Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Dune Restoration Specialist

🎯 Role Definition

A Dune Restoration Specialist leads and executes coastal dune restoration projects from concept through monitoring and long-term maintenance. This role oversees site assessments, develops restoration prescriptions, executes planting and erosion control measures, coordinates with permitting agencies and partners, supervises field crews and volunteers, conducts biological monitoring (plant survival, dune accretion, wildlife use), documents results for funders and regulators, and refines restoration actions using adaptive management. The ideal candidate is experienced in coastal ecology, native propagation, invasive species control, and the practical logistics of field restoration, with strong communication and project management skills.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Restoration Technician / Field Technician (coastal or terrestrial)
Environmental Technician or Field Ecologist
Volunteer or seasonal crew leader with coastal restoration experience

Advancement To:

Senior Restoration Specialist / Project Lead
Coastal Resilience or Habitat Restoration Manager
Restoration Program Coordinator or Regional Ecologist

Lateral Moves:

Coastal Resilience Planner
Native Plant Propagation Specialist
Permitting and Compliance Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead site assessments for coastal dune systems, conducting geomorphological and vegetation surveys to develop site-specific dune restoration plans that increase shoreline stability and native habitat function.
Prepare detailed restoration prescriptions including planting plans, species lists, seed-mix formulas, erosion-control techniques, fencing/boardwalk placement, and maintenance schedules that align with coastal resiliency objectives.
Coordinate and manage permitting and regulatory compliance for dune restoration projects, including consultations and filings related to the Clean Water Act (CWA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), state coastal zone permits, local shoreland ordinances, and programmatic agreements.
Design and implement invasive species management programs for dune habitats, utilizing mechanical removal, targeted herbicide application (with appropriate licenses), and integrated pest management approaches to protect native vegetation.
Oversee the procurement, propagation, collection, and storage of native dune plant materials and seed, including coordination with nurseries, seed vendors, and in-house propagation facilities to ensure plant stock meets restoration specifications.
Manage and supervise field crews, contractors, and subcontractors during restoration installation, ensuring work meets technical specifications, is completed safely, and remains on schedule and within budget.
Plan and execute large-scale planting operations including layout, staking, irrigation setup (when required), planting technique training, and quality-control checks to maximize survival and long-term establishment of native dune species.
Implement erosion control and dune stabilization techniques such as sand fencing, coir logs, brush layering, geotextiles, and temporary protective measures, adapting methods to site-specific conditions and permitting requirements.
Develop and maintain GIS maps, GPS data layers, and georeferenced documentation of restoration activities, photopoints, transects, and monitoring stations using ArcGIS, QGIS, Trimble, or comparable tools.
Design and implement robust monitoring programs to evaluate restoration performance—track survival rates, vegetation cover, dune morphology changes, sediment accretion, and wildlife usage—using standardized transects, quadrats, photopoints, and data collection protocols.
Analyze monitoring data and prepare technical reports, adaptive management recommendations, and clear graphical summaries for funders, partners, and regulatory agencies to demonstrate project outcomes and inform future actions.
Serve as primary point of contact for community outreach, leading volunteer events, public tours, interpretive signage coordination, and stakeholder meetings to build public support and stewardship for dune restoration initiatives.
Prepare and manage budgets, work scopes, and schedules for restoration projects; track expenditures, create purchase orders, and coordinate with finance and grants staff for reporting and invoicing.
Write and contribute to grant proposals, funding applications, and progress reports that clearly articulate project needs, methods, anticipated outcomes, and metrics for success.
Monitor and implement wildlife protection measures during sensitive periods (e.g., shorebird and turtle nesting seasons), coordinate seasonal access restrictions, and collaborate with wildlife biologists and permit holders to prevent disturbance.
Provide training and mentorship for staff and volunteers in safe field practices, invasive plant identification/removal, native plant installation, species identification, and restoration monitoring techniques.
Operate, oversee, or coordinate the use of light equipment and machinery (e.g., utility ATVs, trenchers, small excavators, bobcats, and brush cutters) in compliance with safety protocols and operator certifications.
Maintain accurate field records, daily logs, incident reports, and GPS-track documentation to support contract compliance and organizational recordkeeping.
Coordinate logistics for multi-site restoration efforts, including staging, transportation of materials and crews, site access planning, tide-scheduling, and wildlife safety coordination to ensure safe and efficient field operations.
Collaborate with coastal engineers, geomorphologists, and sea-level rise specialists to integrate living shoreline techniques and nature-based solutions into dune restoration planning for long-term coastal resilience.
Supervise and manage contractor scopes of work, perform quality assurance inspections on contracted installations, and negotiate corrective actions when deliverables do not meet restoration specifications.
Adapt restoration techniques through iterative testing and on-site trials (e.g., different planting densities, dune grass mixes, sand nourishment approaches) and document outcomes for best-practice development.
Ensure all field operations comply with organizational safety policies and federal/state regulations; maintain safety data sheets (SDS), PPE inventories, and ensure staff certifications (First Aid/CPR, OSHA 10 or 30, pesticide applicator licenses) are current.
Act as liaison with municipal, state, tribal, and federal partners to align dune restoration activities with broader coastal zone management plans, climate adaptation strategies, and community resilience initiatives.

Secondary Functions

Support the development of outreach materials, interpretive signs, website content, and social media updates that highlight dune restoration results and community engagement opportunities.
Assist in scheduling and coordinating volunteer events and community science programs, including recruitment, training, and recognition activities to maximize participation and stewardship.
Contribute to data management best practices by maintaining centralized databases (spreadsheets, GIS layers, cloud repositories) and ensuring monitoring datasets are standardized and accessible to partners.
Participate in interdisciplinary planning meetings, grant review committees, and cross-program collaborations to integrate dune restoration into larger watershed and coastal resilience projects.
Provide technical input to land managers, municipal planners, and recreation managers on balancing public access with dune protection and seasonal wildlife restrictions.
Help prepare public-facing summaries and visualizations of monitoring data for newsletters, reports to funders, and presentations to local governing bodies.
Serve as an on-call resource for emergency post-storm assessments and rapid-response dune repair efforts following storm events or erosion incidents.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

In-depth knowledge of coastal dune ecology, native dune plant communities, and best-practice restoration techniques for dune stabilization and habitat restoration.
Field surveying and monitoring skills including use of transects, quadrats, photopoint protocols, sediment elevation tables (SETs), and baseline/topographic mapping.
Proficient with GIS and GPS tools (ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, Trimble GPS) for mapping project areas, producing restoration maps, and maintaining spatial data.
Experience with native plant propagation, seed collection, seed cleaning/processing, and coordination with nurseries to source appropriate dune species and provenances.
Demonstrated competence in invasive species identification and control, including safe and effective mechanical removal techniques and licensed herbicide application where permitted.
Familiarity with coastal engineering concepts, living shorelines, bioengineering techniques, and sand nourishment methods used to enhance dune resilience.
Strong written skills to draft technical restoration plans, monitoring protocols, permit applications, grant proposals, and compliance reports.
Practical skills in operating and supervising light construction equipment and hand tools used in restoration projects (ATVs, small excavators, post drivers, brush cutters) with appropriate certifications.
Knowledge of federal, state, and local permitting requirements relevant to coastal restoration projects (e.g., Army Corps, state coastal commissions) and experience coordinating compliance.
Data management and basic data analysis skills (Excel, R, or Python basics) to summarize monitoring results, generate performance metrics, and create visualizations for stakeholders.
Experience in contractor oversight, procurement processes, and budget tracking for restoration projects.
Certification or training in First Aid/CPR, OSHA 10/30, and Pesticide Applicator License (or the ability to obtain) are highly desirable.

Soft Skills

Strong project management skills: ability to prioritize multiple sites and tasks, manage timelines, and deliver projects on schedule and within budget.
Excellent communication skills — able to translate technical science into accessible language for community meetings, volunteers, funders, and regulators.
Proven leadership and crew supervision skills; comfortable training and motivating seasonal staff and volunteers in physically demanding outdoor work.
Collaborative team player with experience partnering with government agencies, NGOs, tribal groups, municipalities, and contractors.
Problem-solving and adaptive-management mindset — uses monitoring data to iterate and improve restoration methods.
High level of physical stamina and ability to work in harsh coastal conditions (wind, sun, sand, tides) and remote field sites.
Attention to detail for accurate data collection, safety compliance, and documentation required for permits and funders.
Cultural sensitivity and commitment to inclusive engagement practices when working with diverse communities and stakeholders.
Time management and organizational skills for handling logistics, materials ordering, and responding to changing field conditions.
Resilience and calm decision-making during emergency or post-storm response situations.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Coastal Management, Natural Resource Management, Marine Biology, or a related field.

Preferred Education:

Master’s degree in Coastal Ecology, Restoration Ecology, Environmental Science, or related discipline is preferred for senior roles or complex project leadership.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Coastal Ecology
Restoration Ecology
Environmental Science / Natural Resources
Marine Biology
Geography / GIS

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2–5 years of progressively responsible experience in coastal restoration, dune systems, or similar habitat restoration fields.

Preferred:

3–7+ years of on-the-ground dune restoration and project management experience, including experience with permitting, contractor management, grant-funded projects, and community engagement.