Community Conservation Department Manager

Full Job Description

Terms: Full-time position(40hrs/week), with benefits

Starting Salary Range: $80,000 - $87,000 annually

Priority deadline: Initial review of applications will begin Monday, April 13, 2026. Applications accepted until the position is filled.

Position Summary

The Community Conservation Department Manager is a management position within the Habitat, Floodplains, and Forests Division and provides departmental and administrative oversight, grant and project management, and staff supervision for the Snohomish Conservation District’s Field Crew, and other positions as assigned.

The CC Department works with landowners, residents, and partners to improve water quality, manage stormwater runoff, restore habitat, improve forest health, build resilience to climate change for working lands and communities in the floodplain, and build community around responsible use of natural resources in our urban and rural areas.

This position oversees project implementation in priority areas, including habitat restoration, stormwater infrastructure, urban forestry, community wildfire resiliency, and backyard wildlife habitat.

The CC Department Manager also provides technical assistance and technical oversight to staff, ensures high-quality customer service and outreach is maintained, and supports partnership-building efforts for each of the programmatic elements.

This position reports to the Natural Resources Director – Habitat, Floodplains, and Forests, and works in partnership with the Management Team.

Requirements

Essential Tasks

These are illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Personnel Management

  • Supervise the Crew Lead, Assistant Crew Lead, field crew members, and other positions as assigned. Develop annual work and training plans, provide coaching and mentoring, work closely with staff to implement work plans, and conduct annual performance evaluations.

  • Complete monthly, quarterly, and annual administrative supervisory duties including trainings, and expense, timesheet, sick leave, and vacation request review and approval.

  • Lead hiring for new field crew positions, and take lead on disciplinary action as needed, in coordination with supervisor and Human Resources.

• Field Operations and Project Implementation
  • Oversee all aspects of field operations and collaborate with the Habitat Restoration Project Managers, Foresters, Agroforesters, and Urban Planners to implement natural resource projects, including developing project implementation and maintenance schedules, seasonal labor needs and schedules, labor procurements, and work plans and project budgets; support labor, supply, and material procurement for the entire season; review project plans to support Project Managers in adaptively managing project sites.

• • Conduct landowner outreach, develop and manage restoration plans and budgets, oversee project implementation and maintenance, obtaining permits, completing procurement of labor and project materials and supplies, managing and tracking project deliverables and budgets including grant match documentation and project reporting, construction oversight and inspection, and develop maintenance and monitoring plans.

  Provide site visits and technical assistance to private landowners on topics such as weed management, plant recommendations, salmon habitat, local codes and regulations, water quality, and other best management practices.

  Train field crew in providing technical assistance.

  Promote strong integration across the District’s Habitat Restoration, Floodplains, and Forests Department, the Agricultural Department, and the Outreach Department when providing technical assistance to landowners.

  • Continually develop and maintain technical expertise in western Washington restoration practices with the ability to represent the District amongst conservation partners.

Collaborate with Habitat Restoration Coordinator, Project Managers, and Planners

Lead regular habitat restoration operations check-ins and facilitate communication between staff.

Create and implement processes, tools, and guidance to communicate between crews, Project Managers, and Habitat Restoration Coordinator.

Lead seasonal debriefs and look-ahead meetings and working sessions to facilitate strong communication and planning.

• • Develop seasonal field crew schedules, assess work capacity, lead or schedule seasonal and topic-specific training, ensure all safety and training needs are completed to support safe and effective project implementation.

  • Schedule, coordinate, and implement natural resource conservation projects, vegetation monitoring, and planting maintenance. Perform site visits with Project Managers and others to identify field needs and collaboratively plan task approaches and timing.

  • Complete project tracking and reporting in SCD’s cooperator database and other reporting tools and mechanisms.

• Management and Leadership Team:
  • Participate in District management and leadership team meetings.

• • Represent District and work with diverse partners, committees, forums and work groups to advance natural resource priorities.

  • Develop and manage Community Conservation department budgets.

  • With oversight from the Habitat Restoration, Floodplains, and Forests Department Director, guide restoration strategy including developing annual and 5-year program plans, recruiting projects, and developing and managing project management and planning processes.

  • Collaborate with the Department Director in strategizing about programmatic direction and acquiring funding through grant writing. Assist with writing grant applications and reports.

• Native Plant Nursery
  • Lead the SCD native plant nursery; collaborate with the Executive Director, Department Director, and departments across the District in implementing the plant nursery program and operations; manage nursery budgets and support the Department Director and Executive Director in securing funding.

• Outreach and Communications

  • Contribute to writing fact sheets and articles and other print or web publications.

  • Deliver educational workshops for landowners.

Qualifications

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities

• A bachelor’s degree in a natural resource/environmental field with coursework related to habitat restoration, aquatic ecosystems, forest ecology, hydrology, or natural resources.

• A minimum of four years of professional level experience in a closely related position with demonstrated competency in some or all of the skill areas needed for the responsibilities of this position. Alternative combinations of education and experience will be considered.

• Proven leadership abilities and experience supervising field crews. Demonstrated experience directing restoration crews and managing field operations (scheduling, procurement, implementation, monitoring/tracking, reporting).

• Demonstrated knowledge of natural resource priorities such as stream, wetland and riparian ecology, native plants, water quality, salmon habitat, and soils.

• Demonstrated experience implementing restoration projects in the Pacific Northwest to include knowledge of non-native plant removal techniques and establishment of native species.

• Ability to communicate effectively with private landowners, project partners, and co-workers.

• Proficiency communicating technical information to a variety of audiences including private landowners on one-on-one site visits, at workshops, and at volunteer events.

• Capacity to engage diverse communities (youth, minorities, farmers, veterans, seniors, etc.).

• Proficiency writing grant proposals, reports, outreach materials, technical assistance letters to landowners, and/or grant applications.

• Ability to navigate and fully utilize on-line administrative software, including project management, budgeting, preparing maps using ArcGIS, maintaining accurate records regarding time-keeping and authorized expenses, and recording field data.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively perform multiple responsibilities simultaneously and/or frequently move from one activity to another without losing focus; and ability to work independently and manage workload, schedule, and resources to meet deadlines and achieve goals.

• Ability to work in all types of terrain on foot and operate hand and power tools.

Preferred Skills, Knowledge, and Qualifications:

• Knowledge of local and regional conservation issues and associated ordinances and regulations, including critical area regulations and stormwater management plans and permits

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal Conservation District partners.

• Washington State Pesticide License with Aquatic Endorsement (can acquire upon hire).

• Master’s degree in natural resources, urban planning, or related field

• Experience in urban forestry and working with underserved communities

• Experience with Smartsheet

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

This position includes both office and field work and travel to job sites. Field work comprises approximately 20% of the position. Most of the field work is conducted in a natural environment which can have rough and dangerous terrain. This position requires the ability to:

• Work outdoors in all weather conditions and on rough or uneven terrain

• Drive a vehicle when travel is needed. Must hold a valid, unrestricted Washington State driver’s

• license (or have the ability to acquire upon hire).

• Safely operate a motor vehicle, including full-size pick-up and trailer, on both public and private roads during daylight and occasionally after dark.

• Operate hand and power tools.

• Operate a chipper for a wildfire risk reduction program using best safety protocol (or have the ability to gain this skillset while on the job)

• Sit or stand for long periods of time in a standard workday

• Lift, pull, carry, push up to 50lbs. Bend, twist, squat, climb, kneel/crawl, reach overhead, etc. Use finger dexterity and fine manipulation

• Hear and speak to exchange information in person, on the telephone, and via video conference

• Occasionally work beyond an 8:00 am – 5:00 pm schedule or on the weekend.

Additional Information

Work Location

Following a successful probationary period, there may be an option to work remotely part of the time. Some essential functions of this position require in-office or on-site work at specific times.

Application Instructions

To apply for this position, please submit the following materials via our website at https://snohomishcd.org/employment:

• Cover letter stating why you are interested in this position
• CV or resume detailing your related experience

If you have questions about applying or need accommodation during the application process, contact Sally Cunningham at scunningham@snohomishcd.org or (360) 631-6736.

Applications will be reviewed as received with a priority deadline of April 13^th, 2026. Position open until filled.

We strive to work in partnership with all, to provide equitable and accessible programming on a nondiscriminatory basis, and to continually improve how we do so.

All programs and services of the Snohomish Conservation District are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.