The Allegheny Highlands Freshwater Restoration Specialist will help expand our freshwater portfolio in the Appalachians across Virginia. Work will be focused on planning and implementing aquatic restoration projects, including dam removals, undersized culvert replacements, instream habitat improvements, streambank stability enhancements, and riparian restoration. TNC’s goals for freshwater work in this region are to increase the resilience and connectivity of mountain streams, conserve and increase the quality of aquatic habitat critical to the amazing aquatic biodiversity of the Appalachians, and to increase resilience of downstream human communities to climate change impacts including flooding. The projects will be carried out in close collaboration with federal, state, non-profit, and tribal partners.
The Allegheny Highlands Freshwater Restoration Specialist will report to the Allegheny Highlands Program Director with guidance from and direct connections to the Southern Appalachians Freshwater Director and staff from Virginia’s Science team. They will work closely with a robust team of freshwater practitioners working across the six- state Southern Appalachian region in coordination with TNC’s Southern Appalachian Whole System. They will be responsible for working with partners to evaluate and prioritize potential projects in selected VA watersheds and implementing restoration projects from conceptual design through completion. The work includes assisting with writing of watershed planning documents that enable TNC and partners to apply for federal funds and proposals for private matching funds. The Restoration Specialist should be able to review restoration designs, oversee construction work, ensure permitting requirements are met, and have a strong knowledge of aquatic restoration approaches, hydrology concepts, and aquatic ecology. The Restoration Specialist will coordinate with partners and the local community to increase support for aquatic restoration. They will assist staff in grant proposal writing and reporting.
• Bachelor’s degree and 3 years’ experience in natural resource management, including freshwater ecology or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with different aquatic restoration techniques.
• Experience with on-the-ground project implementation.
• Experience in project management skills including contracting for services, restoration/construction oversight, project and grant reporting.
• Experience working with a variety of partners, including collaboration, negotiation, and relationship building.
• Experience with field work, ideally in stream and wetland ecosystems.
• Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, web browsers, etc.
• Must be willing to travel to project sites.
• 3-5 years’ experience in natural resource management and freshwater ecology, similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience leading restoration projects (ideally aquatic barrier removal projects).
• Experience working with government agencies, particularly US Forest Service.
• Knowledge of Southern Appalachians freshwater ecology, hydrology, and aquatic biota.
• Demonstrated communication skills, both written and spoken in English, with internal and external collaborators.
• Experience contributing to watershed plans and project prioritization.
• Familiarity with federal and Virginia state laws and regulations as they pertain to instream and riparian restoration work.
• General knowledge of monitoring techniques for restoration efficacy.
• Experience with grant applications, grant writing, and reporting.
• Working knowledge of ArcGIS and basic map making skills.
• Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management and natural resource preservation.
• Experience managing staff or volunteers.
• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
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