New York Ecological Restoration Program Director

Join Us! We are seeking an entrepreneurial ecological restoration practitioner to join the Ecological Restoration team at Save the Sound. Would you like to restore shoreline habitat, reconnect rivers, and install green infrastructure? Are you an experienced project manager passionate about restoring our natural ecosystems? If so, you may be the ideal candidate to join our region’s pre-eminent environmental non-profit and expand our ecological restoration work throughout Westchester County and New York. 

Who We Are

Save the Sound leads environmental action in your region. We fight climate change, save endangered lands, protect the Sound and its rivers, and work with nature to restore ecosystems. We do this in many ways, from legislative advocacy and legal action to engineering, environmental monitoring, and hands‐ on volunteer efforts. For more than 50 years we’ve been ensuring people can enjoy the healthy, clean, and thriving environment they deserve—today and for generations to come. For more information on our mission and programs, visit www.savethesound.org.

The Ecological Restoration Team is a growing group of eight individuals who share a deep love and respect for the natural world and find joy in working with community members to identify and implement projects that restore the conditions for thriving ecosystems and diverse communities. With a wide array of lived experience and unique skills, the team is an open and curious group of professionals who support one another and are the staff members most likely to show up in the office covered in mud. The team is excited to welcome another New York-based member. 

The Position

The New York Ecological Restoration Program Director will lead the expansion of Save the Sound’s ecological restoration work in Westchester County, the Bronx, Queens, and Long Island, building on the organization’s existing relationships, reputation, and track record of completed projects. This individual will work with other members of leadership to craft and execute a strategy to expand the Ecological Restoration team’s physical, tangible, on-the-ground projects in Westchester County and New York. The New York Ecological Restoration Program Director will be responsible for developing a pipeline of restoration projects while supporting Project Manager(s) to ensure that active projects are progressing through planning, design and construction.

This position will be supervised by the Senior Director of Ecological Restoration and be based out of Save the Sound’s office in Larchmont, NY and will work closely with the rest of the Ecological Restoration Team, Water Quality Team and other programs.

1. PROJECT IDENTIFICATION & PLANNING
   
   
   
   1. Lead in the identification, assessment, and pursuit of project opportunities for the Ecological Restoration team in New Projects typically include, but are not limited to, coastal restoration and resiliency, river restoration through aquatic connectivity, watershed planning, green infrastructure, and environmental stewardship.
   
   
   2. In collaboration with the development team, identify and write grant proposals to fund new projects and assist with execution of the annual development plan to support meeting the annual organizational and program goals, such as drafting content for grant and private funding proposals and attending donor events.
   
   
   3. Research historical and current watershed-based work in the Long Island Sound watershed in New York, and develop relationships with watershed representatives within Westchester County, the Bronx, Queens and Nassau
   
   
   4. Work closely with Save the Sound’s Water Quality team to identify potential abatement of hotspots found by water quality monitoring
   
   
   5. Work with the members of leadership to prioritize projects with the highest ecological significance and/or highest environmental justice
   
   
   
   


2. PROJECT DESIGN & IMPLEMENTATION
   
   
   
   1. Manage highly complex projects and oversee NY’s applied ecological restoration work. Support NY project managers to lead the design and implementation of ecological restoration projects in New York, including (but not limited to) coastal resilience, aquatic connectivity (like dam removals and culvert right-sizing), watershed planning, and green
   
   
   2. Providing technical guidance and support to assist team members in procuring regulatory permits, overcoming obstacles, and addressing questions from the team as well as project partners, consultants, and contractors.
   
   
   3. Monitor trends and best practices in ecological restoration and seek opportunities to advocate for regional adoption of processes and best practices to streamline restoration implementation.
   
   
   4. Support other members of the Ecological Restoration team managing projects in New York to navigate relationships, permitting, and funder
   
   
   
   


3. MANAGEMENT OF NEW YORK ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION TEAM
   
   
   
   1. Provide senior management, guidance and mentoring to support NY project managers.
   
   
   2. Foster opportunities for the team to grow as restoration practitioners and build skillsets.
   
   
   
   


4. PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
   
   
   
   1. Develop and execute a strategy for ecological restoration work in New York to establish Save the Sound as the leading organization for restoration project
   
   
   2. Facilitate communication and collaboration between the Westchester and New Haven teams to develop synergies between restoration and water quality
   
   
   3. Build a comprehensive understanding of the scope of the Ecological Restoration team’s work, how it advances organizational vision and mission, and the processes by which projects are selected, planned, designed, and
   
   
   4. Periodically assist as an ecological restoration technical expert for policy and advocacy efforts;
   
   
   
   


5. PARTNERSHIP BUILDING
   
   
   
   1. Work with other members of leadership to scan for and pursue new and/or deeper relationships with organizations, elected officials, and grassroots community
   
   
   2. Work with colleagues to develop practices and processes that center authentic working relationships which advance environmental
   
   
   3. Forge positive working alliances with a diverse array of community organizations and individuals as well as the engineering and construction
   
   
   4. Gather and/or develop ecological restoration methods and tools to be utilized in-house and shared with our broader partner network.
   
   
   5. Act as spokesperson for Save the Sound’s NY Ecological Restoration team and work with the Communications Team to deliver storylines for communications to turn into stories that excite the public;
   
   
   
   

Qualifications and Characteristics

Must-have requirements:

• Proven track record of high-level leadership with strong skills in management and relationship building;


• Project management of ecological restoration projects;


• Contract, budget, and grant management; and,


• A strong background in one or more of the following areas of restoration practice:
  
  
  
  • Coastal or riverine resilience planning, design, or implementation;
  
  
  • Ecological or water resource engineering;
  
  
  • Living shorelines, tidal marsh restoration, or nature-based features;
  
  
  • Riverine or coastal habitat restoration;
  
  
  • Green infrastructure;
  
  
  • Fish passage design, fisheries management; or
  
  
  • Applied Ecology, Urban Ecology, and/or Ecological or Landscape
  
  
  
  

Desired Qualifications and Characteristics:

We do not expect applicants to meet 100% of the following preferred qualifications. The confidence gap and imposter syndrome are real things, and we are aware that it is easy to find reasons in these qualifications lists to “disqualify” yourself. If you are interested in this role, we encourage you to apply and we look forward to hearing from you!

• Demonstrated interest, knowledge, and experience in ecological restoration and protection, (New York experience preferred);


• BS or MS and/or equivalent work experience in environmental science, planning, engineering, fluvial geomorphology, natural resources, construction management or non-profit management;


• Strategic stakeholder relationship management, including work in underserved communities that have been disproportionately affected by planning and development decisions adversely affecting public health, access to nature and quality of life;


• Self-motivated and highly organized, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team atmosphere;


• Comfort working in a grant-driven environment, developing and tracking project deliverables, grants and managing budgets;


• Experience overseeing the construction of projects with multiple, diverse stakeholders that require significant logistical coordination and organization, including private, public agencies, non-profit organizations and municipalities (New York experience preferred);


• Demonstrated knowledge of, and experience conducting restoration planning and site identification through desktop, field survey, wetland and habitat assessments and other technical survey techniques;


• Familiarity with the management of design consultant and construction contractors (review of scope, contracts, design plans, specifications, budgets, schedules, and field inspections);


• Working knowledge of environmental permitting at local, state, and federal levels (New York experience preferred);


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate clearly about complex issues in a way that is clear and engaging to a broad audience;


• Familiarity with relevant computer programs beyond basic Office suite, such as Arc GIS or AutoCAD;


• Ability to travel statewide and to participate in site visits and meetings; and,


• Spanish language skills a

Terms & Compensation

This is an at-will, full-time, salaried, exempt position. The salary range is $85,000 – $100,000 annually, commensurate with skills and experience. Our comprehensive benefits package includes company sponsored health insurance, dental and vision insurance, 403(b) with company match after 1 year, life and long-term disability insurance, a generous time off package, and opportunities for professional development.

This position is contingent upon the continued level and availability of funding for work organizationally. Save the Sound reserves the right to modify or terminate employment if funding is reduced or unavailable.

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, list of references, and description of three relevant projects. Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as applications will be reviewed as they are received. Applications will be accepted starting July 8th, 2025, until the position is filled.  

We are a thoughtful and thorough organization. We will be in touch to acknowledge receipt of your application and to schedule selected applicants for an interview. Our hiring process can take from 7 to 10 weeks. You will be informed when the hiring process is complete. Please be patient.  

Additional Details Common to All Positions

Save the Sound’s Commitment to Equity and Diversity - Save the Sound is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination based on age, color, disability, marital or parental status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other legally protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Our organizational leadership and staff are working to deepen Save the Sound’s diversity, equity, and inclusion. We seek to attract a more diverse applicant pool, and to add and retain more outstanding Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to all levels of our team. We work in diverse communities and landscapes and are actively working to increase our focus on driving environmental justice and equitable outcomes through our work.

Shared Organizational Job Responsibilities 

• Maintaining positive and productive working relationships with all Save the Sound staff members, including providing and receiving constructive feedback;


• Participating in building productive relationships with Save the Sound's members, external partners, policy makers, and the general public; and


• Completing all administrative work on time, such as timesheets, purchase orders, project reports, and planning documents.

Hybrid Work Arrangements - Save the Sound currently has a hybrid in-office/remote work arrangement. Staff are expected to report to either of our offices at least 1 day per week (unless their position requires otherwise). Details of this arrangement are determined upon hire and employees must notify their manager of any necessary changes. It is at the manager’s discretion to amend the agreed-to work arrangement dependent upon business needs, work performance or other factors.