Penobscot River Restoration Trust River Monitoring Coordinator

 The Penobscot River Restoration Trust (Penobscot Trust) www.penobscotriver.org

 is looking to hire a Monitoring Coordinator to organize and manage activities related to scientific monitoring and evaluation of the historic Penobscot River Restoration Project.

The Penobscot Project, one of the most innovative large-scale river restoration projects in the country, aims to improve access to historic river habitat for 11 species of sea-run fish, including 1000 miles for endangered Atlantic salmon, while maintaining energy production. As part of the historic Penobscot Agreement, the Trust will be purchasing three dams and then removing the two closest to the sea (Veazie and Great Works) and bypassing a third (Howland) to reconnect important inland river habitat to the Gulf of Maine, providing a wide array of benefits to the ecology of Maine’s largest watershed and the economy of the region. Last year the Trust was awarded funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to initiate a comprehensive environmental monitoring program http://www.penobscotriver.org/content/4097/Science_and_Monitoring/. A more recent funding award will support monitoring through the 2012 field season (and beyond pending ongoing funding allocations). The successful candidate will work under a one-year renewable contract pending availability of funds.

The Monitoring Coordinator will be based in the Penobscot Trust’s Augusta and/or Old Town, Maine offices and will serve under the direction of the Penobscot Trust’s Deputy Director.  The successful candidate will work closely with:  cooperating investigators at the University of Maine System and other research institutions; the Trust’s Member organizations and project partners including, but not limited to, the Penobscot Indian Nation, The Nature Conservancy, Trout Unlimited, NOAA and others; and members of the Penobscot Science Exchange and  Diadromous Species Restoration Research Network.

Responsibilities:

·        Provide monitoring planning, design, coordination and management expertise to support the Penobscot Trust’s efforts to implement long-term ecological monitoring of the Penobscot Project.

·        Oversee monitoring activities being coordinated by the Trust and its partners.

·        Manage contracts to ensure monitoring scopes are accurately and appropriately implemented on time and on budget.

·        Compile, manage, and disseminate information related to monitoring.

·        Provide support and technical assistance (as appropriate) to contractors performing field-based monitoring activities associated with several measures for the Trust and partners. 

·        Prepare reports on monitoring activities for the Trust and its funders.

·        Coordinate and connect researchers to ensure their data are shared among each other to reduce redundancies, ensure sharing equipment and staff (techs) as possible, and minimize logistical discontinuities.

·        Close interaction with various components of federal, state and local government agencies, academic institutions, and non-profit organizations

·        Work with Trust and partners on public outreach and communications associated with Project monitoring.

Requirements:
Required Qualifications:
·        Knowledge of Northeastern U.S. coastal and/or riverine ecosystems, monitoring methods for specific habitat types or resources, and life histories and habitat requirements of migratory fish and other riverine species.

·        Strong background in applicable physical and/or life sciences (e.g., anadromous fish ecology, geomorphology, hydrology/hydraulics, and/or river restoration).

·        Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate clearly with both scientists and non-scientists.

·        Ability to handle multiple, concurrent, and competing projects and responsibilities.

·        Proven administrative and management skills including scope development, contract development and management, budgeting, and reporting.  

·        Excellent capacity to schedule and manage multiple field-based projects maintaining budgets, time lines, and coordinating multiple contractors, and collating and summarizing multiple reports under tight deadlines and project constraints.

·        Strong computer and information technology skills including proficiency with word processing, spreadsheet, presentation (e.g. PowerPoint) and other software for managing, presenting, and disseminating information to diverse audiences.

·        Willingness to travel within the region is required. Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle.

·        Ability to work independently and creatively within a high-paced work environment.

Desirable Qualifications:
·        Experience with applied habitat restoration, especially aquatic systems, and/or scientific monitoring design.
·        Experience with GIS, databases, and web interfaces.

·        Understanding of the state, federal and tribal regulations that apply to work on and around the Penobscot River and its species.

·        Experience working on interdisciplinary teams. 
 
Education Requirements:

·        Candidates must possess a Masters degree, or have equivalent experience, in one of the marine sciences, fishery biology, ecology, hydrology, water resources, earth science, or a related field.