Mitigation Project Manager

About the role

• Job Posting Title
• Mitigation Project Manager
• Agency
• 645 CONSERVATION COMMISSION
• Supervisory Organization
• Conservation Commission
• Job Posting End Date

Refer to the date listed at the top of this posting, if available. Continuous if date is blank.

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.

• Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank)
• Full/Part-Time
• Full time
• Job Type
• Regular

Compensation

Up to $80,000. Salary Based on Education and Experience.

All applicants must upload a resume, cover letter and 3 references to be considered for this position

The location for this position is negotiable statewide, but preference is given to candidates able to work from the Oklahoma City or Stillwater office.

About the role

Basic Purpose

The primary duty of this position is to manage all aspects of state led wetland and stream mitigation banking projects.

This position will work in close coordination with the Oklahoma Conservation Commission (OCC) wetlands program team under the supervision of the Technical Programs Director, to support the creation and management of mitigation banks, to meet the Clean Water Act permitting requirements of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT).

The Mitigation Project Manager will serve as a liaison between the OCC Wetlands Program and ODOT, coordinating across agencies to ensure programmatic goals are met.

Typical Functions

The employee in this position is expected to

• Work under the direction of the Technical Programs Director and in coordination with the ODOT Clean Water Programs Manager;
• Identify suitable potential mitigation bank locations within ODOT priority watersheds;
• Work with private landowners to secure property through fee-title acquisition and/or third-party conservation easements;
• Coordinate with conservation partners to identify entities willing to hold the title and/or easements on mitigation banks;
• Draft project prospectuses and mitigation banking instruments (MBIs);
• Coordinate with the US. Army Corps of Engineers and Interagency Review Team (IRT) to ensure MBIs meet regulatory and programmatic requirements;
• Work with contractors on design-build specifications to deliver ecologically functional mitigation projects;
• Oversee contractors and construction to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget and to specification;
• Develop and implement long-term maintenance plans;
• Monitor project success according to documented performance standards and manage corrective actions as needed;
• Help identify and procure appropriate funding mechanisms for construction bonds and long-term maintenance;
• Manage project budgets to deliver fiscally responsible mitigation projects;
• Coordinate with federal, state and tribal partners to ensure projects comply with all relevant regulations;
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Level Descriptor

Levels are distinguished based on the complexity of assigned duties, the level of expertise required for completion of work assignments, and the responsibility assigned for the supervision of others.

At this level of this job family employees are assigned responsibilities involving the direction of a major environmental or consumer protection division, section or program.

This may include providing technical supervision and training to environmental and public health personnel, including developing program procedures and planning, organizing and interpreting environmental or consumer protection programs for implementation within multiple administrative districts of the state, or in a major division or section involved in the enforcement of both federal and state laws related to environmental or public health control.

Duties assigned include evaluation of technical quality of local environmental or consumer protection programs and personnel, making workload analysis and recommending program changes; monitoring inspections and analyzing activity levels to maximize utilization of personnel; supervise and ensure that inspections and surveys are performed in a standardized and uniform manner; and coordination of inspections, enforcement and work assignments with other divisions, programs and agencies.

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in agriculture, natural resource management, environmental science or a related field.
• At least one (1) year of experience managing complex environmental projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five (5) years of relevant professional experience OR a master's degree from an accredited college or university in agriculture, natural resources management, environmental science, or a related field and three (3) years of relevant professional experience;
• Experience with conservation easements and/or land acquisition;
• Experience with mitigation banking;
• Experience providing construction oversight;
• Experience with contract management; and
• Experience with environmental compliance

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies

The successful candidate should demonstrate

• Knowledge of Oklahoma wetlands, streams, and more broadly Oklahoma ecosystems, including ecosystem services, land-use impacts, regulatory requirements, and management strategies;
• Strong organizational and project management skills including the ability to manage budgets, coordinate with partners, and oversee contractors;
• Knowledge of Oklahoma's conservation community, including relevant stakeholders, conservation partners, and agencies involved in wildlife and environmental management;
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with team members;
• Proficiency with computers and contemporary software packages including Microsoft Office and ArcGIS software;
• Willingness to perform field work throughout the year under varying weather condition;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of stakeholders.

Additional Information

• The successful candidate must be a legal resident of the United States.
• The successful candidate must possess or obtain a valid Oklahoma driver's license.
• Work travel could include all of Oklahoma with most initial travel expected in central or southcentral Oklahoma. Limited overnight stays are possible and out-of-state travel may be required, particularly for training purposes.
• OCC will provide training and supervisory guidance as necessary to support the employee in performing assigned duties and responsibilities.

Benefits

• Generous leave including 15 days of vacation, 15 days of sick leave and 11 paid holidays annually.
• A comprehensive Benefit Package with a generous benefit allowance to offset the cost of insurance premiums for employees and their eligible dependents.