Job Description

Mission

The mission of West Creek Conservancy is to enrich the lives of people in Greater Cleveland by conserving natural habitats, restoring the ecological value and sustainability of urban lands, and expanding neighborhood opportunities to experience nature.

Core Services & Goals

West Creek Conservancy is a land trust serving all of Cuyahoga County. The Conservancy has developed expertise in the specialized work of acquiring and stewarding urban greenspace. Its core services are land transaction and protection. Specifically, the Conservancy works with landowners to permanently protect the conservation values of selected land by:

• Acquiring and holding land and conservation easements
• Providing ongoing stewardship of those easement and land acquisitions

In accordance with its mission, the Conservancy uses this expertise to achieve four major goals:

• Protect natural areas for people and wildlife
• Restore streams and habitats to clean our air and water
• Connect people to nature by creating recreational trails and greenways
• Reclaim the ecological value of vacant urban land to strengthen our neighborhoods

West Creek Conservancy also shares its expertise to help others negotiate, buy, own, protect, and restore natural areas. It routinely partners with local watershed groups, park systems, citizens, municipalities, agencies, community development corporations, and other conservation interests to:

• Plan and prioritize conservation projects
• Build community support and involvement for projects
• Prepare and manage grants
• Negotiate with landowners
• Restore habitat
• Provide public access by developing trails and greenways
• Steward conservation lands

Responsibilities of the Project Manager

• Provide direct services to Central Lake Erie Collaborative Partners (Collaborative) including landowner site visits and review of development plans, through WCC.
• Assist with implementing stream and wetland protection and restoration, green stormwater infrastructure, floodplain mitigation, and outdoor recreational improvement projects, including coordination with regulatory authorities.
• Assist communities in developing, adopting, and implementing model regulations including riparian and wetland setbacks, erosion and sediment control, comprehensive stormwater management, conservation development, off-street parking and Best Local Land Use Practices of the Ohio Balanced Growth Program.
• Prepare and assist with grant applications for members and to fund operations and special projects.
• Manage projects for West Creek Conservancy and the Collaborative and implement watershed initiatives funded by various grant programs.
• Provide technical assistance to the Collaborative to accelerate watershed protection and restoration efforts across the region.

Skills and Qualifications of the Project Manager

• Must be self-motivated, energetic, and demonstrate strong organizational and leadership skills.
• Excellent problem solving, presentation, and writing skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, members and project partners.
• Ability to simultaneously manage multiple watershed protection and restoration projects.
• Ability to conduct natural resource fieldwork and attend evening meetings on a regular basis.
• Three to five (3-5) years of experience in watershed management, stormwater management, natural resource management, land conservation, environmental policy or related field as well as project management experience required.
• Grant writing experience preferred.
• Proficiency Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint, Excel, and desktop publishing
• Must be able to use personal vehicle for work-related travel on a regular basis. Mileage will be reimbursed at WCC-approved level.
• Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, environmental science or related field required, with graduate degree in biology, ecology, water resources, natural resource management, environmental science/planning, or related field strongly preferred.
• Understanding of laws and policies governing land use and water quality management at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Ability to interact with the public and conduct educational programs for a variety of audiences.
• Fast paced, energetic work environment.

Salary & Benefits

• Salary range from $45,000 to $55,000, commensurate with experience and education (Full Time)
• Two (2) weeks paid vacation per year.
• Medical coverage, including dental and vision.
• Equal opportunity employer.

How to Apply

• Email resume, writing sample (5 pages maximum), and 3 references to Derek [email protected] by 11:59 p.m. July 31, 2016.
• Applications will only be accepted electronically.

Job Categories: Conservation. Job Types: Full-Time. Job Tags: Cleveland jobs, conservation jobs, floodplain mitigation, green stormwater infrastructure, habitat restoration, stream restoration, and wetland protection.

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