WE'RE HIRING: Habitat Restoration Project Coordinator

May. 29th, 2023 - Jun. 30th, 2023

Join our Habitat Restoration Team in Garibaldi, OR  

Are you an early career scientist interested in restoration ecology?  This could be a great opportunity for you to gain hands-on experience on small scale projects.  Already have plenty of experience?  The beautiful Oregon Coast might be the perfect next assignment for you.  

Tillamook Estuaries Partnership (TEP) has been awarded five years of funding to implement natural resource and green infrastructure projects through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill.  We need help overseeing these projects at our office in Garibaldi, OR.  We are adding a third position to our restoration team!

Scroll down to read more about the job, the type of person we need to fill the position, and find out how to apply. 

Job Description

The Habitat Restoration Project Coordinator is an important position within TEP’s team of skilled professionals.    The high-level objectives of this position are:

• Assess, conserve, and restore watershed habitats including estuarine, non-estuarine wetland, in-stream, riparian, and upland habitats
• Enhance health of salmonid, shellfish, other aquatic species, and non-aquatic species

Job-specific responsibilities for the Habitat Restoration Project Coordinator include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Work as part of TEP’s team to implement our habitat restoration and water quality improvement programs and, by extension, support TEP’s Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP).
  • Oversee our Local Grants Program (LGP) for shovel-ready restoration projects:  collaborate with watershed councils, local nonprofits, and others; administer grant applications and award agreements; work with TEP fiscal team to set up new ASANA project reporting, invoicing and payment, and outreach schedules; visit LGP sites; collaborate with TEP communications team to create content for social media, TEP success stories, and EPA reports.
  • Participate on TEP Coho Strategic Action Plan (SAP) Team to implement small-scale, priority restoration projects such as  Large Woody Debris (LWDs) placements, Beaver Dam Analogs (BDAs), etc. within the Tillamook Bay Watershed:  scope projects, implement landowner agreements,  conduct pre- and post-project monitoring, submit grants (fundraising), manage awarded contracts and grants, provide outreach content.
  • Participate on TEP’s Septic Upgrade/Replacement Team to identify eligible property owners, work with county and municipal partners to make landowner contacts, secure landowner agreements, acquire project estimates, obtain permits, select contractors and execute agreements, conduct daily on-site project oversight, manage budgets, submit project reports, and provide outreach content.  Coordinate with the BackYard Planting Program (BYPP), when applicable.
• Help TEP Staff create ArcGIS maps of past and current TEP restoration projects, monitoring locations, etc., as needed.
• Assist TEP Staff with water quality and ecosystem monitoring to learn techniques and applicability for establishing pre-restoration baselines and post-project effectiveness
• Develop and implement additional small-scale restoration programs, funding dependent.

In order to contribute to the success of TEP as an organization, the Habitat Restoration Project Coordinator will have the following general responsibilities:

• Support TEP staff, Board of Directors, and partners in the development and implementation of CCMP, 5-year strategies, and annual work plans.  Track accomplishments.
• Maintain close working relationships with local, state, and federal partners, scientists, educators, volunteers, and special interest groups
• Represent TEP at meetings, committees, conferences, workshops, and events as needed
• Support TEP- and partner-led water quality, monitoring, nursery, education, and engagement programs as needed
• Communicate TEP’s achievements through reports, quarterly newsletters, website content, and social media postings
• Participate in TEP fundraising efforts
• Any other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications/Requirements (Job Specific)

• Bachelor’s degree in restoration ecology/engineering, environmental/biological sciences or related discipline.
• Work harmoniously with others and effectively complete tasks in an open office environment
• Ability to prioritize tasks to manage multiple projects, adapting as needed to changing priorities, deadlines, and instructions
• Proficiency with Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, and Adobe or other similar software. 
• Reliable transportation to/from TEP’s office (located in the Port of Garibaldi) that does not interfere with the hours required for this position. 
• Proof of valid driver’s license and current auto liability insurance required (i) prior to driving any TEP-owned vehicle and (ii) prior to driving any vehicle, including personal vehicle, for TEP-related business during work hours.

Preferred Experience (Job Specific)

• Working knowledge of federal and state policies and regulations as they pertain to land use and the management of water quality and salmonid habitat
• Familiarity with GIS software, interest in further skills development
• Experience working with diverse populations, rural communities, and private landowners

Preferred Attributes  (General)

• Interact with staff, Board Members, and public with a high level of professionalism
• Effective communications (e.g. respectful and courteous in all verbal and non-verbal communications)
• Creative and self-motivated
• Willing to carry out tasks and respond to situations as they arise with minimal supervision
• Demonstrates integrity and ethical behavior
• Works in an economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable manner
• Displays a positive attitude toward and enthusiasm for functioning as a part of a high-performance team
• Understands and continuously learns about a broad range of issues related to habitat restoration and living resources and is able to condense that knowledge into forms that are easily understood by partners and the general public

Work Environment

This position is subject to all TEP policies including, but not limited to, those provided in the Employee Handbook, Fiscal Policy, safety protocols, and standard operating procedures (SOPs). This position may be subject to periodic background checks during employment.

TEP’s full-time staff typically work four 10-hour days each week, 7:00am – 5:30pm, Mondays through Thursdays.  Evening and weekend work may be required occasionally to support TEP.  The Habitat Restoration Project Coordinator position is eligible to work a hybrid schedule in accordance with TEP’s Workplace Policies:  work up to half of the regularly scheduled work hours remotely.  The hybrid option will be discussed with the successful candidate upon hire.

Work shall be performed in office and outdoor environments.   Work assignments may require walking or standing most of a given day, sitting, keyboarding, bending, pulling, reaching, stooping, climbing, crawling, kneeling, lifting up to 30 pounds, and contending with adverse weather conditions requiring special clothing and safety precautions.   Walking/hiking may be on uneven surfaces and through rough terrain.

Some work assignments may require working independently in a remote field setting.  The Habitat Restoration Project Coordinator shall be expected to follow field safety protocols.

Project work may occasionally be required at TEP’s Native Plant Nursery, which is located adjacent to a minimum-security youth detention facility.  The Habitat Restoration Project Coordinator may engage with at-risk, incarcerated youth who are under guarded supervision by the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA).  Background checks and other safety and security protocols may be required by OYA. 

TEP’s office is located in the Port of Garibaldi.  If you rely on public transportation, note that buses do not come directly into the Port of Garibaldi and that getting to the TEP office from the nearest stop through the Port and over railroad tracks is required.  Tillamook County is a small, rural community without Uber or Lyft, and extremely limited taxi service.

Travel during work hours will frequently be >100 miles per month.  TEP currently has only one vehicle, which is located at its nursery and is typically reserved for nursery-related transportation.  Employees must use their personal vehicles for most other company-related travel.  TEP reimburses its employees for their personal vehicle usage during company-related travel, excluding commuting to and from work, at the IRS standard mileage rate.

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $37,200 - $53,000 per year.   Actual offer of compensation shall be dependent upon experience.  TEP processes payroll on a monthly basis.

This position is eligible for enrollment in TEP’s comprehensive benefits package.  Details on benefits can be provided to candidates during the interview process.   An overview of TEP’s current benefits package for full-time employees includes:

• Medical, Dental, Vision Health Insurance (TEP pays 100% for employee, 80% for spouse and dependent children)
• Retirement Program – TEP contributes an additional 7% of the employee’s salary into a 401k, with tiered vesting structure based on years of employment with TEP; employee may also contribute to 401k)
• Holidays – 10 federal holidays plus 2 floating holidays
• Vacation – Approx 10.5 days per year (accrual system to be explained upon hire)
• Professional development/training budget:  $1250 per year

Application Process

To apply, please submit by email:

1. A resume,
2. A statement of qualifications and interest, and
3. Three professional references.

The statement of qualifications should describe the applicant’s relevant experience and interest in the position.  The statement should not exceed two full, single spaced pages.   Applicant contact information must include mailing address, phone number, and email address.   Professional references must include names, email addresses, and phone numbers.

Please email application materials to Dr. Kristi Foster, Executive Director at kristi@tbnep.org.    Applications will be accepted until 5:00pm (Pacific Time), Friday, June 30, 2023.   Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

TEP will review applications in early July.  All applicants will be contacted by email and advised whether or not they are proceeding to the interview phase of the selection process.  Interviews will be conducted in person or via Zoom, depending on the applicant’s location.  The preferred start date for this position is in August, 2023; the exact date shall be agreed upon by the successful candidate and TEP.

Tillamook Estuaries Partnership is an equal opportunity employer.  TEP does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, or sex in administration of its programs or activities, and, TEP does not intimidate or retaliate against any individual or group because they have exercised their rights to participate in actions protected, or oppose action prohibited, by State of Oregon and Federal civil rights and non-discrimination laws, or for the purpose of interfering with such rights.