Natural Resource Project Manager

Natural Resource Project Manager

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources protects, enhances, preserves, and wisely uses natural, cultural, and recreational resources for the benefit of Indiana's citizens through professional leadership, management, and education.

The Natural Resource Damages (NRD) Project Coordinator oversees the strategic planning, design, and execution of large-scale habitat restoration initiatives across the Hoosier state, including the management of NRD settlement funds. This position is responsible for managing multi-million-dollar budgets, navigating complex state and federal environmental compliance laws, and leading interdisciplinary teams of biologist, ecologists, and contractors to recover critical fish and wildlife habitats.

The NRD Project Coordinator is expected at minimum to:

• Manage NRD settlement funds and ensures all expenditures directly align with approved restoration plans.
• Serve as the primary liaison between trustees, responsible parties, agencies, and partners.
• Develop, implement, and monitor large scale environmental restoration project plans and land acquisitions.
• Manage project funding, tracks expenditures, and oversees contractor performance.
• Coordinate Natural Resource Damage Assessments by identifying resource injuries, analyzing ecological and economic impacts, and preparing the technical documentation needed to support trustee claims.
• Support the settlement process by developing restoration focused compensation proposals, coordinating with responsible parties, and ensuring agreements meet regulatory and statutory requirements.
• Seek grant funding opportunities for supporting restoration work statewide.
• Design and guide initiatives that support ecosystem resilience, biodiversity, and long‑term environmental wellbeing.
• Oversee data collection on wildlife, habitat conditions, water quality, contaminants, invasive species, and other ecological indicators.

Salary:
The salary for this position traditionally starts at $67,314.00 but may be commensurate with education and work experience.

A Day in the Life:
The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Oversee or design project scope for the development of design, bidding, and construction as well as coordination of permits and grants as required.
• Provide leadership and expertise for project planning and management through budget planning, federal grant preparation and reporting, and regulatory compliance.
• Perform technical reviews of engineering submittals, construction documents, and project scope development.
• Administer contracts with professional consultants and contractors, overseeing project progress and financials.
• Perform critical review of plans and specifications to minimize non-compliance of a project.
• Responsible for long-term project planning and related budgetary issues with preparation of Capital Project Requests and submission to the State Budget Agency and monitoring unspent project balances.
• Utilize applications such as AutoCAD or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Department databases to produce documents and to gather data and information related to site layouts and project development.
• Research grant opportunities, prepare grant applications, prepare and submit required grant reports, track expenditures, and coordinate with the Department's Grant and Finance Division.
• Reviews and updates Emergency Action Plans for the Department's high-hazard dams.
• Manage projects for the Institutional Road Program.
• Provide planning and logistical coordination as needed for DNR wide initiatives or events; most notably in support of the DNR's annual presence and outreach at the Natural Resources Building at the Indiana State Fair.
• Respond to requests from other divisions and agencies regarding compliance…