Watershed Restoration Project Manager

The Sierra Institute for Community and Environment is hiring a Watershed Restoration Project Manager in Taylorsville, CA. This role involves managing watershed restoration projects, collaborating with various stakeholders, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. Responsibilities include project assessment, design, implementation, and monitoring, as well as budget management and staff supervision. Candidates should have a relevant degree and experience in ecological fieldwork.
The Sierra Institute for Community and Environment seeks a qualified individual to fill the position of

Watershed Restoration Project Manager with responsibilities for a growing suite of watershed restoration

projects. The Sierra Institute’s watershed restoration work emphasizes the collaborative development of

meadow and stream restoration and forest road infrastructure improvements that improve ecological

function and protect critical aquatic resources. The current project portfolio is centered on a million-acre

focal landscape for the South Lassen Watersheds Group, a collaborative addressing forest and watershed

management, climate resilience, and economic development in critical upper watersheds of Battle Creek,

Mill Creek, Deer Creek, and the upper North Fork of the Feather River.

This is a tremendous opportunity for a talented natural resource professional who is excited to join a

collaborative organization expanding capacity for restoration across the Northern Sierra and Southern

Cascades. The selected individual will work closely with Sierra Institute staff, non-governmental partners,

and federal land management agencies to advance watershed restoration as part of multiple large

landscape restoration projects to improve forest resilience across the only anadromous watersheds on

public lands in the Sierra Nevada, as well as support post-fire restoration in the Dixie Fire footprint.

Core functions for the Project Manager will include assessment, project identification, design,

implementation, and monitoring of meadow and riparian restoration projects, as well as for road and

stream crossing improvements. The selected individual will also be expected to apply technical and

analytical expertise to support the completion of environmental analysis to meet state and federal legal

standards (i.e., California Environmental Quality Act, National Environmental Policy Act), as well

meeting permitting requirements (e.g. Army Corps 404 Permits, Clean Water Act Sec. 401 Permits, and

CDFW Lake and Streambed Alteration Permits). The Project Manager will have responsibility for

tracking and achieving key deliverables across multiple grants, agreements, and contracts, budget control,

leading fieldwork including implementation, supervising seasonal and permanent staff, and coordinating

the work of multiple subcontractors and partners.

The selected individual will be engaged in a variety of aspects of the Community-based Natural Resource

Management program, including providing critical hydrological expertise to forest restoration as part of

Sierra Institute’s landscape restoration planning and implementation, and will play a key role in

connecting watershed restoration projects with Sierra Institute’s workforce development programs –

including P-CREW, a 21st Century Youth Conservation Corp, and High Roads to Tribal Forest

Restoration and Stewardship, a Sierra Institute-led tribal workforce training initiative.

Qualifications

Required

• An undergraduate degree in a relevant field (wildland hydrology, geology, fisheries, or related natural resource/environmental sciences), and two years of work experience

• Experience performing geomorphic, hydrologic, or relevant ecological fieldwork

• Demonstrated experience with technical writing for natural resource management

• Thorough understanding of environmental analysis and permitting requirements and processes

• Ability to meet deadlines both independently and as a team member

• Detail-oriented, organized, and able to work well on simultaneous tasks

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• A valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation

• A strong desire to engage in land management issues and collaborative landscape management

projects

Preferred

• Prior hydrology/meadow/stream-based fieldwork and/or project experience in southern Cascades

or northern Sierra Nevada watersheds

• Direct experience completing NEPA, CEQA, and restoration permitting

• Experience working in post-fire forested environments

• Expertise managing project budgets, building partnerships, and leading staff

More Details

Compensation

Anticipated salary range $55,000 – $85,000, commensurate with experience. Most new hires will begin toward the lower end of the listed range as part of the Sierra Institute’s commitment to maintain internal salary equity. The Sierra Institute maintains an extensive benefits package, including:

• 85% Employer paid health insurance coverage

• 100% Employer paid dental and vision insurance coverage

• 403(b) retirement plan with a 4% employer contribution, and an employer match up to an

additional 4%

• 2 weeks of paid vacation per year, increasing to three weeks after two years of employment

• 12 days of paid sick leave per year

• 11 paid holidays

Location

A hybrid work arrangement may be negotiated; however, the Watershed Restoration Project Manager

will be expected to reside within reasonable commuting distance of the Sierra Institute’s office in the

rural northern Sierra town of Taylorsville to enable regular engagement in the field, with staff at the

office, and with local partners. This position works both indoors in an office setting and in the field to

collect data, coordinate and oversee implementation, and complete monitoring activities. Some travel for

meetings, site visits, and workshops is expected, with occasional overnight stays.

About the Sierra Institute

The Sierra Institute promotes healthy forests, watersheds, and communities by investing in the wellbeing of rural communities and strengthening their participation in natural resource management. Our

work is grounded by the concept of triple bottom line values, supporting initiatives that

simultaneously benefit the environment, economy, and equity within a given landscape. The Sierra

Institute’s office is in Taylorsville, CA (pop. 154), which lies within a large mountain meadow

referred to as “Indian Valley,” that includes the communities of Greenville and Crescent Mills.

How to Apply

Please send your cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references as one PDF to

jobs@sierrainstitute.us with “Watershed Restoration Project Manager” in the subject line. Applications

will be reviewed as they are received.

Minimum Education and Experience

Minimum Months of Experience: 24
Education Required: Bachelor's
Minimum Hourly Wage: 26.44
Maximum Hourly Wage: 40.87