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Salmon Habitat/Fish Passage Project Manager
Reports To: Executive Director
Direct Reports: Restoration and Culvert Assessment Technicians, Interns, Volunteers
Status: Full-time, non-exempt
Compensation: $28-$36 per hour (DOQ), plus medical, dental, vision, life insurance,
3% Retirement match, 12 holidays, and 3 weeks paid time off years 1 and 2, and 4 weeks years 3+
Work Location: Primarily Snohomish County, Occasionally South Island County and NE King
Position Summary:
We are seeking a motivated, positive, and collaborative person to identify and implement new stream restoration projects from start to completion in the Snohomish and Stillaguamish River Watersheds and the South Island County Watershed. This new position at Sound Salmon Solutions will manage projects such as fish passage assessment and construction, nutrient enhancement, and mainstream, side-channel, and riparian restoration projects. The selected candidate will be responsible for carrying out all aspects of habitat restoration by identifying new opportunities, writing grants and permit applications, supervising technicians, coordinating the procurement of materials, equipment, and contractors, and monitoring and reporting as well as overseeing some existing riparian projects.
Project Manager Duties & Responsibilities:
Identify, develop, and pursue funding for salmon habitat restoration projects.
Manage the design of restoration projects - coordinate with stakeholders, regulatory personnel, engineers, and other technical disciplines. Review designs and ensure compliance with stakeholder and resource objectives.
Implement the techniques and principles of Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration whenever possible.
Develop and manage project timelines and budgets in cooperation with the Executive Director, staff, and Board. Ensure projects are on schedule and within budget.
Grant management and reporting.
Supervision of culvert assessment technicians, restoration technicians, interns, and volunteers
Develop scopes of work, conduct competitive bid processes, execute contracts, and supervise subcontractors (engineers, construction contractors, etc.).
Construction management and inspection.
Acquire all necessary regulatory permits, landowner agreements, utility access, etc.
Coordinate fish removals and other project elements with state and federal permits.
Coordinate (gather agenda items, set meeting dates, take notes) facilitate, and attend meetings of partners and stakeholders.
Administrative Duties & Responsibilities:
Track billable hours, miles traveled, purchases, and other items and report regularly to the finance manager and funding entities.
Assist the Financial Manager by providing grant reporting required for invoicing.
Participate in Staff meetings and outreach events. Participate in board meetings as needed.
Preferred Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
In-depth knowledge of the riverine environment as it relates to native fish and their habitat requirements.
Experience with techniques and principles of fish habitat restoration and Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration.
Experience collecting and evaluating ground and surface water information.
Experience writing and managing salmon habitat restoration grants.
Experience with ArcGIS Pro.
Ability to effectively communicate and cooperate with stakeholders including private landowners.
Experience managing professional service, construction, and associated contracts.
Ability to develop and track project budgets and schedules.
Experience with local, state, and federal permitting processes.
Proficiency in written and oral communication with diverse audiences.
Ability to work effectively alone and in a collaborative environment.
Education/Experience Required:
A bachelor’s degree in fisheries, natural resources, construction management, hydrology, fluvial geomorphology, engineering, or a similar degree, and a minimum of two years of work experience that closely resembles the duties and responsibilities of this position.
Special Requirements:
A valid Washington State driver’s license. A valid First Aid and CPR Certification is preferred and is required if supervising interns or volunteers. (We will arrange class and testing if needed.) A Washington State Patrol background check is required for all personnel working directly with children.
Working Conditions:
Sound Salmon Solutions’ main office is in downtown Mukilteo, WA; however, staff are working hybrid. Remote work could be an option; however, this position is expected to meet frequently with Sound Salmon Solutions staff, project partners, and landowners in our service area. Much of the work is spent on the computer and phone coordinating stakeholders and resources necessary to advance habitat restoration projects. During the field season, from May to October, Project Managers are typically in the field three to five days per week. Work is performed outdoors, in inclement weather, and around dangerous construction equipment. Some projects are in remote and rugged terrain with limited to no cell phone service. This position is expected to be capable of walking small streams, planting trees, and doing physical labor associated with restoration activities.
To Apply:
Please send an electronic version of your cover letter, resume, and three professional references to Mary Brueggeman at mary@soundsalmonsolutions.org.
Fish Passage Assessment Lead Technician
Reports to: Habitat Project Manager
Status: Full-Time, Non-permanent, Non-Exempt (hourly)
Anticipated End Date: August 2028, with possibility of extension based on available funding
Compensation: $20.00 per hour, plus employer-provided health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, PTO, paid holidays, a 403(b)-retirement plan. (If you elect to decline medical benefits, your rate of pay will increase by $1.00 per hour; i.e., the pay would be $21.00 per hour).
Work Location and schedule: Primarily Snohomish County, eastern and northeastern King County and occasionally South Island County. Generally, works four 10-hour days (Monday through Thursday).
Position Summary:
Lead a small field team conducting fish passage barrier assessments in the Stillaguamish, Snohomish, and south Whidbey Island watersheds. Assist in riparian restoration activities including planting native trees and shrubs and invasive species removal.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Independently or with Fish Passage Outreach Coordinator, lead 2-3 person Fish Passage Barrier assessment field team (70-85% time) as directed by the Habitat Project Manager. Complete Level A and, as needed, level B Fish Passage Assessments in accordance with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) Fish Passage Inventory, Assessment, and Prioritization Manual.
Work with Sound Salmon Solutions habitat restoration field crew (15-30% time) to control invasive species by chemical and mechanical methods and plant native species to restore riparian habitats.
Use standard survey equipment to measure stream reach morphology and assess in-stream structures.
Use independent judgment to handle situations encountered in the field that are not addressed in a strict protocol such as the WDFW Fish Passage Inventory, Assessment, and Prioritization Manual.
Ensure the legal and safe operation of field vehicles and equipment and oversee the safe and effective work practices of a field team.
Maintain high standards of professionalism while communicating and engaging with private landowners and public agency personnel. Ensure the professionalism of field technicians led by this position.
Accurately collect, record, and quality-check field data required for fish passage assessments following the WDFW Fish Passage Inventory, Assessment, and Prioritization Manual (2019).
Analyze Level B data as needed using WDFW Fish Passage Level B Protocol: Qfp, StreamStats, and FishXing.
Work with Fish Passage Outreach Coordinator to maintain consistency of data with WDFW and the Tulalip Tribe’s standards.
Meet with the Fish Passage Outreach Coordinator and Habitat Project Manager regularly to discuss project scheduling and deliverable expectations for the Fish Passage Crew to ensure work completion is on schedule and within budget.
Assist Outreach Coordinator in outreach to landowners through door-to-door visits, to determine their willingness to enable site access for fish passage assessments on their property.
Assist Outreach Coordinator in maintaining the FP Tulalip Inventory Map to reserve assessment sites within the designated project area and to identify unmapped culverts using LiDAR imagery.
Assist Outreach Coordinator in maintaining the internal SSS Fish Passage map and mobile data collection forms on Field Maps Designer.
Assist Outreach Coordinator in conducting QA/QC inspections of data collected on the SSS Fish Passage Tulalip Inventory Map forms to ensure consistency with WDFW and the Tulalip Tribes standards, and submit inspected data to Survey 123
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
A Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, environmental sciences, natural resources, or a similar field. Four years of relevant work experience may substitute for a Bachelor’s degree in the fields listed.
At least 2 years of relevant working experience, including 1 year of experience supervising and overseeing a field crew or field technicians.
Willingness and ability to test for and obtain a Washington State Pesticide Applicator license.
A Valid Driver’s License.
Preferred Qualifications:
Knowledge of WDFW Fish Passage Inventory, Assessment, and Prioritization Manual (2019) protocols.
Experience using field survey equipment such as Field Maps, laser survey equipment, digital cameras, GPS, clinometers, compasses, and stream morphology measuring tools.
Experience conducting data collection and Level B data analysis techniques in barrier determination of human-made in-stream water features.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both in verbal and written formats.
Ability to interpret aerial imagery and topographic maps to identify relevant features, and to navigate using available resources and accurately measure features on maps.
Skilled in safely operating hand and power tools such as hedge trimmers and hand snips. Able to maintain/complete minor field repairs.
Comfortable working around heavy equipment such as excavators and tractors.
Comfortable working around water and in the safe operation of small boats.
Comfortable with the use of herbicides once provided with proper training and safety protocols.
Ability to operate a four-wheel drive truck.
Physical Requirements: (The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job):
Successful candidate must be able to:
Work in or cross streams and rivers with calm to moderate currents and depths of up to several feet.
Perform physically demanding work in the outdoors, at remote locations, on difficult terrain, and in all types of weather.
Lift 60 lbs. into and out of trucks.
Walk up to 5-miles over steep or uneven terrain.
Operate a brush-cutter or backpack sprayer up to 10 hours per day.
To Apply:
Please send an electronic version of your cover letter, resume, and three professional references to Matt Distler at matt@soundsalmonsolutions.org. Applications received by September 8th will be given priority consideration.
No phone calls or drop-ins please.
Sound Salmon Solutions is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state, or local law.