Senior Restoration Ecologist

Mass Audubon is seeking a Senior Restoration Ecologist in Cambridge, MA, to manage and advance aquatic habitat restoration projects, particularly focusing on freshwater ecosystems. The role involves project management, data collection, engineering plan review, and collaboration with diverse teams and stakeholders. Candidates should have experience in restoration projects, strong interpersonal skills, and a passion for ecosystems. Responsibilities include developing project scopes, budgets, and public presentations.
About Mass AudubonMass Audubon is the largest nature-based conservation organization in New England. Founded in 1896 by two women who fought for the protection of birds, Mass Audubon carries on their legacy by focusing on the greatest challenges facing the environment today: the loss of biodiversity, inequitable access to nature, and climate change. With the help of our 160,000 members and supporters, we protect wildlife, conserve and restore resilient land, advocate for impactful environmental policies, offer nationally recognized education programs for adults and children, and provide endless opportunities to experience the outdoors at our wildlife sanctuaries. Explore, find inspiration, and take . About This PositionWe are seeking an experienced professional to join our team and help advance aquatic habitat restoration projects and initiatives. The ideal candidate will have experienced other restoration projects (ideally from start to finish), have an established track record as a successful project manager, be able to interpret engineering plans and supporting documentation, understand environmental permitting, have strong inter-personal skills, and possess knowledge, curiosity, and passion about ecosystems and restoring them. Working with the Director of Ecological Restoration and other conservation staff, the selected candidate will manage and collaborate on the assessment, design, permitting, and implementation of large river and wetland restoration projects. Applicants should be comfortable with leading teams and interacting with people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Application InstructionsPlease submit a resume and cover letter with your ADP application. Only applications with these materials will be reviewed.ResponsibilitiesManage ecological restoration projects (with a focus on freshwater ecosystems) including dam removals, cranberry bogs, and urban wetlands on land owned by Mass Audubon and on land owned by othersCoordinate closely with the Director of Ecological Restoration and others to develop and advance new ecological restoration projects and initiatives, with a focus on freshwater ecosystemsCollect, assemble, and succinctly summarize data to describe wetland restoration sites, watersheds, and regions for various projects and initiativesReview engineering design plans and supporting documentation for wetland and river restoration projects including technical reports, model outputs, cost estimates, and technical specificationsHelp visualize restoration designs and produce conceptual level plans and renderings using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and/or other design toolsPrepare written project summaries and updates, detailed budgets, schedules, grant applications, and other documents to advance projects from conception to completionDevelop and manage scopes of work, requests for proposals, and contracts for consultant technical servicesOrganize meetings, prepare agendas, manage teams, and work directly with a range of people and organizations including consultants, and partners including local, state, and federal agencies, watershed organizations, Tribes and Indigenous-led non-profits, farmers, academics, and othersContribute questions and insights to our internal learning system to improve ecological restoration practice and shared knowledge over timeMake public presentations and lead site toursQualificationsAt Mass Audubon, our highest priority is finding the best candidate for the job. Research has shown that people of color and women are less likely to apply for jobs if they don't believe they meet every one of the qualifications described in a job description. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our described qualifications or you have a less traditional background. We are looking for applicants with the following qualifications:Strong love of Nature and interest in collaborating with people to help ecosystems recover and thriveDegree (advanced preferred) in ecology, hydrology, geomorphology, engineering, botany, soil science, landscape design, or another field related to understanding complex and dynamic ecosystemsAt least five years of professional experience in ecological restoration or related conservation fieldsAbility to review and comment on design plans, technical reports, technical specifications, and costs estimatesAwareness of the dynamic context shaping ecological restoration work in Massachusetts today, including organizations, policies, funding, emerging methods, and supporting scienceExperience using geographic information systems (GIS; ArcGIS); ability to work with landscape design software and/or AutoCAD is helpful but not requiredComfort working with Microsoft Office products (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Teams including meeting virtuallyExperience with local, state, and federal permitting for ecological restoration projectsExcellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skillsAbility to work collaboratively with others and across multiple teamsCuriosity and willingness/ability to ask questions and seek answersCommitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in team building and community engagementValid driver's license, ability, and willingness to travel throughout the state frequently and the region occasionallyAbility to work independently and travel on foot over uneven terrainOccasional flexibility in working schedule including availability early mornings, nights and weekendsCompensation, Benefits and PerksThis position's pay range is $80,000-$90,000 per year; actual salary will reflect level of experience and qualifications relative to position requirements. Benefits eligible staff at Mass Audubon may elect to enroll in medical, dental, and vision plans. Mass Audubon also offers disability and life insurance plans, a retirement plan, and Flexible Spending Account options. Mass Audubon employment also includes access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through and the Reciprocity Agreement through the Consortium of Non-Profit Arts/Cultural/Environmental Organizations of New England. Mass Audubon employees enjoy 13 paid holidays (holidays may shift annually due to where days fall within calendar).Work ScheduleFull time schedule of 40 hours, Monday through Friday, with occasional work on evenings and weekends. Other RequirementsEmployees must successfully complete a CORI and SORI Background Check and a Motor Vehicle Record (if applicable) is required.Mass Audubon's Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Justice Mass Audubon embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are dedicated to forming a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply.Mass Audubon's mission is to "protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and for wildlife" by building a strong coalition of employees, volunteers, and community members. We recognize that the environmental movement and field of conservation have been affected by societal systems that have limited opportunity and access for many people. As a result, Mass Audubon is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We are engaged in an ongoing process of organizational assessment and change, designed to remove barriers and create a workplace where all forms of diversity are recognized and valued.Equal Employment Opportunity StatementMass Audubon is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. Mass Audubon prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.