Restoration Permitting Specialist

Ducks Unlimited is hiring a full-time Restoration Permitting Specialist to support environmental compliance for aquatic habitat restoration projects across the western U.S. The position can be based in Rancho Cordova, CA, or Vancouver, WA, with potential remote work options available. Key responsibilities include developing compliance strategies, assembling permit applications, and providing support during project construction. Candidates should have strong organizational skills and a commitment to ecological restoration.
Restoration Permitting Specialist

Rancho Cordova, CA or Vancouver, WA

Ducks Unlimited, Inc. (DU) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to conserve, restore and manage wetlands and associated habitats for North American waterfowl, other wildlife and people. The Western Regional Office of DU has an opening for a full-time Restoration Permitting Specialist to round out our mission driven and close-knit Environmental Compliance Team. The successful candidate will provide essential permitting and environmental compliance support to DU conservation teams delivering aquatic habitat restoration and enhancement projects across the western states. The position will be based out of either our Western Regional Office in Rancho Cordova, CA, or field office in Vancouver, WA, contingent on the skill set and previous experience of the successful applicant. Remote work options may be available based on the experience and qualifications of the successful candidate.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Environmental Compliance Team provides permitting and compliance support to critically important restoration and enhancement projects across the west, including projects in California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, and Nevada. Regulatory compliance-related job responsibilities may span one or more of those states, depending on the experience and location of the successful candidate, and will include:
• Development of environmental compliance strategies for aquatic restoration projects. Strategies should reflect a broad understanding of applicable federal, state, and local natural resource regulations. Familiarity with streamlined natural resource permit processes available to voluntary restoration projects is beneficial.
• Assembling federal and state permit applications packages to support project implementation, including packages in compliance with Sections 401 and 404 of the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, National Historic Preservation Act, and similar state laws that protect wetlands, special-status species, and cultural resources.
• Preparing (or overseeing preparation of) National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and/or Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) environmental documents, as necessary, based on the location of the project.
• Preparing requests for proposals to solicit professional assistance in developing, designing, and implementing compliance-related work products.
• Developing proposals (scope, cost, schedule) to support DU conservation teams seeking to secure funding for projects.
• Providing compliance support during project construction, including on-the-ground interpretation of permit terms and conditions and real-time coordination with regulatory and resource agencies.

QUALIFICATIONS

Ducks Unlimited is seeking a talented and self-motivated person to join our team of conservation minded biologists and engineers restoring and enhancing aquatic habitats in the San Francisco Bay Area. The successful candidate will have strong organizational and inter-personal skills, a positive attitude and commitment to ecological restoration, and the ability to work well both independently and as part of a team. Strong candidates will be excited to take on new and challenging tasks that could vary from project to project.

Education and Experience - The successful candidate must have a Bachelor's degree in an environmental planning or natural resources related field from an accredited college or university.

Applicants must have at least three years of relevant experience, preferably with demonstrated success in preparing federal and state natural resource permit applications in one of the states within the western region. Familiarity and experience permitting multi-disciplinary wetland or estuarine restoration projects in California, Oregon or Washington is preferred. The ability to complete plant surveys, wildlife surveys, or wetland delineations may be beneficial, but is not required.

Communication Skills - The successful candidate must be able to communicate permit requirements and processes to teams of varying backgrounds, including DU staff, project partners, landowners, and regulators. Clear and succinct verbal and written communication skills are essential. Applicants may be required to provide recent examples of permit application packages they prepared to support a project.

Technical Skills - The successful candidate must be proficient in the use of MS Office software, comfortable working online, and comfortable using a personal computer. Job responsibilities may require field work in adverse weather and landscape conditions and may require overnight travel. Familiarity with ArcPro, GPS equipment, and all-terrain vehicles is beneficial.

SALARY: $80,000.00- $110,000.00 annually. Salary commensurate with education and experience.

BENEFITS PACKAGE: Ducks Unlimited offers an exceptional benefit package that includes comprehensive group medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance, including spouse and dependent coverage; three weeks paid vacation; paid sick leave and 10 paid holidays; 401(k) plan (including partial employer match); and tuition reimbursement.

For more information regarding this please see posted "Jobs" at www.ducks.org, or contact:

Maria Camacho, Executive Assistant

Ducks Unlimited, Inc.
Western Regional Office
3074 Gold Canal Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications will be accepted until a qualified applicant is identified.

DUCKS UNLIMITED, INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

It is the policy of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. to afford equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 or over), disability (physical, mental or visual), genetic information, marital status (including registered domestic partnership status), military and veteran status, immigration status, or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.