Restoration Monitoring Specialist

The position's primary responsibilities are planning, contracting, coordinating, reporting, and implementing various ecological monitoring for OMP restoration projects, including, but not limited to: geomorphological surveys, vegetation assessments, fish and macroinvertebrate sampling, wetland delineations, and hydrological monitoring for stream, wetland, and riparian buffer habitats. The OMP Restoration Monitoring Specialist works within The Nature Conservancy's Ohio Stream and Wetland Mitigation Program (OMP) which utilizes mitigation funds to locate and develop restoration projects in the state of Ohio that maximize success and conservation outcomes for the State's dynamic watersheds.

Your Position with TNC :

The OMP Restoration Monitoring Specialist works within The Nature Conservancy's Ohio Stream and Wetland Mitigation Program (OMP) which utilizes mitigation funds to locate and develop restoration projects in the state of Ohio that maximize success and conservation outcomes for the State's dynamic watersheds. The Restoration Monitoring Specialist coordinates and conducts ecological monitoring for numerous OMP restoration projects across the state of Ohio. They will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, celebrates innovation, values collaborative approaches, and seeks lasting conservation results.

Essential Functions:
The position's primary responsibilities are planning, contracting, coordinating, reporting, and implementing various ecological monitoring for OMP restoration projects, including, but not limited to: geomorphological surveys, vegetation assessments, fish and macroinvertebrate sampling, wetland delineations, and hydrological monitoring for stream, wetland, and riparian buffer habitats. The Restoration Monitoring Specialist works collaboratively with other OMP staff, TNC staff, staff from the US Army Corps of Engineers, Ohio EPA, Ohio Interagency Review Team and other organizations, and individuals as needed in carrying out duties.

Responsibilities & Scope:

• Lead implementation of ecological monitoring plans for OMP restoration projects across Ohio, in coordination with Restoration Ecologists who are responsible for project management and performance standards.

• Develop scopes of work, requests for bids, and contracts for monitoring services, including vegetation, hydrology, geomorphology, and other ecological metrics.

• Work withing monitoring budgets and support contractor selection, and contract negotiations to ensure high-quality, cost-effective services.

• Provide coordination, oversight, and quality assurance of contractors and consultants, ensuring adherence to approved methodologies, schedules, and data quality expectations.

• Perform regular site visits throughout Ohio to evaluate success and identify potential issues with OMP restoration projects.

• Collect piezometer data, troubleshoot data loggers, and collect photographs at project photo monitoring points.

• Analyze monitoring data and prepare monitoring reports in coordination with Restoration Ecologists who evaluate site performance against regulatory and programmatic success criteria.

• Conduct field-based ecological assessments, as capacity allows, to support project planning, compliance, and adaptive management.

• Apply a strong working knowledge of OMP operations, regulatory requirements, and performance standards to ensure monitoring efforts are aligned with project and program goals.

• Collaborate with Restoration Ecologists to identify and recommend adaptive management and corrective actions needed to achieve project objectives.
• Assist with limited restoration stewardship/adaptive management tasks such as spot spraying of invasives, supplemental planting, etc.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 3 years' experience in natural resource management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Technical writing experience.

• Experience completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).

• Experience with communication via written, spoken and graphical means in English.

• Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, web browsers, etc.

• Experience managing staff, volunteers, or contractors.

• Must have, or be able to obtain, valid driver's license.

Desired Qualifications (Examples)

• Knowledge of land management conservation practice and conservation science.

• Experience with contract preparation, contractor oversight, and contract and budget management

• Experience working within project budgets

• Experience in performing or interpreting, or a willingness to learn:

• stream geomorphological surveys cross-sections and longitudinal profiles

• stream biology surveys such as macroinvertebrate and fish sampling.

• wetland delineations

• vegetation assessments such as VIBI, and ability to identify Ohio's common flora and fauna

• Experience with