Project Manager

JOB TITLE: Project Manager

OFFICE LOCATION: Woodland, CA

FUNCTIONAL AREA: Conservation

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-time, Exempt

REPORTS TO: Regional Manager, Jacob Montgomery

COMPENSATION: $66,560 - $70,000 / annually

Position Summary:

Like most major rivers in the developed world, the Sacramento River Valley has been extensively leveed and channelized, leaving less than 5% of floodplain habitats accessible to Sacramento River salmon. Sacramento Valley fish habitat degradation, caused primarily by dam and levee construction, has resulted in large population declines, erosion of salmon phenotypic diversity. CalTrout s String of Pearls is a comprehensive program to increase both the pace and scale of floodplain restoration in the Sacramento Valley, home to the most diverse Chinook salmon runs on Earth. The project will prioritize, restore and enhance floodplain and off-channel rearing habitat along the entire 300-mile freshwater migratory corridor of Sac Valley salmon between Redding and Rio Vista. Because winter and spring run populations are balanced on the very edge of extinction, we understand that we must act now. We also understand that only through landscape-scale habitat action can we expect a population-level response.Recovery of Sacramento Valley salmon populations, therefore, requires transformational change now. That s why this project combines the urgency of implementing shovel-ready restoration projects with the investment in a planning framework that will transform the speed, extent and ecological impact of Sacramento Valley floodplain restoration actions.

California Trout seeks a motivated Project Manager to lead a landscape-scale approach to increase the spatial and temporal diversity of rearing habitat available to juvenile salmon. The project stitches many small, disconnected restoration opportunities together into a landscape-scale string of floodplain pearls which will improve the success of juvenile salmonids out-migrating through what is currently hundreds of river miles of hostile, channelized and food-starved river channel. The successful applicant will lead a large multi-disciplinary team that will: 1) Implement floodplain and side-channel habitat restoration projects including the largest potential off-channel habitat restoration project in the upper Sacramento Valley, 2) Develop a programmatic pipeline of floodplain restoration opportunities to accelerate the pace and extent of landscape-scale restoration.

The Project Manager will join a highly motivated and experienced team committed to leading with science, improving water management, and restoring fish populations in the Sacramento Valley, the main conduit for California s water supply. The successful candidate will have strong project management skills, data quality control and analysis skills, excellent written and oral communication skills, and a demonstrated ability to work with a diverse set of regional partners including tribes, state and federal agencies and universities.

This position should anticipate travel between the Woodland and Sacramento office.

Roles & Responsibilities:

1. Project Planning and Development:
   • Develop detailed project plans, including scope, objectives, timelines, budgets, and resource requirements.
   • Conduct feasibility assessments and risk analyses to ensure project viability and sustainability.
   • Prepare project proposals, securing necessary approvals and funding.
2. Project Execution and Management:
   • Lead the implementation of conservation projects, ensuring adherence to project plans, budgets, and timelines.
   • Coordinate and oversee project activities, including field surveys, habitat restoration, and community engagement.
   • Manage project resources, including personnel, equipment, and materials, to optimize efficiency and effectiveness.
3. Team Leadership and Coordination:
   • Supervise project teams, providing direction, support, and performance feedback to ensure high-quality work.
   • Foster a collaborative team environment, promoting effective communication and teamwork.
   • Identify and resolve any issues or conflicts that arise during project execution.
4. Stakeholder Engagement and Communication:
   • Build and maintain relationships with project stakeholders, including partners, funders, community members, and regulatory agencies.
   • Communicate project progress, challenges, and successes to stakeholders through regular updates, reports, and presentations.
   • Represent California Trout at meetings, conferences, and public events, advocating for our conservation initiatives.
5. Financial Management:
   • Develop and manage project budgets, ensuring accurate tracking and reporting of expenditures.
   • Monitor financial performance, making adjustments as necessary to stay within budget constraints.
   • Assist in grant writing and reporting, providing necessary financial data and narratives to secure and maintain funding.
6. Quality Assurance and Compliance:
   • Ensure that all project activities comply with relevant laws, regulations, and organizational policies.
   • Implement best practices and standards for project management and conservation work.
   • Conduct regular evaluations and audits to assess project performance and outcomes.
7. Reporting and Documentation:
   • Prepare detailed project reports, documenting progress, outcomes, and lessons learned.
   • Maintain comprehensive project records and documentation for reference and compliance purposes.
   • Contribute to the development of publications, case studies, and other materials to share project insights and achievements.

The Project Manager should demonstrate competence and dedication to CalTrout s mission, initiatives, and conservation issues. This primarily includes science and monitoring, watershed and fisheries habitat restoration and conservation, recovery and protection of endangered species, and protection of water resources and their beneficial uses. This role requires a high-level understanding of executing environmental studies, resource management, and resource agencies and their mandates. The Project Manager is expected to work independently, using professional knowledge and judgment in ensuring that duties and responsibilities are carried out in a timely manner and that policy, and procedures are followed, but also be able to work collaboratively as part of a team with diverse backgrounds and interests.

Requirements & Qualifications:

• Bachelor s degree in environmental science, natural resource management, project management, or a related field (Master s degree preferred).
• 3+ Years of proven experience in project management in an environmental conservation or a related sector.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and guide diverse teams.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving abilities, with a keen attention to detail.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and collaborate with stakeholders.
• Proficiency in project management software and tools.
• Knowledge of environmental regulations, conservation practices, and grant management is highly desirable.
• Passion for environmental conservation and commitment to California Trout s mission.

Physical Demands

1. Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
2. Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times.
3. Ability to operate a motor vehicle to commute to/from remote work sites.
4. Ability to occasionally tolerate uncomfortable outdoor working conditions (rain, cold temperatures, hot sun) and navigate uneven terrain.

Benefits: California Trout offers competitive compensation commensurate with experience; health benefits (medical, dental, and vision), retirement plan with matching, generous holidays, PTO benefits, and sabbatical leave.

California Trout (CalTrout) is a highly recognized and effective 501(c)3 conservation organization headquartered in San Francisco. For over 50 years, CalTrout has championed a remarkable number of initiatives focused on solving complex resource issues that balance the needs of fish and people. CalTrout has six regionally based offices located in key geographies where wild fish influence local communities. Our professional staff drives innovative, science-based solutions that work for the diverse interests of fish, farms, commerce and the community. CalTrout is backed by a passionate Board of Directors, along with highly committed donors and a strong membership base.

Diversity: CalTrout does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or any other applicable legally protected characteristics.

We re passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Companies that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, and perspective are proven to be better companies. More importantly, creating an environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best work is the right thing to do.