Central Valley Program Director, Sierra Nevada Program Director, River Parkway Project Manager

Tuolumne River Trust is recruiting for various positions: Central Valley Program Director (Modesto), River Parkway Project Manager (Modesto), and Sierra Nevada Program Director (Sonora). Please scroll down for job descriptions.

CENTRAL VALLEY PROGRAM DIRECTOR
The Tuolumne River Trust has an immediate opening for a Central Valley Program Director. With a clear vision, a successful track record, and the resources to add several new staff, the Trust is ideally poised to leverage greater support for our work to protect and restore this California jewel. This is a great opportunity to join a dynamic team working to take a successful organization to the next level during an exciting period of growth from an existing staff of 7 to a staff of at least 12. The successful candidate will oversee all aspects of the Trust’s Central Valley Program. The full-time position will require work in Stanislaus County plus occasional travel to Sacramento, San Francisco, Sonora and other places in the San Joaquin Valley.

The goal of the Central Valley Program is to improve the lower Tuolumne River for wildlife and people by:
• improving flows and habitat via a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) relicensing of Don Pedro Dam;
• implementing the vision for the Lower Tuolumne River Parkway, a mosaic of habitat and recreation projects to enhance the environmental, recreational, and economic value of the river; and
• building a broad constituency for these projects through public outreach and education.

The Central Valley Program Director coordinates these and all other aspects of the Trust’s Central Valley Program in advancing work to restore the lower Tuolumne River, its fishery and wildlife resources, improve recreational opportunities on the river, and ensure successful implementation of our outreach and education program. To accomplish these varied goals, the Central Valley Program will grow from an existing staff of 1 to a staff of at least 3 full-time and 1 part-time during which the Central Valley Program Director, River Parkways Project Manager, and Outing Coordinator will be hired. S/He will oversee this growth phase while working closely with the Deputy Executive Director, River Parkways Project Manager, Education and Outreach Director, and Outings Coordinator.

Duties and Responsibilities
1. Strengthen the Trust as the preeminent conservation and environmental organization in Stanislaus County.
2. Overall responsibility for guiding the Central Valley Program through a growth phase while implementing the Trust’s Central Valley projects , including advocacy via a FERC-relicensing process, implementation of the Lower Tuolumne River Parkway, and outreach and education.
3. Supervise the Central Valley Program team including a River Parkway Project Manager, Education and Outreach Program Director, Outings Coordinator, and an advisory body of scientists, legal experts, and fishery specialists to improve public policies and land conservation related to river restoration goals.
4. Direct oversight of the Trust’s program to improve flow and habitat conditions for salmon and steelhead via implementation of the negotiated 1995 Settlement Agreement and through a FERC-led dam relicensing process.
5. Forge alliances among disparate groups to promote improved habitat conditions along the lower Tuolumne River.
6. Engage the media to effectively advance project objectives and communicate project results to a broad array of audiences.
7. Work with the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, and Development Director to identify, pursue and secure grants to expand the Program.
8. Promote restoration of physical processes of the Tuolumne River within the communities in Stanislaus County, especially with farmers, ranchers, landowners, the City of Modesto, and Stanislaus County.
9. Represent the Tuolumne River Trust to government officials and other organizations on matters related to the lower Tuolumne River and its watershed.
10. Other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications
1. Advanced degree in engineering, biology, hydrology, law, environmental policy, planning, landscape architecture or other related field.
2. 3-5 years experience in the environmental field, preferably including background in California’s Central Valley water issues, especially FERC relicensing, salmon restoration, and flood management.
3. Prior experience and ability in building relationships and working with people from different backgrounds and perspectives.
4. Experience in working with irrigation districts, FERC, and government agencies to improve river management.
4. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
5. Prior successful experience in grant writing, contract management, and budget management.
6. Experience working with land trusts a plus.

Additional Details
Salary is very competitive and depends on experience. Excellent benefits. The Trust is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse staff. The full-time position is based in Modesto and will require work in Stanislaus County, plus occasional travel to Sacramento, San Francisco, Sonora, and other places in California. This job offers excellent potential for professional growth.
The position will be open until filled. The first round of interviews will occur in late-June or early-July. Please send an email (with cover letter, resume, three references, and 2-page writing sample as attachments) with subject heading “Central Valley Program Director” to Karyn Carr at karyn@tuolumne.org. No phone calls please.

RIVER PARKWAY PROJECT MANAGER
The Tuolumne River Trust has an immediate opening for a River Parkway Project Manager. With a clear vision, a successful track record, and the resources to add several new staff, the Trust is ideally poised to leverage greater support for the Lower Tuolumne River Parkway. This is a great opportunity to join a dynamic team working to take a successful organization to the next level during an exciting period of growth from an existing staff of 7 to a staff of at least 12. The successful candidate will oversee all aspects of the Trust’s Central Valley Program. The full-time position will require work in Stanislaus County plus occasional travel to Sacramento, San Francisco, Sonora and other places in the San Joaquin Valley.

Working under the supervision of the Central Valley Program Director and the Deputy Executive Director, the River Parkway Project Manager manages and coordinates all aspects of protection, science, stewardship, community and government relations for the Lower Tuolumne River Parkway, an initiative to implement a mosaic of public and private habitat and recreation projects along the 52-mile reach of the lower Tuolumne River. S/he serves as the principal contact to government agencies, other conservation organizations, foundations and the academic community for conservation and park-related projects. Specifically, the Project Manager’s activities encompass a broad array of tasks, including strategic planning; partnership building; land management and science; real estate acquisition; fundraising for the parkway including securing government grants; management of government and other contracts; cultivating support and involvement among key local stakeholders, landowners, corporations, private individuals, donors, and community and institutional leaders; representing the Trust in a wide variety of forums; fostering compatible land use practices throughout the project area. S/He will work closely with the Deputy Executive Director, Central Valley Program Director, and Education and Outreach Director.

Duties and Responsibilities
1. Strengthen the Trust as the major conservation organization within Stanislaus County.
2. Lead the Trust and the Tuolumne River Coalition, a loose collaborative of local governmental and non-governmental organizations, in implementing the vision for the Lower Tuolumne River Parkway.
3. Capitalize on existing resources to leverage additional government and private funds for parkway projects, including grant preparation.
4. Foster key partnerships with public and private organizations to develop innovative solutions and tangible results for parkway projects.
5. Cultivate local community support for local conservation efforts.
6. Refine conservation and park priorities along the lower Tuolumne River.
7. Assist in negotiating complex and innovative solutions with government agencies and landowners to conserve and protect key pieces of land.
8. Strengthen government relationships to build political support for the parkway and individual parkway projects.
9. Act as a spokesperson for the parkway to the media to effectively generate positive stories about the parkway.
10. Additionally, the Project Manager may work on land transactions by assisting and/or leading negotiating, documenting, and closing real estate transactions with the assistance of legal and finance consultants and partners by:
o Researching and carrying out all phases of land pre-acquisition projects from initial outreach and landowner negotiation through supervision of appraisers, surveyors, and other consultants.
o Identifying funding opportunities for land acquisition projects.
o Identifying and negotiating with public agencies or other permanent stewards for final project acquisition.
11. Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Qualifications
1. Advanced degree in engineering, biology, hydrology, landscape architecture, or other related field.
2. 2-4 years experience in the environmental field, preferably including background in working with land trusts, California’s Central Valley environmental issues, government relations, and land conservation.
3. Prior experience and ability in building relationships and working with people from different backgrounds and perspectives.
4. Experience in working with diverse coalitions of stakeholders to advance community visions.
5. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
6. Prior successful experience in grant writing, contract management, and budget management.
Additional Details
Salary is very competitive and depends on experience. Excellent benefits. The Trust is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse staff. The full-time position is based in Modesto and will require work in Stanislaus County, plus occasional travel to Sacramento, San Francisco, Sonora and other places in California. This job offers excellent potential for professional growth.
The position will be open until filled. The first round of interviews will occur in late-June or early-July. Please send an email (with cover letter, resume, three references, and 2-page writing sample as attachments) with subject heading “River Parkway Project Manager” to Karyn Carr at karyn@tuolumne.org. No phone calls please.

SIERRA NEVADA PROGRAM DIRECTOR
The Tuolumne River Trust has an immediate opening for a Sierra Nevada Program Director. With a clear vision, a successful track record, and the resources to add several new staff, the Trust is ideally poised to leverage greater support for our work to protect and restore this California jewel. This is a great opportunity to join a dynamic team working to take a successful organization to the next level during an exciting period of growth from an existing staff of 7 to a staff of at least 12.

The successful candidate will oversee all aspects of the Trust’s Sierra Nevada Program. The full-time position will require work in Tuolumne County plus occasional travel to Modesto, Sacramento, San Francisco, and other places in the State. The goal of the Sierra Nevada Program is to permanently protect the Tuolumne’s most pristine tributary, the Clavey River, by completing and implementing a Clavey River Watershed Plan, and winning permanent protection as a Wild and Scenic River. The Sierra Nevada Program Director coordinates these and all other aspects of the Trust’s Sierra Nevada Program in advancing our goals. The Program Director will be responsible for building local public support and constituencies for protection of the Clavey, engaging local, state, and federal elected officials in Clavey River issues, managing a collaborative effort to develop the Clavey River Watershed Plan, and participating in Yosemite National Park’s Wild and Scenic River Management Plan for the upper Tuolumne River. S/He will work closely with the Deputy Executive Director and Sierra Nevada Program Associate.

Duties and Responsibilities
1. Strengthen the Trust as a major conservation and environmental organization within Tuolumne County
2. Overall responsibility for implementing the Trust’s Sierra Nevada Programs, including advocacy, watershed planning, outreach and education.
3. Manage the development of a Clavey River Watershed Plan, including supervising subcontractors working on the project, spearheading a collaborative process, and managing the contract for the grant.
4. Direct the campaign for permanent protection of the Clavey River in Tuolumne County, the Central Valley, and possibly Washington D.C., by working with non-traditional allies including businesses, grazing and timber interests, and irrigation districts,
5. Participate in Yosemite National Park’s Wild and Scenic Tuolumne River Management Plan process, including advocating for the interests of the river and grassroots organizing.
6. Engage the media to effectively communicate and advance program objectives and goals to a broad array of audiences.
7. Represent the Trust to members of the public, government (local, State, and Federal) and decision makers.
8. Supervise the Sierra Nevada Program Associate who is responsible for grassroots Clavey organizing and coordinating regular educational events (i.e. outings and talks) to enhance the Trust’s presence in Tuolumne County and to market the Tuolumne Trust and its activities.
9. Engage in National Forest management planning and public review processes for projects proposed within the Tuolumne Watershed, including advocating for the interests of the watershed.
10. Collaborate with academic scientists, policy experts, and others to solve complex problems.
11. Work with the Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, and Development Director to identify potential funding sources and secure grants and help expand the program.
12. Other tasks as assigned.
Qualifications Include
1. Degree in environmental studies, geography, biology, planning, landscape architecture, political science, or related fields.
2. 2-4 years experience in the environmental field, preferably including background in working with the Forest Service, grassroots organizing, managing grants, and/or coordinating a coalition of multiple stakeholders to advance a conservation planning effort.
3. Prior experience and ability in building relationships and working with people from different backgrounds and perspectives.
4. Excellent written and oral communication skills, as well as basic computer skills.
5. Other skills considered a plus: knowledge of Tuolumne County, detail-oriented, leadership abilities, initiative (a self-starter), grant proposal writing, environmental education, and media outreach.
Further Information
Salary is very competitive and depends on experience. Excellent benefits. The Trust is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse staff. The full-time position is based in Sonora and will require work in Tuolumne County, plus occasional travel to Modesto, Sacramento, San Francisco, and other places in California. This job offers excellent potential for professional growth.
The position will be open until filled. The first round of interviews will occur in mid-June. Please send an email (with cover letter, resume, three references, and 2-page writing sample as attachments) with subject heading “Sierra Nevada Program Director” to Karyn Carr at karyn@tuolumne.org. No phone calls please.