Senior Project Manager

JOB TITLE: Connectivity Campaign Manager (Matilija Senior Project Manager)

OFFICE LOCATION: Remote / Regional

FUNCTIONAL AREA: Legal & Government Affairs – Connectivity Program

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-time, Exempt

REPORTS TO: Charlie Schneider, Connectivity Program Manager

COMPENSATION: $80,000–$90,000, commensurate with experience

Position Summary: This role divides its time across California Trout’s dam removal and river connectivity work. Approximately 50% of time is dedicated to the Matilija Dam Removal effort, helping lead CalTrout’s role in the multi-partner coalition working to remove Matilija Dam and restore the Ventura River – including support for the Dam Removal Entity (DRE), coalition coordination, and progress toward the Pathway Agreement, Project Management Agreement, and permitting milestones. Approximately 20% of time supports the broader California River Connectivity Program, offering strategic advice across the Battle Creek, Potter Valley, Rindge Dam, Searsville Dam and other barrier removal efforts. The remaining time is split between strategic communications planning with CalTrout’s communications team (20%) and program administration (10%). This role sits within CalTrout’s Legal and Government Affairs team. This position reports to the River Connectivity Program Manager,

Roles & Responsibilities:

1. Dam Removal Entity (DRE) Formation:
   • Support formation of the manager-managed LLC Dam Removal Entity (DRE), including negotiating governance documents with coalition partners.
   • Track development of the Pathway Agreement and Project Management Agreement, ensuring milestones and target dates (e.g., September 30 deliverables) are met.
   • Prepare briefing materials and proposals for funders and public agency partners, including the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) and State Coastal Conservancy.
2. Dam Removal Project Execution:
   • Lead day-to-day coordination of Matilija Dam removal project activities, ensuring adherence to agreed timelines and deliverables.
     
3. Coalition Coordination:
   • Coordinate closely with coalition partners, including Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, Surfrider Foundation, and Patagonia/Holdfast Collective, on shared project workstreams.
   • Foster a collaborative, transparent working relationship among coalition members and technical advisors.
   • Identify and help resolve issues or points of disagreement that arise among coalition partners or public agencies.
   • Partner with Fix the World Consulting on tribal engagement related to Matilija Dam removal, ensuring meaningful and culturally appropriate consultation with impacted Tribal communities.
4. Engagement and Communication:
   • Build and maintain relationships with Ventura County decision-makers, CNRA, the State Coastal Conservancy, and other regulatory and funding agencies.
   • Communicate project progress, challenges, and milestones to interested parties through regular updates, reports, and presentations.
   • Represent California Trout at coalition meetings, public agency briefings, and community events, advocating for dam removal and river restoration.
5. California River Connectivity Program Strategic Support (20%):
   • Support ongoing development of CalTrout’s Dam’s Out Initiative, including program strategy and organizational structure.
   • Provide strategic advice and support and cross-project coordination on the Battle Creek, Potter Valley, Rindge Dam, and Searsville Dam removal efforts.
   • Share lessons learned and best practices from Matilija Dam removal work across other Program initiatives.
   • Partner with Fix the World Consulting on tribal engagement related to dam removal, ensuring meaningful and culturally appropriate consultation with impacted Tribal communities.

1. Communications Strategy Support (20%):
   • Partner with CalTrout’s communications team, specifically CalTrout’s Comms Director, on strategic planning for dam removal and river connectivity messaging.
   • Contribute to the development of communications materials, talking points, and public-facing content related to Program initiatives.
   • Lead and participate in partner, funder and other tours.
   • Support CalTrout’s communications team in maintaining a strategic PR calendar, increasing CalTrout’s ability to capitalize on timely media opportunities, beyond river connectivity program initiatives.
   • Provide strategic counsel during unexpected or high-profile communications moments.
   • Support the execution of targeted media outreach and storytelling campaigns.
   • Cultivate existing reporter relationships and build new ones as needed, acting as a liaison for those relationships between CalTrout’s communications team.
   • Engaging with CalTrout Comms Director on working with organization wide communications consultant
2. Administration (10%):
   • Complete administrative tasks supporting program operations, including scheduling, correspondence, and internal reporting.
   • Support budget tracking and expense processing as needed.
     
   • Support grant applications and reporting.

Requirements & Qualifications:

• Proven experience in project management, preferably on large-scale infrastructure removal, restoration, or environmental conservation projects.
• Strong coalition-building skills, with the ability to work effectively across nonprofit, agency, and private-sector partners.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving abilities, with a keen attention to detail.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and collaborate with public agencies and communities.
• Proficiency in project management software and tools.
• Knowledge of CEQA, dam removal or river restoration processes, and grant management is highly desirable.
• Passion for river restoration and commitment to California Trout’s mission.

Physical Demands

1. Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
2. Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times.
3. Ability to operate a motor vehicle to commute to/from the Ventura River watershed and other remote work sites.
4. Ability to occasionally tolerate uncomfortable outdoor working conditions (rain, cold temperatures, hot sun) and navigate uneven terrain.

Benefits: California Trout offers competitive compensation commensurate with experience; health benefits (medical, dental, and vision), retirement plan with matching, generous holidays, PTO benefits, and sabbatical leave.

California Trout (CalTrout) is a highly recognized and effective 501(c)3 conservation organization headquartered in San Francisco. For over 50 years, CalTrout has championed a remarkable number of initiatives focused on solving complex resource issues that balance the needs of fish and people. CalTrout has six regionally based offices located in key geographies where wild fish influence local communities. Our professional staff drives innovative, science-based solutions that work for the diverse interests of fish, farms, commerce and the community. CalTrout is backed by a passionate Board of Directors, along with highly committed donors and a strong membership base.

Diversity:  CalTrout does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or any other applicable legally protected characteristics.

We’re passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Companies that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, and perspective are proven to be better companies. More importantly, creating an environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best work is the right thing to do.