The mission of the UFSWQD is toequitably reduce flood risk and prepare for and respond to flood emergencies by maintaining levees, conveying water when necessary, and finding innovative and nature-based ways to live with more water around us while supporting community safety and the region’s economic vitality, contributing to the health of the river and watershed, planning for a more climate-resilient future, and promoting equity in all we do.

The UFSWQD manages the flood safety system in northern Multnomah County. The system prevents 8,000 residents, 60,000 businesses, 2,000 acres of natural habitat, and critical services such as Portland International Airport and the region’s secondary supply of drinking water from being flooded by the Columbia River.

Description

This position is open from Tuesday, January 21 until filled. Applications must be received by 11:59 pm on Monday, February 17, 2025 to be considered for the first review.

UFSWQD is seeking a motivated and experienced Project Manager to lead projects focused on natural resource enhancement and environmental permitting. The successful candidate will have:

A background and experience in environmental science or ecology, natural resource management, project management, and/or environmental permitting.
A demonstrated track record of successfully delivering projects and managing collaborative work products.

Established connections in the Portland Metro region are preferred, as is an understanding of the history of inequity in the United States and how institutional racism, racial disparities, and colonization play out in infrastructure and natural resources.

UFSWQD’s environmental program and capital project work are growing. This position has the opportunity to be part of this exciting evolution. This position reports to the Planning Department Manager.

Examples of Duties

Specifically, this position will:

Act as a Project Manager: The Project Manager is responsible for managing dynamic, collaborative projects for the District with a focus on natural resources and environmental permitting.

Develop work plans, including staffing plans, budgets, and timelines for varied and moderately complex projects. Manage and report the financial performance of multiple projects. Oversee the work of consultants.
Execute project milestones and maintain communications with supervisor and stakeholders through all phases planning, design, construction, and start-up/close-out.
Lead in-person, virtual, and hybrid meetings with staff, partners, contractors, and stakeholders.
Develop, update, and manage contracts with private companies and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and intergovernmental agreements with federal, state, and local agencies consistent with state law and District policies.
Represent the District in frequent interaction or coordination with agencies, stakeholders, and community members. Build relationships and trust with UFSWQD’s many partners.
Prepare written and verbal communications to present project updates at board meetings.
Work with agency staff to comply with federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and internal policies and procedures.
Identify and mitigate project risks using standard project risk management techniques.

Provide leadership on natural resources: The Project Manager will inform UFSWQD plans and manage projects that intersect with water quality, landscape resilience, and vegetation management.

Plan and manage natural resource management and enhancement projects to achieve operational goals, environmental uplift, flood risk reduction, community priorities, equitable outcomes for marginalized communities, and to build strong partnerships.
Develop practical and scientifically sound guidance for contractors and UFSWQD Operations staff around natural resource management activities including revegetation, managing invasive plants (terrestrial and aquatic), best practices to apply during routine O&M and special projects.

Coordinate and perform environmental permitting:

Support permitting for capital projects, working alongside UFSWQD project managers and consultants to navigate environmental permitting programs at the local, state, and federal levels.
Prepare permit applications and work with agencies during the permitting process.
Build trust and relationships with regulatory agencies and regional partners.

Supervisory Duties:

This position manages discreet projects, organizes tasks for others, and reports on job progress to the supervisor. The position does not have the authority to hire or discipline staff.

Duties Applying to All Employees:

It is the duty of all employees to: Perform other duties as assigned;

Strive to achieve the Mission, Vision, and Values of the organization;
Perform the duties assigned during an emergency;
Complete required Incident Command System training within 90 days of hire;
Remain within a 10-hour response time during the District’s Partial Emergency Activation or as specified by the Executive Director;
Work well with community and be a strong ambassador for UFSWQD; Exemplify the workplace safety culture.
Create a culture that promotes respect, inclusion, and equity for the diversity of people in our workforce and community.

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge of:

Principles and practices of project management, including planning, budgeting, contracting, financial management, and tracking project milestones.
Natural resource management principles: Understanding of ecological systems, habitat restoration, watershed planning, and water quality improvement
Planning and executing natural resource enhancement projects (e.g., riparian revegetation, terrestrial and aquatic habitat enhancement).
Environmental permitting for work in and adjacent to waterways.

Ability to:

Independently manage time, organize workload, handle multiple tasks simultaneously, and prioritize work in a changing environment.
Show initiative in performing job functions and manage tasks and time effectively to meet multiple schedules and timelines.

Perform detailed work thoroughly, neatly, accurately, and efficiently. Demonstrate originality and ingenuity when required.

Communicate clearly, logically, and persuasively, both verbally and in writing. Prepare concise and comprehensive reports, correspondence, and other documents. Communicate complex information to a variety of audiences.
Learn and develop content expertise, to fulfill the job duties and support UFSWQD’s mission. Gather, assemble, analyze, and evaluate facts and make sound recommendations.
Create positive relationships and work environments: Create a work environment that fosters teamwork and collaboration. Maintain cooperative working relationships with partners, stakeholders, and members of the public. Facilitate inclusive participation.
Lead effective and inclusive meetings with District staff, stakeholders, and partner agencies.
Proficiency in standard business software including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe Pro.

Education, Experience, and Special Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent training or experience to gain expertise that supports the essential duties and responsibilities AND
5 years directly related experience; OR
Any combination of relevant training and experience may be accepted at the discretion of the hiring supervisor.

Preferred skills & qualifications:

Any combination of the following would be beneficial for this position.

Master’s degree in natural resource management, environmental sciences, planning, public administration, or a related field, or equivalent training or experience to gain expertise that supports the essential duties and responsibilities.
Knowledge and experience with nature-based solutions or green infrastructure approaches to flood risk reduction.
Experience planning and managing natural resource projects to achieve equitable outcomes for marginalized communities.
Experience planning and managing natural resource projects in the Portland Metro Region.
Experience planning and managing floodplain restoration and channel restoration projects.
Direct experience with Oregon Department of State Lands Removal Fill, US Army Corps of Engineers Nationwide Permitting, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality water quality certification, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality clean-up program, and/or City of Portland land use review (including e-zones) and development permitting.
Training and experience in FEMA’s Incident Command System

Supplemental Information

Working Environment: Most UFSWQD office staff work a primarily hybrid schedule, with occasional time in the office as determined by the Division Manager. UFSWQD reserves the right to change the remote work policy. Hours may vary but should fall between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm. However, there are projects that may require time in the field. Employees are required to utilize the appropriate PPE for their time in the field. During flood fighting season, October 15th – May 15th, employees may be asked to perform levee and drainage inspections or serve in some capacity within the District’s Incident Management Team during emergencies.

Accommodation: Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this process. Assistance will be gladly provided upon request for any applicant with sensory or non-sensory disabilities. Please contact Tracy Olmedo at (503) 281-5675 or hiring@urbanfloodsafetyor.gov for any questions on accessibility or accommodation during the hiring process

Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for Veterans’ Preference when applying for UFSWQD positions. If you are a veteran and would like to request Veterans’ Preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents (Copy of the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD Form 214 or 215; Disabled Veterans must also submit a copy of their Veteran’s Disability Preference Letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) with your application submittal in the attachments section. Documentation must be received by the closing date and time of this recruitment for the applicant to receive Veterans’ Preference.

Equal employment opportunity: All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.

This position is not represented.

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Project Manager - Natural Resources & Environmental Permitting