FIELD PROJECT MANAGER

The JMT Wilderness Conservancy is seeking a Field Project Manager to join our non-profit organization.  This position will manage and support the Conservancy’s restoration field projects, and the assigned Monitoring Teams, across the western side of the JMT region, or as assigned regionally. 

The JMT WC is dedicated to the conservation of the wilderness, wildlife, and watersheds along the high Sierra Nevada crest defined by the John Muir Trail (est. 1915).  Our mission is to restore and conserve the meadow ecosystems and riparian habitat of the JMT corridor in light of steeply increasing recreational use compounded by the effects of climate change.  The region is roughly 20 miles wide and 220 miles north-to-south, running from Yosemite Valley to Mt. Whitney, and includes over 390 miles of trails and 2.8 million acres of surrounding wilderness. 

In implementing our restoration projects, we work with the National Park Service in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks and Devils Postpile National Monument; and the US Forest Service in both the Inyo and Sierra National Forests. We bring together the various stakeholders and resource managers to design, monitor and support implementation of on-the-ground projects to repair damaged terrain, reclaim and expand lost meadows and protect this sensitive wilderness and the many species that inhabit these lands.

POSITION:  FIELD PROJECT MANAGER:

Commitment: Full time, regular exempt employee.  May work remotely part of the time; must work at our field office in Truckee CA minimum of three days per week (Tuesdays - Thursdays), as traffic and weather allow.  

Compensation: $100,000 to $110,000.00 annual compensation, based on education, qualifications and experience. Three references required. 100% employer-paid benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision; state retirement plan; vacation and sick leave.

Reporting: Direct report to Director of Project Operations.  Will work with another Field Project Manager in coordinating all field work, in particular with respect to field data collection, field monitoring team and internship deployments and field restoration work and reporting. This individual will also provide biological and/or ecological science knowledge and resources to our overall field work. Will need to meet several times annually with federal park and forest leadership in Bishop, Mammoth Lakes and Three Rivers outside Fresno and be present during the 14-day training and orientation period in Truckee.  During the 10-week Sierra work window July - Sept, will work longer hours, at times 7-days a week. Will also need to visit work sites and coordinate with field personnel in the JMT backcountry, sometimes on multi-night extended backpacking excursions.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Design and Execution of Wilderness Restoration Projects:

• Work closely with our team to understand the geography and science, in particular biological and ecological sciences, and practical aspects of our field work in order to communicate effectively with federal and state agencies, sub-contractors, and field crews;
•   Work with our team to collaborate with the lead federal agencies and sub-contracted specialists in designing wide-scale multi-discipline field restoration projects on the Eastern Sierra Nevada, from Yosemite in the north to Horseshoe Meadows in the south;  
• (iii) Work with the project team members and finance team to develop seasonal work plans, budgets, timelines and deliverables in assigned sites;
• (iv) Design and incorporate Monitoring Team tours and coordination with sub-contracted field work crews for each season;
• Oversee and manage seasonal work schedules and Monitoring Team field work and tours;

Recruit, Organize, Train and Manage the Monitoring Program and Seasonal Internships:

(i)  Work with our project team to recruit, train, organize and manage the seasonal Monitoring Program and Interpretive Patrols, including:

• Qualified undergraduate students from local universities and colleges to work at our project sites for 8-week summer deployments;
• Qualified team leads and project coordinators to manage the Monitoring Teams and projects in the field;
• Qualified field personnel to work alongside US Forest Service and National Park Service wilderness rangers as “interpretive patrols” for public outreach and education.

(ii)  Prepare and conduct on-line training, intern and team lead handbooks, and field orientation for all Monitoring Teams prior to their deployments;

(iii)  Each season, manage two four-member Monitoring Teams, one project coordinator and a pair of Interpretive Patrol members to implement field projects, collect the necessary field data and assist with re-directing public use.

(iv) At season end, manage off-boarding of seasonal employees, the cleaning, inventory and packing of field equipment and gear, and assist with season-end reporting on progress for each assigned site;

Other Responsibilities:

• Support organization and implementation of donor educational and fundraising events, as needed;
• Contribute to the design and content of marketing collateral, including newsletters, our DISPATCHES series, web site content, social media communications, etc.;

QUALIFICATIONS:

We seek a proven team-player who is flexible and able to work in a small environmental nonprofit operation where each member must, at times, pitch in to advance the common purpose. A commitment to continuing professional development is highly valued.

• BA/ BS degree from a recognized college or university with emphasis in natural resource management or environmental sciences, with a master's degree preferred;
• Enhanced educational background or field experience involving biological and/or environmental sciences, including those in the Management Indicator Species lists (MIS) found in the Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment (Sierra Framework, 2001, rev’d 2004);
• Strong interpersonal and management skills in team efforts, preferably in environmental restoration or trail re-construction;
• Training in NOLS backcountry wilderness skills and leadership, including the handling of emergencies and wilderness first aid;
• Experience with Excel and Word for office operations; and ArcGIS and Fulcrum apps for data collection and mapping in field operations;
• 4+ years experience in backcountry research and field projects;
• Attention to detail, strong problem-solving skills, and an ability to manage a variety of projects simultaneously with short deadlines; 

OTHER QUALIFYING CRITERIA:

• Physically and emotionally fit and strong, sufficient to handle long backcountry hikes carrying a 35-45 lb backpack, sleeping on the ground, managing high intensity weather events and possible emergency situations.
• Experience with environmental or wilderness conservation and remote overnight backpacking.
• Appreciation of the biodiversity in plants and animals, and environmental importance of, the central Sierra Nevada;
• 2+ years in environmental nonprofit organizations, helpful;