Resource Stewardship Manager
Tacoma Public Utilities, Tacoma, WA, United States
Resource Stewardship Manager – Tacoma Power
Tacoma Power seeks a Resource Stewardship Manager to lead the strategic stewardship of Natural Resources programs across various watersheds, with a strong focus on fisheries and wildlife recovery, applied science, and fish passage. The role oversees teams in Wildlife and Lands, Science and Research, and Water Resources, ensuring regulatory compliance with FERC license implementation and supporting relicensing objectives while advancing long‑term stewardship commitments for hydroelectric projects.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership
Oversight of Wildlife and Lands, Science and Research, and Water Resources programs with accountability for recovery and restoration strategies and FERC‑linked regulatory outcomes.
Direct multidisciplinary teams focused on applied science for fish passage, recovery & hatchery programs, land & habitat management, water resources, and compliance‑driven program delivery.
Set priorities and make trade‑off decisions that balance regulatory obligations, scientific integrity, stakeholder interests, and long‑term stewardship goals.
Regulatory and Technical Authority
Serve as a senior technical leader in engagements with federal, state, tribal, and local partners; provide direction to teams responsible for license compliance, negotiations, and regulatory strategy aligned with the FERC License Program Manager.
Lead or delegate complex negotiations related to license terms, compliance strategies, and operational agreements.
Provide clear direction on interpretation and implementation of license requirements across multiple river systems.
Represent Tacoma Power in Board and public‑facing discussions related to license compliance, excluding facility operations.
Translate complex scientific and regulatory issues into clear, actionable guidance that supports decision‑making and effective negotiation.
People, Performance, and Culture
Lead managers, supervisors, and technical experts through clear expectations, delegation, coaching, and accountability.
Support recruitment, performance management, corrective action, and development across stewardship programs.
Build durable teams grounded in a common vision with trust, professionalism, and pride in public service.
Budget, Contracts, and Program Execution
Lead O&M budget development and oversight for all programs within scope; sponsor high‑profile capital and non‑capital projects; direct consultant and contractor engagement, including scope development, oversight, and accountability for deliverables.
Ensure stewardship programs are executed efficiently, balancing cost, compliance, quality, and transparency.
Integration, Strategy, and Long‑Term Positioning
Partner closely with the FERC License Program Manager to align compliance and licensing strategy, integrating science, policy, and regulatory requirements to support both near‑term obligations and long‑term license positioning.
Partner with the Operations Manager to align science, operations, and compliance in day‑to‑day and long‑term decision making.
Support relicensing planning, stakeholder engagement, and development of tools and processes that position the organization for future obligations.
Represent stewardship priorities within Natural Resources leadership and across Tacoma Power.
Continuously evaluate and improve compliance processes to strengthen clarity, efficiency, and readiness for future relicensing.
Preferred Leadership Attributes
Consistently applies sound judgment when navigating regulatory, financial, and reputational considerations in complex environments.
Communicates complex scientific and regulatory matters effectively across audiences, from technical teams to executive leadership, the Board, and external partners.
Establishes trust and credibility through transparency, consistency, and informed decision‑making.
Qualifications
Minimum Education
Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, or a directly related field that supports leadership of complex, regulated programs.
Minimum Experience
Six (6) years of progressively responsible experience leading analytical, technical, or programmatic work related to Natural Resources, environmental programs, utilities, or regulated environments, including at least one year in a senior, lead, or supervisory role with accountability for people, programs, or outcomes.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of managing Natural Resources or utility programs within regulated environments, including interpretation and implementation of license or permit requirements.
Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams of scientists, analysts, and program managers while balancing regulatory compliance, scientific integrity, and organizational priorities.
Skill in setting strategic direction, sequencing work, and making trade‑off decisions in complex and often ambiguous conditions.
Ability to oversee significant operational and capital budgets, consultant contracts, and external technical support with accountability for outcomes.
Ability to represent an organization effectively in negotiations and technical discussions with federal, state, tribal, and local partners.
Compensation and Benefits
Hourly Rate: $67.84–$95.51
Annual Salary: $141,107.20–$198,660.80
Employee benefits available through the City of Tacoma’s benefits program.
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Tacoma Power seeks a Resource Stewardship Manager to lead the strategic stewardship of Natural Resources programs across various watersheds, with a strong focus on fisheries and wildlife recovery, applied science, and fish passage. The role oversees teams in Wildlife and Lands, Science and Research, and Water Resources, ensuring regulatory compliance with FERC license implementation and supporting relicensing objectives while advancing long‑term stewardship commitments for hydroelectric projects.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership
Oversight of Wildlife and Lands, Science and Research, and Water Resources programs with accountability for recovery and restoration strategies and FERC‑linked regulatory outcomes.
Direct multidisciplinary teams focused on applied science for fish passage, recovery & hatchery programs, land & habitat management, water resources, and compliance‑driven program delivery.
Set priorities and make trade‑off decisions that balance regulatory obligations, scientific integrity, stakeholder interests, and long‑term stewardship goals.
Regulatory and Technical Authority
Serve as a senior technical leader in engagements with federal, state, tribal, and local partners; provide direction to teams responsible for license compliance, negotiations, and regulatory strategy aligned with the FERC License Program Manager.
Lead or delegate complex negotiations related to license terms, compliance strategies, and operational agreements.
Provide clear direction on interpretation and implementation of license requirements across multiple river systems.
Represent Tacoma Power in Board and public‑facing discussions related to license compliance, excluding facility operations.
Translate complex scientific and regulatory issues into clear, actionable guidance that supports decision‑making and effective negotiation.
People, Performance, and Culture
Lead managers, supervisors, and technical experts through clear expectations, delegation, coaching, and accountability.
Support recruitment, performance management, corrective action, and development across stewardship programs.
Build durable teams grounded in a common vision with trust, professionalism, and pride in public service.
Budget, Contracts, and Program Execution
Lead O&M budget development and oversight for all programs within scope; sponsor high‑profile capital and non‑capital projects; direct consultant and contractor engagement, including scope development, oversight, and accountability for deliverables.
Ensure stewardship programs are executed efficiently, balancing cost, compliance, quality, and transparency.
Integration, Strategy, and Long‑Term Positioning
Partner closely with the FERC License Program Manager to align compliance and licensing strategy, integrating science, policy, and regulatory requirements to support both near‑term obligations and long‑term license positioning.
Partner with the Operations Manager to align science, operations, and compliance in day‑to‑day and long‑term decision making.
Support relicensing planning, stakeholder engagement, and development of tools and processes that position the organization for future obligations.
Represent stewardship priorities within Natural Resources leadership and across Tacoma Power.
Continuously evaluate and improve compliance processes to strengthen clarity, efficiency, and readiness for future relicensing.
Preferred Leadership Attributes
Consistently applies sound judgment when navigating regulatory, financial, and reputational considerations in complex environments.
Communicates complex scientific and regulatory matters effectively across audiences, from technical teams to executive leadership, the Board, and external partners.
Establishes trust and credibility through transparency, consistency, and informed decision‑making.
Qualifications
Minimum Education
Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, or a directly related field that supports leadership of complex, regulated programs.
Minimum Experience
Six (6) years of progressively responsible experience leading analytical, technical, or programmatic work related to Natural Resources, environmental programs, utilities, or regulated environments, including at least one year in a senior, lead, or supervisory role with accountability for people, programs, or outcomes.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of managing Natural Resources or utility programs within regulated environments, including interpretation and implementation of license or permit requirements.
Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams of scientists, analysts, and program managers while balancing regulatory compliance, scientific integrity, and organizational priorities.
Skill in setting strategic direction, sequencing work, and making trade‑off decisions in complex and often ambiguous conditions.
Ability to oversee significant operational and capital budgets, consultant contracts, and external technical support with accountability for outcomes.
Ability to represent an organization effectively in negotiations and technical discussions with federal, state, tribal, and local partners.
Compensation and Benefits
Hourly Rate: $67.84–$95.51
Annual Salary: $141,107.20–$198,660.80
Employee benefits available through the City of Tacoma’s benefits program.
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