Position: Coastal Restoration Planner – Louisiana
Organization: The Capital Soil and Water Conservation District

The Capital Soil and Water Conservation District has an opening for a Coastal Restoration Planner. The primary purpose of this position is to provide planning support for improving the health of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystems. The incumbent will have the primary responsibility for working in coordination with Natural Resources Conservation Service(NRCS), Forest Service(FS), Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Team(GCERT) and conservation partners across state boundaries to provide expertise and support related to natural resource and restoration in the Gulf of Mexico region. The anticipated start date is March 22, 2021.

Duties

  • Serve as a conservation technical specialist to ensure effective participation in Gulf restoration.
  • Serve as a liaison between NRCS, FS, and GCERT.
  • Work closely with private and nongovernmental entities and Federal, State, and local agencies to ensure multi-state consistency in Gulf restoration planning efforts.
  • Develop and recommend restoration planning concepts, identifying any potential regulatory requirements (e.g., NEPA) applicable to the Gulf restoration efforts.
  • Represent USDA in Gulf restoration workgroups to ensure that USDA positions are represented. Attend meetings at the local, State and regional levels, including travel on behalf of GCERT.
  • Plan, direct, participate in, and conduct watershed assessments for potential water quality improvement projects and associated restoration activities. Prepare comprehensive reports on planning and outreach activities. Present findings and recommendations to GCERT.
  • The incumbents work with staff and outside organizations to identify conservation problems and needs and advise GCERT on how to handle problems related to program implementation in the Gulf.
  • Incumbents maintain an awareness of and positive attitude in carrying out Gulf restoration program objectives.

Qualifications

Required:

  • Bachelor’s degree biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position, or a related field and three years specialized experience.
  • Knowledge of biological sciences and conservation techniques pertaining to ecological and physical processes associated with natural resources and ecosystem restoration.
  • Knowledge of physical process impacting water quality in coastal environments.
  • Experience that demonstrates knowledge of water quality and wildlife habitat restoration techniques and the ability to apply ecological principles to habitat restoration.
  • Demonstrated project management skills inclusive of budget and schedule development and oversight.
  • Knowledge of the habitats and resources of the Gulf of Mexico.
  • Strong organizational skills, and ability to handle multiple, concurrent, and competing projects and responsibilities.
  • Demonstrated ability to perform oversight and assessment of planning resources.
  • Knowledge of Federal, State, and local regulations related to natural resources and habitat restoration projects in the Gulf of Mexico.
  • Strong communication skills, both oral and written, including technical writing skills.
  • Ability to work independently, reliable, self-starter, self-motivated, and strong attention to detail.
  • Willingness to occasionally travel within the Gulf States.

Desired

  • Experience conservation and restoration planning and implementation within one or more of the Gulf States.
  • Public speaking experience.

Compensation

$55,300 plus benefits for a 12-month salaried position.

To apply, go to Indeed.com and submit the following (1) your resume, (2) transcript (3) a cover letter describing why this position is a good fit for you and your career goals, and (4) contact information for three professional or academic references by February 26, 2021.
Qualified applicants will be contacted to arrange an interview.