Tidal Restoration Coordinator

Join our collaborative team and help to increase the resilience of coastal habitats and communities in the Kennebec Estuary region in response to climate change. We’re looking for an applicant who likes creating and analyzing maps, enjoys connecting with communities, and is interested in coastal habitats.

TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information for three professional references in one PDF file to applications@kennebecestuary.org with the subject line “Tidal Restoration Coordinator.”

In your letter, please include a description of a GIS project you have completed, share examples of outreach work you have been involved with, and explain your interest and fit for the position.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Questions can be directed to KELT’s Project Director, Ruth Indrick, at 207-442-8400.

Application deadline: Tuesday, November 12, 2024.

SUMMARY OF POSITION

KELT is seeking a staff member for a two-year grant-funded position that will focus on evaluating, prioritizing, and communicating about tidal crossings, a key climate change vulnerability in the Kennebec Estuary. The Tidal Restoration Coordinator will be an integral part of KELT’s restoration team. Low and undersized road crossings at sites with tides put roads and people at risk and damage the health of tidal wetland habitats. The resilience of both people and habitats is improved by projects that raise road elevation and install larger culverts or bridges, but there are limited funds and capacity to address the more than 100 tidal crossings in the Kennebec Estuary.

 The work of the Restoration Coordinator over the next two years will address this challenge by:

  • identifying the sites where improvement will have the largest benefit for resilience, habitat, and communities

  • connecting with community partners about these sites, and

  • carrying out monitoring of the priority structures, wetlands, and adjacent waters to identify site-specific restoration needs.

The successful applicant will balance technical competence and attention to detail with an ability to thoughtfully connect and communicate with community partners. The work will include ArcGIS mapping, data analysis, conversations with municipal leaders, development of non-technical outreach materials, and fieldwork at tidal marsh sites - assessing structures, water levels, and wetland vegetation.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES

  • Experience using ESRI ArcGIS mapping software

  • Completion of college level course work or 2-years of relevant work experience in communication, wetland ecology, marine science, botany, biology, geology, hydrology, environmental science, environmental engineering, or related fields

  • Passion for community resilience and habitat restoration

  • Comfort working in outdoor settings, with the ability to hike on uneven terrain in adverse conditions

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to explain complex, technical, and scientific information to diverse audiences

  • The ability to be innovative, flexible, and empathetic when listening to and respecting community members with a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives, collaboratively setting goals and problem solving

  • Competency with standard computer software, including Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace  

  • Ability to self-motivate, set priorities, work independently with initiative, and complete tasks carefully and accurately while coordinating and advancing tasks on multiple projects

  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively and to represent KELT with professionalism

  • Driver’s license, clean driving record, and reliable personal vehicle

LOCATION AND WORKING CONDITIONS

The KELT office is located in Bath, Maine. Fieldwork will take place throughout the nine towns in KELT’s service area (Bath, West Bath, Arrowsic, Georgetown, Woolwich, Bowdoinham, Dresden, Richmond, and Westport Island) and some other nearby communities. Occasional travel and attendance at evening meetings or fieldwork during early morning and/or evening low tides may be necessary. Field work will be performed in a variety of outdoor locations which requires an ability to manage uneven terrain and unexpected weather conditions and to work in remote locations. Our office can be bustling with fellow staff, contactors, volunteers, and visitors. There are options to work remotely up to 2 days of the week, seasonally dependent, with computer equipment provided.

COMPENSATION

Full time position with benefits including health/dental/vision insurance, retirement savings plan, paid vacation time/holidays, and a flexible work schedule. This is a two-year, grant-funded position with a firmly set annual salary of $52,000 for the two-year timeframe. Depending upon future grant funding, the position may be extended beyond the two years, with opportunities for salary increases at that time.

DUTIES

  • Compile and analyze data from existing sources, field monitoring, and community feedback to prioritize feasible tidal crossing sites where improvement will have the greatest benefit for resilience, habitat, and communities.

  • Carry out analyses of multiple layers of complex spatial data using ArcGIS software.

  • Meet and work with community partners and municipal leaders to learn about their priorities, interests, and concerns for road crossing infrastructure and tidal marsh sites.

  • Develop outreach materials containing graphics and written information that shares facts and priorities for tidal crossing sites in a clear, non-technical, and engaging way.

  • Carry out field work in tidal marshes and at tidal road crossing sites with KELT permanent and seasonal staff to monitor characteristics that may include: temperature, salinity, water level, elevation, vegetation, sedimentation, and road crossing condition.

  • Enter, compile, analyze, and develop simple reports/summaries of field monitoring data so it can serve as a foundation for engineering designs of improved tidal crossing structures.

  • Collaborate and build relationships with community partners and municipal leaders to advance restoration and resilience projects.

  • Represent KELT in meetings with community partners, sharing information in an approachable and knowledgeable way about KELT projects, tidal marsh restoration, sea level rise, and road vulnerability.

  • Assist with supervising KELT seasonal restoration staff.

  • Develop materials to share information about KELT’s restoration work in land trust outreach materials, including but not limited to KELT’s webpage, social media, and newsletter.

Desirable skills, knowledge, abilities

Not required but great to know about!

  • Experience with graphic design

  • Experience with engineering plans and engineering design software

  • Experience with scientific fieldwork

  • Experience working with municipalities

  • Experience developing written or verbal questionnaires or surveys

  • Experience with bird and/or plant identification

  • Experience with elevation surveying

  • Experience with grant writing and reporting

  • Experience working at a nonprofit

  • Knowledge of biology, ecology and geography of the Maine coast, particularly tidal wetlands

  • 2 years of relevant work experience or an advanced degree in a relevant field


    The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to do this job. The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required. The omission of specific statement of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.