Restoration Program Manager, Private Lands Division

American Conservation Experience (ACE) is a dynamic non-profit organization dedicated to providing rewarding environmental service opportunities that harness the idealism and energy of a volunteer labor force to help restore America's public lands or private lands for public benefit. ACE has a national reputation for providing exceptional training and support to enable young adult crews to safely and economically implement technically complex and physically demanding conservation projects for the US Forest Service, BLM, National Park Service, USFWS, NRCS and numerous state and local land management partners.

Job Title: Restoration Project Manager

Location: Remote Option available as well as ACE Crew office/bases.

Department/Division: ACE Private Lands + NRCS Division

Status: Regular Full-Time, Salaried (Exempt)

Reports To: Associate Director of Restoration

Schedule/Hours: Full-time, 40 hours/week (Monday - Friday, flexible) with some adjustment expected to accommodate specific projects and program needs, such as occasional evenings and weekends.

Travel: Occasional; nationally to project sites (up to 25%)

Position Summary:

The Restoration Project Manager is responsible for managing key deliverables and outcomes of various contracts and agreements within ACE's Private Lands Division. Specifically, responsibilities will include meeting objectives and deliverables related to National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) restoration and repair projects: project management and client coordination, task order processing and compliance, contractor procurement and oversight, project budget and costs management, any associated staffing or subcontractor coordination, and related reporting and invoicing. The Restoration Project Manager will communicate and coordinate in a timely way with ACE Private Lands Division staff, external partners, subcontractors, site contractors, and NRCS staff; and contribute to the creation and adaptation of ACE systems and tools developed to support NRCS. The Restoration Project Manager may also support the Associate Director of Restoration in the acquisition of new cooperative agreements and grant opportunities.

Program Background:

Currently, the Private Lands Division at ACE supports the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) easement programs nationwide, as established in the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Wetland Reserve Easements (ACEP-WRE). ACE provides NRCS with nationwide conservation easement compliance monitoring; consults on ecological assessment monitoring; provides restoration and repair design, implementation and project management services; and places long-term staff in NRCS state field offices to support those state's specific easement program needs.

Within the restoration and repair program area, ACE serves as a project coordinator and procurement expert for NRCS restoration and repair projects that require external support. No two projects are the same, and the processes developed by ACE to facilitate project completion are evolving as the program grows. The Restoration Program within the Private Lands Division is growing quickly with active projects in 12 states. This position is intended to expand the Division's capacity to complete restoration as requested by the NRCS. In addition to providing project management services, the Restoration Project Manager will have the opportunity to contribute to the development of ACE's systems and tools for supporting NRCS with the program's growth.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide exemplary restoration and repair project management services to ACE's NRCS partners including:
  • Manage NRCS Task orders, including scoping, budgets, submission, processing, assignment, tracking and close out.
  • Solicit and procure qualified and licensed construction contractors. Construction bidding services may include developing bid packages for restoration work, competitively announcing available work, scheduling site viewings, assessing bids, and awarding subcontracts following NRCS approval.
  • Coordinate engineering design, when necessary (provided by ACE's subcontractor) and ensure deliverables are completed on time.
  • Facilitate meetings to support existing projects as well as potential projects.
  • Attend site visits, as necessary, including cross-country travel.
  • Communicate and coordinate closely with all project stakeholders.
  • Document project discussions and decisions; effectively communicate the status of the repair or enhancement work throughout the project.
  • Ensure that resources are used cost-effectively while maintaining the highest quality of work.
  • Provide high quality customer service to NRCS project partners through clear, concise, courteous communication.
• Serve as the ACE point of contact for NRCS restoration and repair projects, and facilitate the client experience.
• Support potential or new project development.
• Manage and develop systems and solutions that are adaptable to the specific needs of each task order, but replicable so that the processes can be scaled.
• Contribute to progress and fiscal reporting and general agreement management.
• Through contracting and agreement compliance, ensure that ACE and its subcontractors follow agreement provisions, applicable Federal, State, and Local laws and regulations, and NRCS conservation practice standards and specifications.
• Provide support for other Private Lands Division programs and goals as needed.
• Adheres to ACE safety policies and procedures. Reports any unsafe or harmful conditions, incidents and/or accidents immediately.
• Communicate project status updates regularly with the Associate Director of Restoration.
• Fosters a culture and environment that positions ACE for success and ensures that ACE is the program of choice for partners, members and staff.
• Perform other duties and related functions as needed or assigned by the NRCS Director.
• Responsibilities and tasks outlined are not exhaustive and may change as determined by ACE.

Required Experience and Qualifications:

• Minimum 3-5 years professional experience managing land restoration, construction or mitigation projects, including but not limited to contracting and procurement.
• Knowledge of wetland ecology and typical wetland restoration practices.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and landscape/restoration plans.
• Ability to track progress and follow-up with multiple projects occurring simultaneously; and to keep projects on scope and on schedule.
• Ability to adapt to variable workloads; strong time management skills.
• Proven record of communicating directly with resource professionals, landowners, consultants, contractors and federal agency staff.
• Strong research, analytical, organization and writing skills.
• Flexible and adaptable; capable of working well as part of a highly mobile, highly functional team with members located throughout the nation.
• Desire and ability to work independently yet be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• Ability to use and operate standard office equipment. Strong computer management skills including experience utilizing digital tools and software (e.g. online personnel databases, email, iOS, Google Drive, MS Office, Adobe Acrobat, Zoom, etc.).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work remotely and independently with no supervision.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Ability to prepare and maintain records and reports.
• Ability to understand and follow ACE systems and processes.
• Possess a high school diploma or GED certificate. BA/BS degree from an accredited college/university preferred.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Preferred experience:

• Background in natural resource management, wetland ecology, ecological restoration, environmental engineering, environmental planning or related field.
• 5+ years professional experience managing land restoration, mitigation or construction projects.
• Knowledge of conservation easements & land use regulations.
• Knowledge of NRCS practice/implementation list(s).
• Experience with various field data collection methods.
• ESRI ArcGIS experience and skills.
• Experience supervising field staff and/or delegating deliberate tasks.

Other Requirements:

• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
• Valid driver's license and an insurable driving record.
• Proficient in English.
• Ability to pass a federal criminal background check.
• Willing to abide by ACE Policy and Federal Drug Free workplace policies and laws. ACE reserves the right to drug test at any time.
• All ACE members and staff must verify that they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by the time they start their term/position or request a medical or religious exemption.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talks and hears. Manual dexterity required for use of computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to perform a wide variety of manual labor, for extended periods of time.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 20 lbs., occasionally moves up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position requires domestic travel throughout the country for 3-4 nights at a time. Total travel time is estimated to compose 25% of the annual workload.

Compensation: Starting annualized salary of $65,000.00 (assuming 40 hours/week for 52-weeks), depending on experience.

Medical/Health Benefits: ACE offers competitive medical and ancillary plans (health, mental health, dental, vision and other supplemental benefits). ACE Staff members are also eligible to participate in ACE's 403b retirement plan with a 1% employer contribution.

Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time: As a full time regular staff member, you will be eligible to accrue up to 80 hours of paid vacation time annually during your first two years of continuous employment, then it increases to 120 hours annually. ACE observes 13 paid annual holidays (floating holiday flexibility). ACE provides 10 days (or 80 hours) of paid sick time annually.

Additional Benefits:

Outdoor Perks - As an ACE staff member, you will be eligible to receive pro deals which include deep discounts on outdoor gear providing 30 - 50% off retail prices on 100s of established outdoor gear brands.

Phone Reimbursement Option: You have the option for monthly phone reimbursement for personal device/number use for this position.

Remote Flexibility: True working flexibility from wherever you are within the continental United States of America. This position can work from home, one of our regional offices, or a combination of both.

To Apply: Please submit a resume, one-page cover letter and contact for three professional/academic references to the application link. Qualified applicants will be contacted by email to arrange an interview. Applicants must follow all application instructions in order to be considered for this opportunity. This position may close at any time.

American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Learn more about ACE on our WEBSITE or check out our INSTAGRAM!

Current Openings for Restoration Program Manager, Private Lands Division Jobs at American Conservation Experience - Staff