Restoration Project Manager

The Mississippi River is one of the world’s great rivers, a natural resource of global significance. Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) is a leading nonprofit that protects, restores and enhances the Mississippi River and its watershed, primarily in the Twin Cities region. The organization has become a national model for conservation and watershed protection. Our goals are to improve water quality, conserve essential lands, engage people in learning about and taking action to protect and enhance the river, inspire widespread commitment to this natural wonder flowing through our community, and protect our river’s unique scenic, natural, cultural and recreational qualities. 

The organization has an annual budget of $4.4 million and employs a dedicated, professional staff of 28 who work to improve the health of the river through policy advocacy, education and engagement, land conservation and restoration, and other disciplines. Over 31 years, FMR has established deep relationships and credibility with thousands of community members, landowners, neighborhood organizations, volunteers, government agencies and elected officials. 

With a well-known and respected reputation, a seasoned and effective staff, a strong Board of Directors and a growing base of support, FMR is poised for continued growth and success. The workplace culture at FMR is collaborative and fun, and staff share a common love of the river and dedication to the organization’s mission.

FMR believes the Mississippi River connects us all, and that social and environmental issues are woven together. As we work toward restoring habitat and the river’s waters, we will also work toward a riverway that is safe, healing and accessible for everyone. We strive to be culturally competent, welcoming and inclusive of all people and are committed to using our resources and influence to redress structural inequality where it intersects with the health and vitality of the Mississippi River.

The Position

The Restoration Project Manager will be a member of FMR’s five-person Land Conservation Department and will provide project management and restoration service oversight to landowner partners in the organization’s conservation focus areas. The position will report to the Conservation Director and work closely with FMR’s Ecologists and Pollinator Biologist to hire and oversee contractors, manage restoration projects and budgets, conduct plant and wildlife surveys, monitor restorations, and plan and lead volunteer events.

The position is suitable for a hard-working and independent person with a commitment to and a passion for environmental protection and ecosystem restoration. The ideal candidate will have experience managing contractors and overseeing restoration implementation and a degree in restoration ecology, botany, natural resources or another related field. Significant restoration project management experience may substitute for the completion of a four-year degree program in a related field. Familiarity with Minnesota’s native plant communities and fauna, invasive plant species, and tree diseases, as well as experience with grants management, are also desired. 

Primary Responsibilities

• Oversee ecological restoration contractors and restoration implementation. 
• Maintain positive working relationships and communication with contractors, landowners and project partners. 
• Perform independent site visits to evaluate contractor performance and restoration outcomes. 
• Develop and review requests for proposals and bids and select contractors.
• Keep detailed records of project data.
• Track grant and project budgets.
• Assist in the preparation of grant proposals and reports. 
• Plan and lead restoration events for volunteer groups.

Additional Responsibilities

• Assist and participate in organizational events, including strategic planning, staff meetings, budgeting and fundraisers.
• Foster good working relationships with other organizations, agencies and community leaders to help accomplish program goals.
• Conduct independent ecological evaluations at specified project locations in the metropolitan area.
• Assist in preparing natural resource management plans.
• Prepare articles and other organizational communication pieces. 

Core Competencies

• Sound judgment with the ability to balance independent action with guidance and consultation with colleagues. 
• Ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with other members of the Land Conservation team.
• Ability to effectively manage time, prioritize tasks and meet deadlines while considering the workload and deadlines of other staff.
• Provide a positive image of FMR to people encountered while in the field.    
• Ability to be creative, adaptive, and flexible when managing conservation activities.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with FMR staff, board, partners and other outside parties.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience conducting or supervising restoration and land management activities such as prescribed burning, herbicide application and working with land management equipment.
• Degree in ecology, conservation biology or related field and 1-2 years of professional experience, especially in restoration project management or contracting. OR, 3-5 years of professional experience in restoration project management in lieu of a degree in a related field.
• Ability to identify a majority of native and invasive plants in a variety of different habitats in the Upper Midwest.
• Experience contracting and overseeing applied restoration work. 
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to plan work, meet deadlines and balance multiple projects and objectives.
• Experience managing project budgets. 
• Familiarity with ArcGIS Pro and the Microsoft Office Suite of programs. 
• Ability to effectively communicate with people of all ages in the field or public forums.
• Ability to direct/instruct volunteers in ecological stewardship activities. 
• Reliable transportation.
• Ability to work independently outdoors in rugged terrain under adverse field and weather conditions.
• Commitment to and passion for the mission of Friends of the Mississippi River.

Additional Desired Qualifications

• Professional certifications and/or licenses, such as pesticide application or burn training.
• Experience writing and managing grants. 
• Experience writing natural resource management plans and restoration prescriptions.
• Excellent writing skills.
• Identification knowledge of birds, herpetofauna or other wildlife.
• Expertise in Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) or Native ways of knowing.
• Knowledge of water quality & erosion BMPs, streambank stabilization, wetland ecology, soil science and tree diseases.
• Experience with or understanding of standard vegetation survey methods. 

Salary & Benefits

This is a full-time and permanent position. The annual salary range is $47,000 – $56,000, commensurate with experience. Benefits include health, dental and short-term disability insurance, a retirement plan with employer match, and generous paid vacation, sick, personal, parental and holiday leave.