Show Program Manager (Environmental Stewardship Center, 0079790T)

The University of Hawai'i Office of Land and Ocean Conservation Futures supports the University of Hawai‘i in applying research, scholarship and field studies to conserve and restore Hawaii’s native ecosystems and abundant lands and seas through excellent science, Hawaiian values and practice, and collaboration. 

Title: Program Manager (Environmental Stewardship Center)

Position Number: 0079790T

Hiring Unit: Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI), Office of Land and Ocean Conservation Futures (LOCF)

Location: Manoa Campus

Date Posted: October 17, 2025

Closing Date: October 31, 2025 @ 11:59pm

Apply at: https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/hawaiiedu/jobs/5116035/program-manager-environmental-stewardship-center-0079790t?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

Band: B

Salary: salary schedules and placement information

Additional Salary Information: Commensurate with education and experience

Full Time/Part Time: Full Time

Temporary/Permanent: Temporary

Other Conditions: This position is annually renewable contingent upon satisfactory performance and/or availability of funding.

Duties and Responsibilities
(** denotes Essential Functions)

• **Leads and manages the program operations of the Environmental Stewardship Center (ESC) in direct support of the Office of Land and Ocean Conservation Futures (LOCF) Director, which integrates University education, research, and field training in conservation, natural and cultural resource management, environmental regulation and associated projects.
• **Builds, leads, and coordinates intergovernmental and cooperative agreements for natural and cultural resource management, conservation, and environmental stewardship projects between the University of Hawai?i (UH), the Department of Defense (DOD), and other federal, state, non-governmental organizations (NGO), and community partners. These agreements span lands managed by U.S. military in Hawai‘i and select Pacific locations, as well as state and private lands where conservation and defense interests intersect.
• **Implements collaborative initiatives that align DOD land use with conservation goals, enhancing ecosystem health, installation resilience, and community benefit through joint efforts with academic, governmental, and local partners. Facilitates strategic planning and ensures program activities align with conservation goals and interagency priorities.
• **Negotiates project tasks under agreements, including but not limited to native forest, wetlands, coastal dunes, rare and endangered species, native plant nurseries, weed and pest control, biosecurity and ecosystem restoration and related environmental compliance.
• **Recruits and coordinates efforts of UH research units, subject matter experts and staff, and subcontractors to execute delegated tasks in alignment with program objectives and technical requirements.
• **Leads the execution of conservation projects under formal agreements to ensure successful delivery of fieldwork and compliance outcomes. Responsible for monitoring project progress and ensuring reporting and completion deadlines are met for projects led by LOCF and those led by other University teams.
• **Manages administrative and operational logistics including proposals, staffing, and procurement for projects led by LOCF.
• **Leads environmental review processes for projects involving natural resource management, cultural resource protection, and other land stewardship initiatives, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and best practices.
• **Develops, enforces, and oversees training programs and safety protocols for field operations, ensuring that all project activities meet institutional, legal, and environmental safety requirements.
• **Supervises a number of project personnel in both Research Corporation of the University of Hawai?i (RCUH) and UH positions.
• Collaborates with partner agencies to design and implement conservation strategies that advance the goals of the Land and Ocean Conservation Futures (LOCF) Program and promote long-term environmental stewardship.
• Develops career pathways and hands-on learning opportunities for students, faculty, and field crews—advancing environmental leadership and workforce development across Hawai'i and the Pacific region
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Professional Work Experience:

• Possession of a baccalaureate degree in Business Administration, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, or related field and three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience with program management; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Considerable working knowledge of principles, practices and techniques in program management related to conservation planning and regulatory compliance, strategies, monitoring, tools, and techniques as demonstrated by the broad knowledge of the full range of pertinent standard and evolving concepts, principles and methodologies.
• Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and theories and systems associated with conservation planning, environmental compliance, and natural and cultural resource management.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve wide ranging complex problems using creative reasoning and logic to accurately determine the cause of the problems and the resolution of the problems in an effective, innovative and timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals.
• Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer, apply word processing software, and proficiency including but not
• limited to: Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint or other presentation software.
• If applicable, for supervisory work, demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations.

Supplemental Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with managing funding agreements to support program operations, including budgeting, compliance, reporting, and coordination with federal, state, or private partners.
• Demonstrated ability to manage large numbers of diverse projects, with multiple leads and teams.
• Required to complete a DoD security check post-employment, and must meet eligibility requirements for access to unclassified yet sensitive information.
• Must meet eligibility requirements for Department of Defense security clearance, including U.S. citizenship.
• Required to comply with all applicable RCUH, UH, and business entity policies, procedures, and trainings as a condition of employment.

Desirable Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, or related field.
• Experience leading university and federal contracts and agreements (writing, managing, procuring, or carrying out) and purchasing regulations.
• Expertise in Pacific Island natural resource management (protection and restoration of native and endangered species), environmental compliance, and/or cultural and historical resource management, with demonstrated ability to learn new subject matter areas in-depth as needed.
• Familiarity with DoD natural resource programs, both on- and off-installation, and their intersection with environmental stewardship and compliance.
• Foundational understanding of relevant laws, regulations, and licensing requirements governing environmental and cultural program management, including federal, state, and local frameworks, particularly within Hawaiian ecosystems and DoD training areas, and the Endangered Species Act (ESA), National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), implementing Code of Federal Regulations (CFR 200), and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).
• Proven experience managing funding agreements within UH systems to support conservation and research efforts, including budgeting, reporting, and interagency coordination.
• Demonstrated ability to lead collaborative partnerships across agencies, organizations, and communities to achieve shared conservation and resilience goals.

Inquiries

Suzanne Case; sdcase@hawaii.edu