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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Wetland Program Manager

💰 $75,000 - $110,000

Natural ResourcesWetlandsEnvironmental ManagementConservation

🎯 Role Definition

The Wetland Program Manager leads the design, implementation, and evaluation of wetland conservation, restoration, permitting, and monitoring initiatives. This role combines technical wetland science (delineation, assessment, monitoring), regulatory and permitting oversight (Clean Water Act Section 404, state wetland statutes), program and grant management, stakeholder coordination, and strategic planning to protect and enhance wetland resources. The ideal candidate brings a balance of field experience, regulatory knowledge, habitat restoration expertise, and proven ability to deliver multi-year programs within public or non-profit organizations.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Wetland Specialist / Wetland Scientist (field-level)
  • Environmental Planner or Regulatory Specialist
  • Restoration Project Lead or Biologist

Advancement To:

  • Director of Natural Resources / Director of Conservation
  • Regional Environmental Program Manager
  • Senior Wetland Policy Advisor or State Wetland Coordinator

Lateral Moves:

  • Watershed Program Manager
  • Habitat Restoration Program Manager
  • Environmental Compliance Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of a multi-year wetland program that integrates protection, restoration, mitigation, monitoring, and outreach to meet state and federal conservation goals and regulatory requirements.
  • Oversee field-based wetland delineations, applying regional and federal protocols (e.g., Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual and regional supplements) to determine jurisdictional boundaries and document findings for permitting and project planning.
  • Manage and coordinate wetland permit review and consultation processes under the Clean Water Act (Section 404/401), state wetland laws, and related environmental regulations to ensure compliance and timely decision-making.
  • Design, implement, and supervise wetland monitoring programs, including establishment of baseline conditions, development of monitoring protocols, collection and QA/QC of ecological data, and analysis of long-term trends in hydrology, vegetation, and soils.
  • Prepare, administer, and manage federal, state, and private grants and contracts (including budgets, scopes of work, deliverables, and reporting) to secure program funding and ensure successful, compliant project execution.
  • Plan, design, and supervise wetland restoration and enhancement projects—from feasibility and design through permitting, construction oversight, and post-construction monitoring—to achieve habitat, water quality, and ecosystem service objectives.
  • Coordinate mitigation planning and implementation, including development and oversight of mitigation banks, in-lieu fee programs, and permittee-responsible mitigation projects to meet regulatory requirements and ecological goals.
  • Lead development of programmatic guidance, technical manuals, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and data standards for wetland delineation, assessment, restoration, and monitoring to ensure consistency and defensibility.
  • Serve as the primary technical contact for stakeholders—including property owners, developers, federal and state agencies, tribes, NGOs, and local governments—providing clear guidance on wetland policy, permitting, and best practices.
  • Supervise, mentor, and evaluate a multidisciplinary team of wetland scientists, technicians, GIS analysts, and contractors; manage staff assignments, training plans, and performance objectives to build capacity and deliver program outcomes.
  • Develop and implement public outreach, education, and partnership strategies (workshops, training sessions, technical assistance) to increase stakeholder understanding of wetland functions, regulatory requirements, and restoration opportunities.
  • Lead interagency coordination and collaborative planning efforts for wetland conservation across jurisdictional boundaries, representing the organization in regional working groups, technical advisory committees, and permit coordination teams.
  • Oversee and coordinate Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping, remote sensing analysis, and database management for wetland inventories, site selection, change detection, permit tracking, and spatial reporting.
  • Prepare high-quality technical reports, environmental assessments, permit applications, funding proposals, and public-facing materials that clearly communicate complex scientific and regulatory information to diverse audiences.
  • Ensure program compliance with NEPA, state environmental policy acts, and other applicable environmental review processes by coordinating environmental documents, scoping, and public comment responses.
  • Develop and monitor program budgets, prepare financial forecasts, track expenditures, and ensure efficient use of funds and compliance with grant/contract requirements and procurement policies.
  • Implement adaptive management processes for restoration and monitoring projects, analyzing outcomes, documenting lessons learned, and adjusting practices to improve ecological success and cost-effectiveness.
  • Lead or support ecological risk assessments and cumulative impact analyses for proposed projects affecting wetland systems, synthesizing scientific data to inform permitting decisions and conservation priorities.
  • Manage contractor selection, scopes of work, and contractor performance for engineering, restoration construction, and monitoring services, ensuring deliverables meet technical and regulatory standards.
  • Design and implement data management systems and QA/QC procedures to maintain reliable, accessible records of delineations, monitoring data, permit decisions, and project outcomes to support transparency and adaptive management.
  • Advocate for wetland protection and restoration in policy development and planning processes, drafting recommendations, participating in legislative or regulatory reviews, and integrating program priorities into broader conservation strategies.
  • Develop metrics, key performance indicators (KPIs), and reporting dashboards to evaluate program effectiveness, inform leadership, and communicate impacts to funders and stakeholders.
  • Respond to regulatory questions, site assessments, and enforcement referrals; coordinate technical reviews and field visits to resolve compliance issues and recommend remediation or restoration actions as needed.
  • Integrate climate resilience and nature-based solutions into wetland planning and restoration projects to increase long-term habitat durability, flood attenuation, and carbon sequestration.
  • Maintain professional credentials, stay current with peer-reviewed research, and incorporate innovations in wetland science and restoration methods into program practice.

Secondary Functions

  • Provide technical assistance and training to internal teams and external partners on wetland delineation, assessment methods (e.g., hydrogeomorphic approach), and best management practices for restoration and mitigation.
  • Support stakeholder engagement events, public workshops, and community science efforts to build local capacity for wetland stewardship and reporting.
  • Contribute to internal strategic planning and cross-program initiatives that link wetland outcomes to watershed management, water quality, and biodiversity conservation targets.
  • Maintain and update online resources and data portals with current wetland maps, monitoring results, and educational materials to support transparency and public access.
  • Assist in developing proposals and concept notes for new funding opportunities, partnerships, and pilot projects aimed at innovative wetland solutions.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Wetland delineation and field assessment expertise (familiar with Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual and regional supplements)
  • Regulatory knowledge: Clean Water Act (Section 404/401), state wetland statutes, NEPA, and applicable environmental policy acts
  • Wetland restoration design and construction oversight, including hydrogeomorphic and ecological design principles
  • Mitigation planning and management (mitigation banks, in-lieu fee programs, permittee-responsible mitigation)
  • Monitoring design and statistical analysis of ecological monitoring data (vegetation, hydrology, soils)
  • GIS and remote sensing: ArcGIS, spatial analysis, wetland mapping, geodatabase management
  • Grant writing, contract management, and federal/state fund administration (budgeting, reporting, compliance)
  • Data management and QA/QC: relational databases, data standards, and documentation for environmental datasets
  • Environmental permitting and compliance review, including preparation of permit documents and technical reports
  • Project management: work planning, scheduling, risk management, and outcome-based performance measurement
  • Restoration contracting and construction oversight, including specifications, RFPs, and bid evaluations
  • Familiarity with climate resilience, green infrastructure, and nature-based solutions for wetland systems

Soft Skills

  • Strong written and verbal communication—able to translate technical science into accessible guidance for stakeholders, regulators, and the public
  • Leadership and team management—experience supervising multidisciplinary teams and mentoring staff
  • Stakeholder facilitation and negotiation—ability to convene diverse interests and reach consensus on complex issues
  • Strategic thinking—capable of developing long-term program goals and aligning tactical work to measurable outcomes
  • Problem-solving and adaptive management—able to use data to iterate on designs and policies for improved ecological results
  • Attention to detail and quality assurance in field work, reporting, and regulatory compliance
  • Time management and prioritization—skilled at managing multiple projects and deadlines in a dynamic environment
  • Cultural competency and community engagement—experience working respectfully with tribes, landowners, and underserved communities

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Wetland Science, Biology, Natural Resources Management, or a closely related field.

Preferred Education:
Master’s degree (M.S. or M.P.S.) in Wetland Science, Ecology, Environmental Management, Environmental Policy, or a related discipline that emphasizes applied conservation and ecosystem restoration.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Wetland Ecology
  • Hydrology and Hydrogeomorphology
  • Environmental Science and Policy
  • Biology / Ecology
  • Natural Resources Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:
5–10 years of progressively responsible experience in wetland science, permitting, restoration, or related natural resource programs. At least 2–4 years of supervisory or project management experience is commonly preferred.

Preferred:
7+ years of experience including direct field delineation and monitoring, demonstrated success managing multi-year grants and budgets, and experience navigating federal/state regulatory frameworks (Clean Water Act, NEPA). Prior work with mitigation banks, restoration design-build projects, and community or interagency partnership development is highly valued.

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