About the position
The Suffolk County Water Authority is seeking a Science and Stewardship Manager to oversee and implement programs and research initiatives aimed at promoting interagency stewardship of public lands within the Central Pine Barrens area. This role is crucial in supporting the goals and objectives of the Long Island Pine Barrens Protection Act of 1993. The successful candidate will assist public agencies in the administration and stewardship management of publicly owned lands through effective conservation and land management methods, as well as through planning and program partnerships. The position is based in Westhampton, NY, and involves supervising staff within the Science and Stewardship division while reporting directly to the Executive Director and Manager of Policy and Planning. The Science and Stewardship Manager will be responsible for maintaining and enhancing regional natural, historic, cultural, recreational, and scenic resources in accordance with existing guidelines and regulatory requirements. This includes participating in the development and coordination of regional plans with public land management agencies to guide stewardship and management of natural resources. The role also involves measuring conservation success through various scientific measures, including ecological restoration, prescribed fire, wildfire mitigation, invasive species prevention, and resource preservation. In addition to these responsibilities, the manager will work closely with agency partners and contractors to identify conservation and restoration needs for the Central Pine Barrens region. They will assist in developing and implementing priority regional scientific research and management activities, support forest health management, and oversee the work of subordinate staff, consultants, volunteers, and interns. The position requires preparing written reports on division projects and activities, administering division contracts and grants, and fostering positive relationships with private and public landowners and civic groups through education and outreach efforts. The manager will also facilitate meetings with the Protected Lands Council and perform other duties as assigned by supervisors.
Responsibilities
- Manage and implement programs and research initiatives for interagency stewardship of public lands.
- Maintain and enhance regional natural, historic, cultural, recreational, and scenic resources.
- Participate in the development and coordination of regional scale plans with public land management agencies.
- Measure conservation success through monitoring and scientific measures.
- Work with agency partners and contractors to identify conservation/restoration needs.
- Assist with the development and implementation of priority regional scientific research and management activities.
- Support and facilitate forest health management and restoration activities.
- Supervise division work and work products prepared by staff, consultants, volunteers, and interns.
- Prepare and provide written reports on division projects and activities.
- Administer division contracts and grants, prepare budgets and workplans, and ensure conformance with specifications.
- Work with partners to identify and implement mitigation measures for critical threats.
- Foster positive relationships with landowners, support agencies, and civic groups through education and outreach efforts.
- Assist with the preparation of Memorandums of Understanding with public land-owning agencies.
- Facilitate and participate in meetings with the Protected Lands Council.
- Perform all other duties as assigned by supervisors.
Requirements
- 6-8 years' experience in natural resources management.
- Bachelor's Degree in natural resources management, ecology, forestry, conservation biology, or related field required; Master's Degree preferred.
- Demonstrated experience in ecological management and stewardship.
- Knowledge of ecological communities of New York State and property stewardship.
- Understanding of water resources, wetlands, invasive species, and climate change issues.
- Ability to apply adaptive management principles for natural resource management.
- Knowledge of wildfire risk management and prescribed fire.
- Familiarity with ecological principles and biological systems.
- Knowledge of State and Federal listed rare and endangered species and applicable regulations.
- Ability to prepare contracts and large budgets exceeding $1 million.
- Experience with environmental review as required by the State Environmental Quality Review Act.
- Excellent supervisory, management, and leadership skills.
- Experience with grant writing and administration.
- Competency in reading and interpreting maps and aerial photographs.
- Experience with GIS, Google Earth, and remote sensing.
Nice-to-haves
- Experience with community outreach and data collection.
- Knowledge of trail maintenance and vegetation inventories.
Benefits
- Salary range of $95-98K commensurate with experience.
