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Director of Natural Resources:
Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mts / Calabasas (Hybrid)
Posted on: July 24, 2026
Application Deadline: 8/13/26
Job Description
The Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains (RCDSMM) is currently recruiting for two exciting career opportunities.
Based in Calabasas, CA, we are a local government district dedicated to promoting land stewardship and resource conservation through ecological research, conservation planning and design, habitat restoration, and environmental education, while upholding the highest standards of transparency and accountability in public service.
RCDSMM offers flexible work schedules, including a minimum of two days per week in the office and core hours of 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with general flexibility outside those core hours. Please visit the hyperlinks above to learn more about each position and submit an application. Both opportunities are also posted on our LinkedIn page.
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Director of Natural Resources:
https://jobs.gusto.com/postings/resource-conservation-district-of-the-santa-monica-mountains-director-of-natural-resources-5bd7e4e4-0175-4ffb-b7dc-ec6236e0a0d7
Salary: $52 – $60 per hour
Position Summary
The Director of Natural Resources is a senior-level scientific administrator responsible for leading and overseeing the District’s biological research, habitat monitoring, ecological restoration, and natural resources department. This position has a strong aquatic focus and requires applicants to currently hold, have pending, or be able to obtain within six months of hire, applicable USFWS, CDFW, and/or NMFS permits to work with southern steelhead trout, tidewater gobies, southwestern pond turtles, and other sensitive species.
Required Experience / Skills / Education
POSITION QUALIFICATIONS
Studies have shown that underrepresented people often do not apply for technical jobs unless they feel they meet every qualification or requirement listed in a job description. Conversely, people with identities overrepresented in these fields often do not hesitate to apply for jobs even if they do not meet all stated qualifications. Prior experience may be transferable, even if it is outside what is described herein. Training and professional development is available to RCDSMM employees to help improve skills. Passionate and interested people with the core competencies listed above are encouraged to apply.
SCREEN OUT REQUIREMENT
Must have current or pending USFWS, CDFW, or NMFS permits to work with southern steelhead trout, tidewater gobies, southwestern pond turtles, and/or other sensitive species. Or must have experience to allow procurement of permits within six (6) months of hire date.
PREFERRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
- Master of Science in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or a closely related field
- Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in field-based biological research, monitoring, or ecological restoration
- At least five (5) years of supervisory or management experience with responsibility for staff oversight and team leadership
- Demonstrated experience conducting and supervising aquatic surveys (e.g., SWAMP protocols, seining, snorkel surveys, wetlands delineation)
- Experience preparing and coordinating regulatory permit applications and supervising implementation of permit compliance monitoring
- Experience pursuing, writing, and securing grants from public agencies, foundations, or other funding sources
- Experience managing grant-funded programs including compliance, deliverables, budget tracking, and invoicing
- Familiarity with GPS and GIS tools (handheld and desktop), including ArcGIS, Google Earth Pro, and TOPO
- Experience supervising or conducting in-field regulatory compliance work (e.g., CRAM, jurisdictional determinations)
- Experience with large-scale restoration project management including contractor oversight and environmental permitting
- Experience contributing to regional or statewide technical advisory committees or agency coordination
- High-level technical writing and communication skills, including preparation of scientific reports, grant proposals, and regulatory documents
- Proficiency in Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
- Ability to work collaboratively with internal staff, agency partners, community organizations, and the public
- Comfortable hiking on slippery and uneven terrain, working at odd hours, and in temperature and weather extremes
- Valid California driver’s license and ability to travel locally as needed
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- This is a hybrid position requiring both in-office and on-site field work
- This position will require some nights and weekends
- This position will require long periods of sedentary desk work as well as physically demanding field work, including traversing uneven terrain and exposure to outdoor elements in a variety of conditions; some field days may be longer than 8 hours
- This position will be regularly required to stand, stoop, kneel, bend, crouch, and lift up to 25 pounds
- This position works with a diverse group of individuals and communities
Application Instructions
APPLICATION
Applicants must apply via Gusto. Applicants must submit:
- Submit Cover Letter
- Resume (not to exceed 2 pages)
- Include years per position and average hours worked per week
- Your resume should clearly support any screen out requirements needed for the position.
- Do not include any personal sensitive information or pictures of yourself in any material.
This job announcement will close on August 13, 2026 or when 50 applications are submitted, whichever comes first
