Environmental Stewardship Manager

Job Description:

Environmental Stewardship Manager

Description

Position Description

Tacoma Water is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Environmental Stewardship Manager to lead and oversee all aspects of our environmental responsibilities. This critical role ensures Tacoma Water's compliance with key agreements, regulatory requirements, and our commitment to environmental sustainability.

The Environmental Stewardship Manager is responsible for the development, implementation, tracking, and reporting of all matters related to Tacoma Water's environmental stewardship. This includes obligations formalized in key agreements and contractual documents (e.g., the Habitat Conservation Plan, the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Agreement, the Friends of the Green Agreement, the Additional Water Storage Agreement), as well as operational responsibilities (e.g., operation of fish passage facilities, forest practices, and environmental monitoring sites). This position also oversees the review and effective operation of Water Division land management.
The ideal candidate will have expertise in leading cross-functional teams on complex projects, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and fostering collaboration between internal and external technical teams and stakeholders. They will have proven experience in environmental planning, habitat restoration, water resource management, and being an environmental steward that supports long-term sustainability efforts.

This position is located at our Green River Operations Center in the upper Green River Municipal Watershed near Ravensdale, WA. The successful candidate is expected to be onsite at least 3 days per week. The uninhabited 231 square mile watershed extends from the crest of the Cascade Mountains to the Headworks Diversion Dam located at river mile 61 on the Green River at an elevation of about 900 feet. This position supervises one of three Tacoma Water teams co-located at this location and works in coordination with the other teams to achieve utility objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Environmental Planning & Implementation: Develop and implement short- and long-term environmental planning goals, activities, policies, and strategies, including environmental mitigation and restoration plans and agreements (e.g., Tacoma Water Habitat Conservation Plan). Manage environmental programs and initiatives in collaboration with Tacoma Water management.
• Staff Leadership & Project Management: Plan, direct, and evaluate the work of professional staff in developing, implementing, and evaluating environmental plans, associated water utility infrastructure plans, and mitigation of environmental impacts. Provide technical assistance to all operating sections of the Utility. Manage multiple large environmental projects, supervising staff and contractors in project planning, design, and execution. Examples include environmental mitigation for the Second Supply Project and the Howard Hanson Additional Water Storage Project, habitat mitigation and restoration projects, pipeline and road protection, fish handling facilities, and fish passage.
• Budget Management: Prepare, monitor, and manage the $5 million plus capital and operating budget to achieve environmental stewardship goals and requirements.
• Endangered Species Act (ESA) Compliance: Ensure Tacoma Water's compliance with the ESA and direct staff to develop required projects.
• Land Management & Acquisition: Coordinate with Real Property Services and Tacoma Water staff on real property asset management. Collaborate with the Watershed Operations Manager to identify and pursue purchase options for strategically important forest lands within the Green River Watershed.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Communication: Represent Tacoma Water with public agencies, citizen groups, and committees on environmental issues. Lead the negotiation and drafting of intergovernmental agreements and implementation procedures. Work with regulatory agencies to resolve technical, operational, and compliance issues. Communicate complex technical information to diverse audiences, including policymakers and the public, and develop recommendations regarding environmental programs.

Qualifications

Minimum Education*
Bachelor's degree in biology, environmental science, forestry, resource management, archeology or other scientific field related to assignment

Minimum Experience*
5 years including 1 year prior at a supervisory level

*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education

Desired Qualifications
3 years in a supervisory role

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

This recruitment is being managed by Joanna Hambrick, if you would like to be notified of similar opportunities or stay connected with things going on at Tacoma Public Utilities and the City of Tacoma, connect with me on LinkedIn !

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Tacoma's diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma's entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. One of our goals is for the City of Tacoma workforce to reflect the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play.

The City of Tacoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workplace. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and local laws.

Apply
Interested individuals should apply online and attach a detailed resume and cover letter that includes job experience, major responsibilities and accomplishments related to this position.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received for interview consideration.

Reference checks will be conducted on final candidates and appointment is subject to passing a background check.

Communication from the City of Tacoma:
We primarily communicate via e-mail during the application process. E-mails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders.

If you have any additional questions regarding this position, please contact the Human Resources Department at 253.591.5400 prior to 4pm on the date of this posting closing.

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 2/6/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$118,560.00 - $166,920.00 Annually