Herring River Restoration Project, Wellfleet/Truro, Massachusetts
Position Opening – Senior Project Manager
PROJECT SUMMARY
The Herring River is the largest river system within the Cape Cod National Seashore and
one of the largest tidally restricted estuaries in New England. The estuary is located in
the towns of Wellfleet and Truro, adjacent to Wellfleet Harbor and Cape Cod Bay. In its
historic natural state, the river supported a vibrant estuarine ecosystem and the largest
diadromous fish run on outer Cape Cod. Construction of a dike at the mouth of the river
in 1909 and other alterations to the river’s natural hydrology eliminated tidal flow to the
salt marsh, drained the wetlands and transformed the estuary into one of the Cape’s most
degraded natural resources.
Recent research has demonstrated the viability and importance of restoring tidal influence
to the estuary by replacing the existing tide gate structure at the mouth of the Herring
River and modifying other upstream crossings while addressing low-lying infrastructure
and property. Hydrologic modeling and ecological analyses show that these actions will
restore tidal hydrology and salinity to the majority of the historic estuary and provide
significant ecological and social benefits.
In 2007 the Towns of Wellfleet and Truro and the Cape Cod National Seashore (CCNS)
signed a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate on the development of a detailed
restoration plan for Herring River. The Memorandum of Understanding also established
the Herring River Restoration Committee (HRRC) and charged it with developing a
detailed restoration plan and conducting the necessary scientific and environmental
studies to comply with the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
and the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA). HRRC consists of members
from the two towns and CCNS and federal and state partner agencies. In October 2012,
the HRRC released the draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact
Report. The final EIS/EIR is scheduled to be completed in 2014 with a Record to
Decision to follow that will then allow the project to move forward with engineering,
design and permitting. A third MOU among the project partners is being developed to
guide implementation of the Project through the engineering, design, permitting,
construction and adaptive management phases.
The Friends of Herring River (FHR) has received several grant awards to provide
engineering design and other assistance to the Restoration Project. FHR is seeking to
contract with a Senior Project Manager to oversee the implementation of the next phase
of the Restoration Project.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Friends of Herring River, Wellfleet/Truro, MA announces the position of “ Senior Project
Manager.” This contract position is intended to provide technical and project
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management oversight in cooperation with the Herring River Restoration Committee.
The functions of the Senior Project Manager include, but are not limited to the
following:
- Coordinate and maintain communication between FHR, the HRRC and other local,
state, and federal partners to ensure project goals are clear and objectives are met,
including regular attendance at meetings of the Herring River Executive Council, the
Friends of Herring River Board and HRRC.
- Key project management responsibilities include:
 Develop, update, and oversee implementation of project management work plans
 Write RFRs and bid requests, prepare bid review criteria, serve on
selection committees, prepare scopes of work for technical services and
construction contracts.
 Negotiate and clarify work with consultants and respond to questions.
 Oversee and direct work of engineering and other consultants, manage vendor
performance, and ensure quality deliverables.
 Plan and oversee performance of fieldwork, including monitoring of ecological
parameters, collection of hydrologic data, and inspection of construction work.
 Oversee and provide QA/QC for the preparation of permit applications and other
regulatory filings, attend site visits, meetings, and public hearings, work with
agencies to track and ensure compliance with required public notice and review
periods, and facilitate regulatory and other interagency coordination.
 Organize and lead technical advisory committee meetings and planni ng
meetings.
 Obtain f undi ng assi stance though grant applicat ions.
 Ensure proper construction management and oversight.
 Oversee the development and implementation of project monitoring plans and
research, including the project’s Adaptive Management Plan.
 Supervise outreach and coordination with affected landowners, development
of impact mitigation measures and agreements, and other public outreach
activities.
- Maintain project files and provide status reports as needed.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must have at least five years of professional experience in environmental
project management.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Class D
Motor Vehicle Operator's License. Work will require frequent travel to project sites and
attendance at meetings – a vehicle will not be provided.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
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1. A masters degree in environmental science, engineering, ecology, natural resources, or
a related field with five or more years of professional experience in wetland, river and/or
other aquatic habitat restoration, wetland and river ecology, and hydrology.
2. Extensive aquatic habitat restoration field experience and ability to
identify aquatic habitat stressors and restoration treatments.
3. Experience in aquatic habitat monitoring and data collection, analysis,
and reporting for parameters in freshwater and coastal environments,
including vegetation, water chemistry, nekton, and hydrology.
4. Experience identifying, assessing, and implementing complex aquatic
habitat restoration projects with infrastructure components or constraints
such as roads, bridges, culverts, utilities, and buildings
5. Experience developing project plans, coordinating project teams,
preparing and managing budgets, developing public support, preparing scopes
of work, and managing consultant contracts.
6. Experience complying with regulations, coordinating interagency
activities and deliberations, managing construction, and facilitating public
outreach & education.
7. Solid knowledge and work experience with environmental permitting at
local, state, and federal levels.
8. Environmental planning experience, including collection, synthesis, and
evaluation of planning data such as historic maps and remotely sensed
imagery and LiDAR data.
9. Experience interpreting, reviewing, and commenting on hydrologic and
hydraulic calculations and models, and engineering designs and
specifications, including elements such as elevations and datums, resource
delineations, geotechnical analysis, dewatering, erosion controls,
construction staging and sequencing, and overall best management practices.
10. Experience and full competency with MS Office, including Access and
Excel. Excellent all-around computer skills including data management and
use of GIS software (ArcMap 10.x) as well as GPS hardware and software and
statistical analysis software.
11. Ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment on
multiple tasks with varying deadlines. Ability to work independently and
with self-initiative, and to exercise sound judgment and discretion.
12. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
13. Must be a team player with strong interpersonal skills and a proven
ability to motivate and persuade others, effectively manage controversy, and
forge and maintain partnerships.
14. Knowledge of social, economic, legal, technological and scientific
factors, trends and problems associated with planning and implementing
aquatic habitat restoration activities.
15. Ability to effectively and strategically manage large and complex
projects, direct and coordinate work of project teams, and make management
and budgetary decisions
16. Proven ability to write successful funding proposals and administer
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multiple funding sources
17. Exceptional troubleshooting and problem solving skills
18. Ability to travel and to participate in evening and weekend site visits and meetings.
POSITION STRUCTURE
The Senior Project Manager is a contract position. A workspace will be provided
under this contract at the Friends of Herring River office in Wellfleet. The
successful applicant is expected to attend regularly scheduled Herring River
Restoration Committee meetings in Wellfleet at least once a month, Friends of
Herring River Board meetings quarterly and participate in other meetings and
activities in the community estimated on average to be two to three additional days
per week. Travel beyond Cape Cod is not expected on a regular basis.
Currently the position is grant funded for one year. The grant is committed to
June 30, 2015, with an anticipation of additional years of funding to follow.
Compensation will be commensurate with experience, and does not include benefits.
Questions may be addressed to admin@friendsofherringriver.org
We will receive applications up to November 5, 2014.
Please send a cover letter, resume, and a list of three references with contact information
to: admin@friendsofherringriver.org. Please use Senior Project Manager in the
subject line of your email message.
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