Central Coast Steelhead Project Manager

Description

ABOUT TROUT UNLIMITED

Trout Unlimited is the nation’s leading conservation organization working to care for and recover rivers and streams and their trout and salmon populations. We bring people together across the country to be champions for their rivers and help make our water cleaner and our communities healthier. Trout Unlimited is a national organization with 300,000 members and supporters. Our grassroots volunteers are matched by a respected staff of project managers, organizers, lawyers, policy experts, and scientists. In California, TU has a full-time staff of over twenty working across the state in a highly collaborative environment, with a diversity of partners including landowners, tribes, state and federal resource management agencies, private and public funders, and other NGOs. 

POSITION SUMMARY

The California Central Coast Steelhead Project is a unique opportunity for a conservation professional to develop and advance a robust portfolio of streamflow enhancement and habitat restoration projects spanning California’s Central Coast region to maintain and build upon TU’s Central Coast Program and Campaign to recover California South-Central Coast Threatened Steelhead populations. 

The California Central Coast Steelhead Project Manager is a mid-to-senior level, full-time position based in the Central Coast of California, that will primarily work with Trout Unlimited’s California Water Program, based in Berkeley, California. The Project Manager will have the lead responsibility for managing Central Coast restoration projects and will support key partnerships and conservation priorities that align with TU’s strategic framework. The California Central Coast Steelhead Project Manager will additionally work as a member of an interdisciplinary team to enhance streamflow conditions and protect and recover salmon and steelhead trout populations in California. 

The California Central Coast Steelhead Project Manager will be responsible for managing the implementation of a portfolio of current restoration projects, as well as helping add new projects to that portfolio.  Projects will include coordination with landowners, acquisition of public funding, management of design, permitting and construction and post project monitoring of projects which help recover steelhead populations on the Central Coast. The size of these projects will vary widely, from individual residential water tank systems with a budget of less than $100,000, to bridge and diversion replacement projects with a budget of $3 million or more. The Project Manager will represent Trout Unlimited in various partnerships, technical advisory groups and coalitions.

The position will be part of a growing and dynamic team of staff in California. This position will provide program support to the California Water and Habitat programs in Coastal San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Monterey, San Benito and San Luis Obispo counties. The Project Manager will be required to travel frequently to project sites throughout the region. 

Requirements

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage individual restoration projects including: managing planning/design activities, securing environmental documents and permits, coordinating implementation, and overseeing monitoring and data management.
• Prepare grant proposals through private, local, state, and federal sources.
• Manage contracts with funders, consultants, and subcontractors.
• Manage bid processes, budgets, and reporting.
• Train, supervise and collaborate with Water Program interns and other staff members.
• Build strategic, scientific, and technical capacity in the field.
• Build and maintain positive and productive relationships with agency, NGO, tribal, and private partners, to collaboratively plan and implement projects.
• Organize stakeholder involvement, including with the local TU chapter, and outreach meetings.

 QUALIFICATIONS 

• Based in the California Central Coast region.
• Master’s degree and 2 years relevant experience with conservation or restoration project prioritization, scoping, planning, and managing engineering, design and construction projects or a Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of relevant experience. 
• Demonstrated ability (including direct experience or transferable skills) in conservation project management or a related field.
• Professional experience working with landowners, agencies, scientists, resource managers, and other interested parties in a collaborative setting.
• Experience with water conservation and stream restoration principles, methods, and practices. 
• Experience with grant writing. Familiarity with state and federal grant programs a plus.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills with special attention to detail.
• Ability to problem solve and think creatively to achieve a conservation mission.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Self-motivated and highly energetic, with excellent time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines simultaneously.
• Ability and willingness to travel within the California Central Coast region. Valid driver’s license and own vehicle required.
• Must be able to work independently often in remote settings.
• Valid driver’s license and own vehicle required.
• Passion for wild rivers, rugged coastal forests, and native trout and salmon.
• Demonstrated commitment to river and fisheries conservation needed, obsession with fish or fishing happily accepted, and knowledge of TU preferred.

Applications received by September 28, 2025 will receive priority consideration. Open until filled.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Financial compensation for the California Central Coast Steelhead Project Manager will be commensurate with applicable and relevant experience, from $75,000 to $90,000 per year. Benefits include a health, dental, and vision plan; paid time off; a retirement plan; and a flexible work schedule with the ability to work remotely as well as in the office.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION

At TU, we value diversity, and we actively seek candidates for this position who come from communities that have been historically under-represented in conservation and those who have been most impacted by degraded rivers and streams. We are committed to building space for all people to participate in our work to care for trout and salmon and clean our shared waters. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome you to read more about TU’s equity practice and values https://www.tu.org/equity/.