Natural Resources Program Manager presso City of Gresham, OR

About the Department

The City of Gresham is seeking an experienced and visionary leader to serve as Natural Resources Program Manager within the Watershed/Parks Division. This position plays a pivotal role in protecting and restoring the City’s streams, wetlands, floodplains, and wildlife habitats, while ensuring compliance with state, federal, and regional regulations. We are looking for someone who is passionate about environmental stewardship, collaborative problem-solving, and leading innovative natural resource initiatives.  This role provides direct supervision of three (3) full-time staff, as well as managing the work of technical on-call specialists in the fields of wetland science, environmental policy, geomorphology, geotechnical engineering, forest health, floodplain engineering, and wildlife.  The Natural Resources Program Manager reports to the Watershed and Parks Director.

As Oregon's fourth-largest city, Gresham is a welcoming community of hard-working people where tradition and heritage meet innovation and opportunity. Gresham is a dynamic and rapidly growing city where families and businesses have a mutual desire and drive to thrive. City of Gresham employees care deeply about the community they serve and go 'one step beyond' to deliver services in collaborative, inventive, practical, and nimble ways. Our work is challenging, fast-paced and rewarding.

We believe that to deliver the highest level of service to all Gresham community members, it is crucial we employ a diverse workforce, foster an inclusive working environment, and ensure our policies and systems result in equitable outcomes. The City seeks candidates who will support these values by continuously incorporating equity in their daily work and actively contributing to a workplace culture that respects unique viewpoints, life experiences and cultural perspectives. Come build the future with us.

Position Duties

What you will get to do:

• Develop and coordinate City compliance with the Endangered Species Act, wetlands and stream protection rules, floodplain habitat protection, and related regulations.
• Lead and manage a talented team of environmental specialists and consultants, overseeing $1M in contracts annually.
• Oversee and implement the Natural Resources Master Plan, driving $25M+ in riparian, stream, and wetland restoration and mitigation projects across Gresham.
• Serve as the City’s liaison to state and federal agencies, building partnerships and advancing collaborative solutions.
• Provide subject matter expertise to guide City planning, development, and infrastructure projects near protected resources.
• Develop and manage program budgets, special funds, and secure external funding opportunities.
• Represent the City in technical advisory committees, permit negotiations, public forums, and community engagement efforts to advance natural resource goals.

• an ability to pivot between strategic planning and emergent needs.

• an ability to create systems/structure amid ambiguity while preserving opportunities to innovate.

• intellectual curiosity and an ability to analyze complex issues and identify inventive solutions to resource-limited challenges.

• experience complying with environmental regulations and developing local environmental policies within an urban context in a manner balancing community needs for development and ecological protection.

• leadership and supervisory experience with both staff and consultants.
• excellent communication skills and ability to build consensus with diverse stakeholders.
• experience with budget management, contract oversight, and grant writing.

Work schedule/environment:  

The current schedule for this position is hybrid. Employees work on-site/in the office for a minimum of four days per week. The City of Gresham may increase on-site requirements with notice. The hiring manager for this position will have more current information at the time of all verbal/contingent offers.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Development and application of regional, state, and federal environmental policies affecting wetlands, streams and stream temperatures, and protected habitat areas, particularly TMDLs, riparian buffers, removal/fill rules, Endangered Species Act and NFIP, and mitigation rules for wetlands, streams, and floodplains. 
• Laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and collective bargaining agreements affecting City policies and operations
• City government administration, organization, functions, and services
• Practices, principles, procedures, regulations, standards, and techniques as they relate to assigned operations
• Supervisory principles and practices
• Budget development and fiscal management principles and practices
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to the public and City staff
• Techniques for effectively representing the City with government agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations                
• Communication principles, practices, and techniques
• Modern office practices and methods, computer equipment, hardware and software applications

• Exercise discretion in confidential and sensitive matters
• Interpret, apply, and ensure compliance with applicable policies, procedures, laws, and regulations
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, assess consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations
• Influence and gain cooperation when there are competing or conflicting priorities; conduct effective negotiations and represent the City
• Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls
• Oversee a multicultural workforce, promote an equitable workplace environment, and apply equitable program practices to diverse and complex City services
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all internal and external contacts
• Operate office equipment and technology tools including personal computers, laptop computers and printers, and presentation equipment
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing; present information, proposals, and recommendations clearly and persuasively

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, natural resources, public administration, or related field.
• Three (3) or more years of progressively responsible experience in natural resource management, environmental policy, or related work; must include management or supervision of staff.

• Master's degree in environmental science, natural resources, public administration, or related field.
• Six (6) or more years of progressively responsible experience in natural resource management, environmental policy, or related work.

Other Qualifications

To apply for this position, click 'Apply' at the top of this job posting.

Required application materials:

• Complete online application (Do not type 'see resume' in any fields or leave work experience fields blank in the application template.)
• Answers to supplemental questions

 The City of Gresham offers a comprehensive and equitable base salary within the listed range based on your experience, skills, and education verified in your application. We encourage you to clearly describe how you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications and essential attributes in your application materials. Learn more about Oregon Equal Pay.

If you desire a modification of this process to accommodate a disability, please provide your request in writing to [email protected], or by phone to 503-618-2729, upon submitting the required application documents.

A review of application materials including your response to supplemental questions submitted will determine which candidates will be invited to an interview.

Communication with candidates will be done primarily through e-mail. Sometimes these messages may land in a spam or junk mail folder. We encourage you to monitor your inbox as well as the inbox within the governmentjobs.com portal for important updates related to this process.

Veteran's Preference

The City of Gresham provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with preference in employment in accordance with state law. Any candidate wishing to have their qualifying veteran's preference applied to the process must submit a qualifying document (DD Form 214 or 215) at the time of application providing proof of eligibility that includes discharge status. Disabled veterans must also submit a copy of their Veteran's disability preference letter from the US Department of Veteran Affairs at the time of application, unless the information is included in the DD Form 214 or 215.

Our Commitment

The City of Gresham is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants without unlawful regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, familial status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, Oregon, or local law.

Please direct questions about this position to 503-618-2729 or [email protected].

If you need assistance with the online application, please contact NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627.

Any offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check.