The Post-Fire Recovery and River Project Manager will help lead CPRW’s efforts to improve watershed health and resilience by coordinating stakeholders and managing projects related to fire mitigation and recovery from the Cameron Peak Fire. The project manager will lead the oversight, coordination, and management CPRW’s post-fire restoration projects on public and private lands. These projects will include a variety of in-stream river restoration work including low-tech process-based restoration, hillslope erosion mitigation and the Project Manager will also work closely with other CPRW staff, the local municipalities, the US Forest Service, project design teams, researchers, landowners & other identified stakeholders to manage implementation of priority projects. The program manager will work with contractors to ensure individual project implementation occurs on schedule.
CPRW’s post-fire work is expected to continue through 2025. At this time, this position will shift from ~80% post-fire to managing our Rivers Program. While this position is employed by CPRW, it is partially funded and co-directed by the City of Greeley through 2025. CPRW recently completed a five-year strategic plan for the organization and this position will help to advance the goals and objectives of CPRW’s Rivers Program in the upper watershed.
We are seeking an individual that shares CPRW’s values, is good at managing multiple people and projects, an independent worker that is self-motivated, well-organized, strong logistics planning, and enjoys working with people from diverse backgrounds. The ideal candidate will also have a strong watershed/restoration or similar background. This position also requires strong GIS skills to ground truth mitigation project sites and guide contractors to appropriate sites.
The Project Manager is accountable for:
Managing Post Fire Restoration work (65% through 2025)
- Help coordinate Cameron Peak Fire recovery partners & projects across the watershed including the Cities of Greeley, the US Forest Service, Larimer County, researchers, and other non-profit partners.
- Works with contractors and design teams to develop additional priority post-fire restoration projects to complement on-going and previous restoration work.
- Working with USFS to obtain permission and approval for projects on federal lands.
- Coordinating project implementation with USFS on forest service lands.
- Working with landowners to obtain permission to work on private lands.
- Weekly construction oversight of restoration projects during the summer field season.
- Help coordinate post-fire volunteer projects.
Stakeholder and partner coordination (15%)
- Leading coordination of regular Cameron Peak Fire recovery committee meetings (setting agendas, meeting notes, action items, etc.) and updating partners on CPRW’s watershed recovery work.
- Leading bi-weekly post-fire project meetings.
- Help manage shared data across recover partners.
Fundraising and Fund Management (10%)
- Assist with the development and management of post-fire project budgets.
- Monthly and quarterly grant reporting.
- Seeks additional grant or other funding as needed to ensure holistic and successful projects are completed.
- Help to expand CPRW’s Rivers Program in the upper watershed.
Community Outreach (5%)
- Help organize and attend community meetings to keep the public and private landowners informed on post fire work & river restoration work.
- Help provide content for CPRW e-newsletter, social media, website.
2025 & Beyond: Manage CPRW’s Rivers Program
- Once the majority of CPRW’s post-fire recovery work is completed, this position will shift to helping manage CPRW’s Rivers Program with CPRW’s Watershed Project Manager. This position’s focus may shift from the Upper Watershed to the Lower Watershed depending on interest and funding.
Working Conditions
This job will require working in an office setting and field setting. Field conditions may include varying and extreme weather conditions, cold, heat, sun exposure, wet weather, potential exposure to irritants such as dust. Field conditions could include steep, unstable terrain, proximity to fast-moving water, proximity to highway traffic, and other typical conditions associated with travel in the foothills of the Poudre Watershed. Position may include working weekends and evenings. Participation in volunteer restoration days and other field tasks is expected to include activities such as lifting, bending, stooping, squatting, kneeling, pulling, pushing, and reaching overhead and above shoulders, using tools, using your hands and fingers, walking, standing, and sitting for extended periods of time. Duties will also include driving of employee’s personal vehicle (with mileage reimbursement). Work on weekends will also be occasionally required.
Education and Experience Required
Bachelor’s degree in watershed science, hydrology, geomorphology, environmental engineering, or closely related field.
A minimum of 3 years of experience in related project management is required. Must have demonstrable leadership and management experience in a professional setting. A strong working knowledge of Colorado water, water resources hydrology, and water projects is a plus.
Preferred Qualifications
- A proven track record of leading teams and completing projects, including working with sub-contractors on project implementation.
- Ability to manage complex project logistics and to meet timelines and milestones for project deliverables.
- Demonstrated knowledge of post fire hydrology/geomorphology and post-fire mitigation techniques.
- Experience interpreting river restoration designs.
- 3+ years’ experience writing and managing grants and understanding Federal and State grant compliance.
- Experience with managing complex state and federal project budgets.
- Data management competency.
- Experience with environmental permitting processes
- Knowledge of Colorado hydrology, water administration, and law.
Position Summary
- Expected start date: Monday, August 14, 2023
- Salary range: $57,000-$65,000, depending on experience
- Full-time (40hrs/week)
- Position reports to the Executive Director
- Access to a car required (mileage reimbursed at federal rate)
- Position will be housed in Fort Collins, CO with flexibility to work from home as needed
- Benefits: 3% employer retirement match plan; monthly health stipend; PTO provided and 12 paid holidays
How to Apply
Applications due by close of business on July 10, 2023. Please send a cover letter, resume, and three references to hallys@poudrewatershed.org. Please include your last name – Post-Fire Project Manager position into the subject. No phone calls please. Applications may be mailed to Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed, 320 East Vine Dr, Ste 317, Fort Collins CO, 80524.
