Bat Conservation International (BCI), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to ending bat extinctions worldwide, seeks a Project Manager to join BCI’s Restoration Program. The Project Manager must be highly collaborative and enjoy working within an environment that is mission and results-driven, where they can bring their whole self to work and contribute to the mission of BCI, the HP&R program, and lasting, positive ecological change.

BCI is a distributed organization with staff across the United States. The Project Manager will be focused on watershed restoration projects in southwest New Mexico and should live proximal to the Gila National Forest (Silver City, Las Cruces, Albuquerque, Socorro, Alamogordo, El Paso, TX, Duncan AZ, are example locations). This position is remote/work from home and will require frequent travel to field sites and partner meetings. Work may require overnight camping in a wilderness setting to design, build, inspect, or manage watershed restoration projects. Travel will be highly variable and may include up to two weeks per month during the April- October field season. Remote work requires reliable internet access.

Primary Responsibilities and Expectations

The Gila Agreement project manager reports to the Restoration Team Lead and works closely with other members of the Habitat Protection and Restoration program to cooperatively plan, develop, and implement priority projects, with a focus on the Gila National Forest. The Project Manager is responsible for coordinating and implementing a multi-year, post-fire restoration effort in watersheds affected by the 325,000-acre Black Fire on the Gila National Forest in 2022.

This position is grant funded until June 2028. Additional project funds may extend the position well beyond 2028 but applicants should not assume this is a permanent position.

This position is ideal for a biologist, hydrologist, engineer, landscape architect, natural resource manager, or conservationist with interest and experience planning and implementing watershed improvement projects on public lands.

Tasks:

• Coordinate and manage restoration efforts, providing oversight of on-the-ground project implementation (may include: leading and training staff, working with field crews, volunteers, contractors, the US Forest
• Service, assuring quality control, final inspection, etc.).
• Conduct ongoing communication with partners on the status of project planning, implementation, and project successes.
• Oversee projects through their full life cycle – project initiation, planning, managing schedules, tracking budgets, construction site management, quality assurance, and safety.
• Serve as the BCI’s on-the-ground point of contact for daily project management needs.
• Oversee contractors implementing projects in coordination with U.S. Forest Service staff to ensure successful project completion in a timely and financially responsible manner.
• Assist when needed with other BCI habitat restoration projects throughout the American West which may include field work, contracting, reporting or grant writing.
• Coordinate data collection and sharing for BCI and project partners.

Required Knowledge, Experience and Qualifications:

• Minimum of an undergraduate degree in natural resource management, wildlife biology, biology, forestry, botany, hydrology, engineering or related field.
• A minimum of five (5) years experience with proven results in project management related to construction, watershed restoration, wildlife habitat or related disciplines.
• A strong knowledge of and experience in Federal land management policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Demonstrated experience in watershed restoration techniques, stream and wetland restoration, wildlife habitat protection or improvement, Process Based Restoration, natural channel design, native plant revegetation, and/or rangeland developments.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects, including management and coordination of remote staff, field crews, contractors and external partners.
• Ability to work, communicate, and ask for support effectively with all levels of staff, government agencies, industry, landowners, and other partners.
• Ability to work and hike in remote environments with accompanying gear. Applicants should be comfortable hiking up to 10 miles in a post-fire landscape with personal gear and equipment that may weigh up to 30 pounds.
• Experience in leading, managing and supervising a team and administering a budget.
• Proficiency in spoken and written communication in English by email, Zoom communications, in-person meetings and in-person presentations to staff, stakeholders, and partners.

Required Abilities and Skills:

• Ability to work independently, performing fieldwork, attending meetings, and managing projects with minimal oversight.
• Ability to effectively lead and be lead.
• Ability to provide and receive constructive feedback and contribute to a work environment that prioritizes employee productivity, well-being and success.
• A strong attention to detail, and skill working in a timely and well-organized fashion.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and administrative skills.
• A valid U.S. Driver’s License.

Preferred Knowledge/Experience

• Proficiency with GIS and managing geospatial data, including shapefiles, geodatabases, and KML/KMZ
• Experience writing contracts and specifications.
• Knowledge of bat biology and ecology, and more broadly, conservation and wildlife management principles.
• An understanding of New Mexico natural resource issues and the cultural landscape.

Work Characteristics and Competencies:

• Strong interpersonal skills, approachability, and creative problem-solving
• Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and self-starter
• Comfortable in challenging situations and has high emotional awareness
• Highly collaborative with a growth mindset and enjoys challenges
• Willingness to be flexible and adaptive
• Highly curious and have a deep desire to learn new things
• Contributes to a healthy workplace and organization

If you have 70% or more of the desired qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Individuals interested in applying should upload their resume and cover letter to the application portal. In the cover letter, please explain how your work and lived experiences have prepared you to be successful in this position, what you find compelling about this job, and how you (and your career) will benefit from this position.

Applications are due by midnight June 2, 2024. Interviews will be held mid-June 2024 with a tentative start date of July 1, 2024.

Compensation and Benefits

$70,000- $75,000 annually, full-time salaried. Paid biweekly electronically or via check.

Compensation package includes generous paid vacation and sick time; 401(k) plan with employer match; health, dental, and vision insurance plan.
Organizational culture that supports staff well-being and professional development.