Program Manager (Central Coast Wetlands Group at MLML)

San Jose State University Research Foundation
$93,600-$114,400 annually - Exempt, Benefited
retirement plan
United States, California, Moss Landing
Nov 18, 2024
OUR STATEMENT The San Jose State University Research Foundation (SJSURF) is committed to building a work environment where everyone can show up as their own self and have an opportunity to contribute, develop, and advance in their career. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are core values of the organization. We strive to attract, retain, and develop employees who reflect the community and society where we work and live. The Research Foundation aims to develop a culture where everyone feels welcome, shares their views, and where differences in backgrounds and perspectives are seen as adding value. GENERAL NATURE OF POSITION The Central Coast Wetlands Group (CCWG) is an affiliate research group at Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (MLML) located in the Monterey Bay Region of Central California. Our focus is the study, preservation and restoration of Central Coast wetlands. CCWG works closely with local, state, and federal agencies to implement science-based strategies that improve ecosystem resilience and address the growing impacts of climate change. The group is actively involved in innovative multi-benefit projects that integrate habitat restoration, flood protection, and community benefits with climate change adaptation to enhance the resilience of coastal ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. Central Coast Wetlands Group (CCWG) is looking for someone with broad skills and experiences to help lead a thriving 20-year organization that has deep roots and ties to the Monterey Bay Region and throughout California. This position provides an exciting opportunity to join a strong team to help implement $14 million dollars of existing grants over the next 3 years and work with leadership to obtain additional funding for the future. We are looking for the right person with a strong background in the field and, importantly, someone who is dedicated, creative, hardworking, and enjoys wearing many hats. If you are excited by the opportunities and challenges offered in this position, we encourage you to apply! ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Program Management: Support the program director in program operations. Strategic Planning: Assist in developing long-term strategic goals and plans for program growth and success. Grant Writing: Writing and securing grants and contracts. Budgeting and Financial Management: Assist director in budgeting, forecasting, and managing program finances. Multi-Benefit Water Resource Project planning and implementation: The program manager will develop and implement multi-benefit water resource projects in an agriculturally dominated landscape in the Monterey Bay Region. Planning, Design and Permitting: Collaborate with ecologists, engineers, and other technical experts to develop innovative projects for flood risk reduction, groundwater recharge, water conservation, and water quality improvement. Stakeholder Engagement: Foster strong partnerships with key stakeholders including agricultural landowners, growers, local organizations and agencies, and disadvantaged communities to ensure their needs and perspectives are integrated into project planning. Facilitate Land Acquisition: Work with land acquisition partners to manage the process of acquiring land from willing landowners, including appraisal oversight, negotiating easements and fee title acquisitions, and identifying receivers. Project Implementation: Coordinate with agency partners to transition from planning to the implementation phase, including securing funding for construction and coordinating on the ground actions. INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS Reports to CCWG program director. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES Program manager has supervisory responsibilities over research associates, student research assistants and interns. QUALIFICATIONS Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree required in environmental science, environmental planning, ecology, natural resource management, or a related field. Master's or PhD degree is highly preferred or an equivalent amount of work experience. Minimum of 5 years of experience in project management, preferably in land conservation, environmental restoration, watershed restoration, or water resource management. Experience in budget management and project reporting. Outgoing personality with the ability to work effectively within a close-knit team. Adaptable, flexible, and capable of managing multiple tasks simultaneously. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Analytical and problem-solving skills with the capacity to evaluate CCWG program needs, track program performance, and identify long-term solution for program growth and success. Preferred Qualifications Knowledge of the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program, Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, and relevant local plans and policies. Experience in water quality treatment wetland design, wetland restoration, and/or water quality treatment projects. Demonstrated ability to collaborate with a diverse set of partner organizations, including government agencies, non-profits, and agricultural communities. Successful track record of obtaining extramural funding. Physical Demands Ability to work outside in inclement weather conditions when necessary. Ability to walk a mile while carrying up to 20 pounds of equipment and traverse over rough terrain to remote field sites. Ability to travel overnight at least one night per month. A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the SJSURF. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or the continued employment of current SJSURF employees who apply for the position. NOTE: This position description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities. The order in which duties and responsibilities are listed is not significant. BENEFITS The SJSURF provides an excellent benefits package to benefited employees. The comprehensive benefits package includes: Four company health insurance plans to choose from (employee contributions differ according to plan and level of coverage). Employer-paid dental and vision for both employee and eligible dependents. Life, AD&D, LTD with supplemental coverage opportunities. 14 paid federal & state holidays. Retirement Plan: 403 (b) employee contribution plan component and a 403 (b) employer contribution component, which vests immediately. Vacation-hour accruals and separate sick-hour accumulations. Employee discounts. Paid training and professional-development conferences. Please visit the Benefits & Compensation page on the SJSURF website for more detailed information. APPLICATION PROCEDURE To apply for this position, an applicant must submit a formal application for employment. Select "Apply Now" to complete the SJSURF online employment application. REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION The SJSURF is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with physical or mental disabilities in the employment, recruitment, examination, interviewing, and hiring processes. If you are a job seeker with a physical or mental disability, and you require a reasonable accommodation to search, apply, or interview for a job opening or otherwise need a reasonable accommodation during the application and hiring process, please contact us at foundation-jobs@sjsu.edu. In the email message, please indicate your full name, phone number and the type of assistance required. You must not reveal the underlying medical reason for your needed reasonable accommodation or otherwise disclose confidential medical information. ABOUT THE SJSU RESEARCH FOUNDATION SJSURF employment is separate and distinct from San Jose State University (SJSU) or state of California employment. SJSURF employees are not employees of SJSU or of the state of California. SJSURF is a non-profit auxiliary of SJSU. SJSURF is totally self-supported. The majority of the organization's funding comes from the federal government, and other public and private entities. With annual revenues totaling over $65 million, programs managed through SJSURF cover a rich diversity of applied research, public services, and educational-related activities.