key agreements and contractual documents (e.g., the Habitat Conservation Plan, the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Agreement, the Friends of the Green Agreement, the Additional Water Storage Agreement), as well as operational responsibilities (e.g., operation of fish passage facilities, forest practices, and environmental monitoring sites).

This position also oversees the review and effective operation of Water Division land management.

The ideal candidate will have expertise in leading cross-functional teams on complex projects, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and fostering collaboration between internal and external technical teams and stakeholders. They will have proven experience in environmental planning, habitat restoration, water resource management, and being an environmental steward that supports long-term sustainability efforts.

This position is located at our Green River Operations Center in the upper Green River Municipal Watershed near Ravensdale, WA. The successful candidate is expected to be onsite at least 3 days per week. The uninhabited 231 square mile watershed extends from the crest of the Cascade Mountains to the Headworks Diversion Dam located at river mile 61 on the Green River at an elevation of about 900 feet.

This position supervises one of three Tacoma Water teams co-located at this location and works in coordination with the other teams to achieve utility objectives.

Key Responsibilities:
• Environmental Planning & Implementation: Develop and implement short- and long-term environmental planning goals, activities, policies, and strategies, including environmental mitigation and restoration plans and agreements (e.g., Tacoma Water Habitat Conservation Plan). Manage environmental programs and initiatives in collaboration with Tacoma Water management.
• Staff Leadership & Project Management: Plan, direct, and evaluate the work of professional staff in developing, implementing, and evaluating environmental plans, associated water utility infrastructure plans, and mitigation of environmental impacts. Provide technical assistance to all operating sections of the Utility. Manage multiple large environmental projects, supervising staff and contractors in project planning, design, and execution. Examples include environmental mitigation for the Second Supply Project and the Howard Hanson Additional Water Storage Project, habitat mitigation and restoration projects, pipeline and road protection, fish handling facilities, and fish passage.
• Budget Management: Prepare, monitor, and manage the $5 million plus capital and operating budget to achieve environmental stewardship goals and requirements.
• Endangered Species Act (ESA) Compliance: Ensure Tacoma Water's compliance with the ESA and direct staff to develop required projects.
• Land Management & Acquisition: Coordinate with Real Property Services and Tacoma Water staff on real property asset management. Collaborate with the Watershed Operations Manager to identify and pursue purchase options for strategically important forest lands within the Green River Watershed.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Communication: Represent Tacoma Water with public agencies, citizen groups, and committees on environmental issues. Lead the negotiation and drafting of intergovernmental agreements and implementation procedures. Work with regulatory agencies to resolve technical, operational, and compliance issues. Communicate complex technical information to diverse audiences, including policymakers and the public, and develop recommendations regarding environmental programs.

Minimum Education:
Bachelor's degree in biology,…