BTNEP Director

Location

Chauvin, LA | United States

Job description

DIRECTOR OF THE BARATARIA-TERREBONNE NATIONAL ESTUARY PROGRAM

Review of applications will commence immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Go directly to the application.

The Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program (BTNEP) is a non-regulatory program of the U. S.
Environmental Protection Agency and is an affiliate of Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium
(LUMCON). It is one of 28 programs around the country working to safeguard and improve the health of
some of the nation’s most important coastal waters. The official mission of BTNEP is to preserve and
restore the Barataria-Terrebonne Estuary System (BTES), the 4.2 million-acre region between the
Atchafalaya and Mississippi Rivers.

BTNEP has worked to promote the wise stewardship of Louisiana’s estuaries and coast for more than a
quarter century. To achieve this, BTNEP brings together community members, government agencies,
businesses, nonprofits, academics, and other key partners to develop and implement a Comprehensive
Coastal Management Plan (CCMP), which is a scientific blueprint or long-term plan prescribing specific
actions to address water quality, living resources, invasive species, and community resilience challenges
of the BTES. BTNEP is guided by a Management Conference (MC) consisting of hundreds of local leaders
and stakeholders. BTNEP strives to restore and protect the estuary for future generations through the
collaborative decision making process of the BTNEP MC to implement a science-based, stakeholder-led,
consensus-driven plan using partnerships focused on the estuary’s rich cultural, economic, and natural
resources. From large-scale watershed water quality monitoring to coastal restoration plantings,, citizen
input, local capacity building, invasive species management, scientific monitoring, pollution prevention
and reduction, and citizen education—BTNEP focuses on protecting what people value about living on
the Louisiana coast: access; shorelines; fish and wildlife; heritage and culture; education; ecosystem
resilience, and water quality.

POSITION OVERVIEW

BTNEP is now seeking a Director. BTNEP is an affiliate of Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium
(LUMCON) thus the BTNEP Director reports to the Executive Director and Chief Scientist of LUMCON.
The Director also reports to the BTNEP Management Conference and works directly with the staff of the
U.S. EPA as the National Estuary Program is a non-regulatory program of the federal agency. The
Director is responsible for the successful leadership and management of BTNEP according to the
strategic direction set by the Management Conference. The Director has three primary responsibilities:

1. Maintain and elevate BTNEP to a position of importance throughout the BTES, the state, and
regionally among Gulf Coast states through leadership of the BTNEP staff and programs in
coordination with its Management Conference, resulting in increased commitment to and
investment in coastal management activities
2. Oversee the creation, implementation and updating of the CCMP by directing program office
activities and Management Conference engagement
3. Oversee and direct the financial, grants and programmatic management of the program to ensure
the work of BTNEP is undertaken in a timely manner, is science-based, and is achieved with
adequate human and financial resources

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in Environmental Science or other relevant field of study
• 10 years of technical or professional experience in environmental science, land-use planning,
  environmental engineering, policy analysis, public/business administration, natural resource
  management, or related field of which five years must have been in a supervisory, managerial, or
  administrative capacity
• knowledge of environmental science and policy, planning, and project management
• ability to work collaboratively in addition to providing strong leadership and vision
• ability to communicate with diverse groups of local, state, federal and private agencies, NEPs, and
  individual stakeholders
• ability to read, analyze, and interpret, develop and synthesize common scientific and technical
  articles, financial reports, and legal documents
• experience in state agency, public higher education, and/or federal agency is preferred

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with community groups, elected officials, private
  industry and other NEPs to help achieve the goals and increase support of the BTNEP
• Expand resources for the program through fundraising and solicitation of grants from public and
  private sources
• Build the integrity and credibility of the program through regional and local presentations,
  community relations, media exposure and other external activities
• Participate in regional and national efforts to coordinate action on environmental issues affecting
  the Gulf of Mexico and the BTES
• Facilitate the development of a vision and strategic plan to guide CCMP development,
  implementation, and updates
• Lead relations with EPA, other federal and state agencies, and other program supporters
• Direct and oversee the administration of grant funding including extensive reporting to EPA and
  other funding entities
• Develop a long-term finance strategy for BTNEP including how to solidify investments among local
  and State government
• Ensure that the programs and services offered by BTNEP contribute to BTNEP’s mission and reflect
  the priorities of the Management Conference
• Monitor the day-to-day delivery of BTNEP programs and services to maintain or improve quality
• Develop measures of success and oversee tracking and reporting of program results and outcomes
• Recruit, interview, and select staff who have the right technical and personal abilities to help
  further BTNEP’s mission
• Ensure that the operation of BTNEP meets the expectations of its citizens, Management
  Conference, EPA, and program supporters

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants must apply at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/louisiana/jobs/4395021
The application must include 1) a cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications to lead
BTNEP with a brief overview for vision for the agency, 2) resume / curriculum vitae, 3) transcripts, and 4)
contact information for three references.

DEADLINE: Review of applications will begin on March 4th and continue until the position is filled.
LUMCON offers state benefits and is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer that actively
seeks diversity among its employees.

Board of Regents is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) agency that supports the recruitment, hiring and retention of individuals with disabilities. For more information on employment resources for individuals with disabilities, see the Louisiana Employment Resources Guide.

Board of Regents is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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