Assistant Project Manager

Assistant Project Manager

Yakima Klickitat Fisheries Project

Department of Natural Resources

Hourly Wage: $31.19-$35.10/Regular/Full-Time

Location: Yakima, Toppenish & Richland

The assistant project manager hired for this position will work strategically with the project manager to provide support in all stages of the project lifecycle for projects throughout the Yakima and Klickitat River Basins. Projects will include work on instream infrastructure such as dams and diversions, as well as complex stream restoration projects. Project work emphasizes improvements to fish passage, and landscape scale restoration and protection in priority watersheds and reaches that support native salmonid stocks, with emphasis on projects that have the greatest benefit for treaty fish resources. Specific duties include drafting and reviewing contracts, agreements, budgets, and scopes of work under the close supervision of a project manager. This position will also provide oversight in the field of contractors, partner agencies, and Yakama Nation technicians. For research projects this oversight may require navigating whitewater rapids on a jet boat, raft, or canoe.

Examples of Work Performed:

Assist the Project Manager Lead with budget matters and ensure that work products comply with tribal policy and funding agency requirements. Assist with managing project scope, budget, work schedule, timelines, and deliverables. Submit project status reports and final summary reports to Project Manager. Assures that project activities are consistent with tribal and federal policies and regulations.

The assistant project manager will work frequently alongside the project manager, Yakama Nation bookkeepers, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, NOAA, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Washington State Department of Natural Resources staff and other resource managers, including -non-profit organizations, conservation and irrigation district employees, city and county representatives, tribal colleagues and other state and federal agency engineers, hydrologists, and biologists.

Provide support between the Project Manager and crew leads in the coordination of projects.

Assist oversight on all project activities and oversee the crews work, ensuring compliance with federal and state laws and rules.

Assist with efficient and effective coordination and accomplishment of the planning, development, budgeting, and ordering equipment and gear for projects with Yakama Nation bookkeepers.

Provide day-to-day project tracking and communication with Project Manager.

Utilize software to generate reports and documents on projects and funding.

Communicate any changes and provide regular updates to Project Manager.

Track, update, forecast, and modify the project schedules and budget.

Review and track all invoices, reimbursement requests, and payments to all contractors and vendors.

Interaction with private landowners and representatives of resource agencies to promote and coordinate habitat restoration and protection of strategies.

Assist with field work when crews need assistance on projects.

Drive to project sites and occasional night shift assistance.

Ability to multi-task on several different activities.

Perform all other job-related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of life histories of anadromous and resident fishes in the Pacific Northwest.

Knowledge of federal natural resource management policies and law (e.g., Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Code of Federal Regulations, etc.). Knowledge of state, tribal and local government permitting requirements.

Understand and ability to read plans and specifications.

Ability to make effective oral and written presentations to non-technical audiences.

Ability to utilize software (data base, spreadsheets, word processing) to generate reports and documents on projects.

Knowledge and demonstrated expertise in the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to assess

water source, mapping, and spatial data management.

Sensitivity to Tribal culture and values and ability to bring together individuals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.

Demonstrated expertise to handle difficult private and public situations with firmness, tact, and courtesy.

Ability to travel and work outdoors under various weather conditions and perform physical labor.

Ability to drive with a boat trailer and navigate class II whitewater rapids by jetboat, raft, or canoe.

Good organizational skills and problem-solving abilities.

Minimum Requirements:

Minimum of six years of fisheries, civil engineering, water resources, or accounting professional work experience.

One year demonstrated experience as a team member on construction projects or multi-objective investigations related to fish passage, fish habitat, or water resources projects. Experience in these roles must have included project management activities such as developing scopes, schedules, estimates, budgets, as well as tracking and reporting throughout the project lifecycle. Preference will be given to candidates whose experience includes working in complex interdisciplinary settings.

A Bachelor's Degree with a major in Civil Engineering, Hydrology, Fisheries Science, or closely related field may be substituted for four years of professional work experience.

Must be physically able to work in remote areas under a wide range of weather conditions.

Required to pass pre-employment background check.

Must possess a valid Washington State Driver's License with the ability to obtain a Yakama Nation Driving permit.

Required to pass a pre-employment drug test.

Preferred Requirements:

Enrolled Yakama Preference, but all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.