ABOUT TROUT UNLIMITED

Trout Unlimited (TU) brings together diverse interests to care for and recover the rivers and streams on which we all depend. We are a national organization with 300,000 members and supporters organized into over 400 chapters and councils nationwide. Our dedicated grassroots volunteers are matched by a respected staff of organizers, lawyers, policy experts, and scientists, who work out of more than 25 offices across the country.

POSITION SUMMARY

This position is an exciting opportunity for a self-motivated, highly capable person with diverse skills to advance TU’s conservation efforts in Nevada. The Nevada Project or Program Manager unites diverse interests and drives tangible, action-oriented efforts to support the recovery of Lahontan cutthroat trout (LCT) and conservation objectives across TU’s Priority Waters. The Project or Program Manager will develop and implement projects to restore stream and riparian habitat using form and process-based restoration techniques and improve water quality through opportunistic abandoned mine land (AML) reclamation projects. Externally, the role will expand TU’s base of private and public partners. Internally, the role will collaborate closely with a cross-departmental team that includes the Rocky Mountain Region Vice President, Western AML Program Director and staff from TU’s California Inland Trout, Government Affairs, Science, Utah, Oregon and Idaho teams to advance conservation efforts within Priority Waters.  

The ideal Project or Program Manager is action and solution-oriented; works easily with diverse stakeholders and personalities; is optimistic and sees opportunity in challenging situations; responds with initiative to locally driven needs and opportunities; and, importantly, is enthusiastic about building a robust, multi-faceted, science-driven conservation program in Nevada.

Project Manager candidates must demonstrate strong project management skills and follow-through, as well as experience related to river restoration, groundwater, hydrology, aquatic ecology and fisheries, working agriculture, and/or AML reclamation. Project Managers must also demonstrate an eagerness to learn other job elements quickly and will be expected to work closely with other TU staff on fundraising, budget management, community engagement, science, policy and advocacy matters. 

Program Manager candidates must demonstrate the skills described above, as well as prior program leadership and financial management experience. Program Managers must adeptly balance a project portfolio with program responsibilities, and play a lead role in fundraising, budget management, community engagement, science, policy and advocacy matters. Program Manager candidates will also be expected to develop a team and to move into a staff supervision role over time. 

The need for future Nevada conservation staff will be based on the success of this role to develop a body of work, pipeline of projects, and reputation for working collaboratively across the conservation space in Nevada. Ideally, this Program Manager would have the ability to hire another project manager within the first two to three years of the role. 

The role would ideally be based near Elko, Winnemucca or a nearby community. Candidates based in Reno or the surrounding area and are willing to travel frequently will also be considered. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Develop and implement projects:

• Work closely with the Bureau of Land Management, USDA Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Nevada Department of Wildlife, Nevada Division of Minerals, Tribal Nations, mining industry partners, landowners, producers and other public and private partners to develop, implement and monitor a suite of habitat restoration and AML remediation projects across LCT range in Nevada.
• Work closely with mining industry partners on specific projects and/or future projects, policy, and conservation efforts. 
• Select, hire and build relationships with subcontractors and vendors for project design, engineering, permitting, construction and monitoring. 
• Provide on-the-ground project oversight during active project implementation periods. 
• Facilitate successful environmental compliance and permit acquisition and ensure permit compliance.
• Ensure proper project documentation and data organization. 

Represent TU values and science research in collaborative planning efforts: 

• Coordinate closely with TU’s Science team to represent and communicate TU’s research findings on matters related to LCT recovery and resilience, LCT genetics, as well as watershed health, aquatic habitat and climate conditions in Nevada. 
• Represent TU on watershed-based collaborative groups and coalitions, including relevant Recovery Implementation Teams (RITs) in Nevada. 
• Facilitate and ensure the completion of collaborative watershed plans for LCT streams.

Develop and maintain relationships:

• Maintain and strengthen existing partnerships with agency staff, local governments, community organizations, private industry partners, landowners, Tribes, nonprofit organizations, consultants, contractors, ag producers, and local and elected officials and their staff.
• Work closely with local chapter(s) of Trout Unlimited to coordinate community outreach, events, projects, grassroots fundraising, DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion), and volunteer efforts. 

Support communications: 

• Collaborate closely with the Rocky Mountain Communications Director and other communications staff to facilitate effective program storytelling. 
• Support communications associated with grant and funding reports and various TU strategic communications (website, blog, social media, etc.). 

Support fundraising, financial management and administration: 

• Collaborate with TU development staff to identify potential funding sources, develop relationships with funders, and draft funding proposals. 
• In coordination with accounting and compliance staff, complete project administration tasks, including procurement, contracting, invoicing, tracking project budgets and grant reporting.
• Manage a budget of approximately $1M to start, with growth expected over time. 

This is not an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities.  

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field required, master’s degree preferred.
• Professional experience in fisheries, ecology, hydrology, engineering, natural resource management and/or restoration and conservation project management.
• Professional experience working with federal and private landowners, resource managers, and other interested parties in a collaborative setting. Experience working with Tribal nations is preferred. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with multiple and diverse partners in a highly collaborative and inclusive manner, even on contentious issues.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Ability to solve problems and think creatively to achieve a conservation mission.
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Self-motivated and highly energetic with excellent time-management skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, and the ability to articulate complex conservation issues and TU’s mission to a wide range of audiences.
• Ability to work independently while managing complex projects. The job requires the ability to prioritize workload, and to be highly motivated and self-directed.
• Experience managing budgets.
• Experience with grant or proposal writing. 
• Passion for protecting and restoring Nevada’s waters, especially those that are important to the LCT, Nevada’s resilient state fish.  
• Ability and willingness for extensive travel and periodic overnight trips. A large portion of Nevada’s geography will be covered by this role. Valid driver’s license and own (ideally 4WD-AWD) vehicle required. 

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Staff and leadership at TU understand that life outside of work is important to personal health, and we strive to create a healthy and family-friendly atmosphere. This is a full-time position with a generous benefits package, as well as reimbursement for work-related travel at standard state/federal rates. The starting salary range is $60,000 to $75,000 for Project Managers and $75,000 to $85,000 for Program Managers depending on experience and qualifications. Title and compensation decisions are dependent on several factors including, but not limited to, an individual’s qualifications and experience level, internal equity, alignment with market data, and geographic differences. 

We are committed to building space for all people to participate in our work to care for trout and salmon and clean our shared waters. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome you to read more about TU’s equity practice and values.

We will begin reviewing applications the week of December 9th. The position will be open until filled.