Great Lakes Atlantic Region – Michigan
Ducks Unlimited, Inc. (DU), the world’s leading wetland and waterfowl conservation organization, is seeking an experienced Aquatic Resource Mitigation professional to fill our Manager of Conservation Programs (MCP) position in Michigan. The successful candidate will join a highly motivated, interdisciplinary conservation team responsible for delivering and managing a growing aquatic resource mitigation program in the Great Lakes Atlantic Region. This is a full-time, salaried position with a preference to be based in DU’s Great Lakes Atlantic Regional Office, Dexter, MI with remote work flexibility.
Qualifications:
Candidates must have the following qualifications:
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Bachelor’s degree (advanced degrees preferred) in Ecology, Conservation Biology, Natural Resource Management, Wildlife Management, or an applicable related field from an accredited college or university.
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Minimum 7 years of related experience in aquatic resource mitigation or similar natural resource management.
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Excellent leadership, written and oral communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to quickly synthesize and explain complex information from multiple sources to various stakeholder groups.
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Ability to coordinate between various departments and lead the team objectively working through sometimes conflicting priorities and timelines to meet obligations while following DU policies.
Knowledge of In-Lieu Fee and mitigation banking programs, state and federal wetland regulations, policies, and laws is preferred. Experience identifying, drafting, delivering and monitoring mitigation banks and/or In-lieu fee projects is desired. The successful candidate will be self-motivated, goal-oriented self-starter, with the ability to drive results, and work independently and as part of a team.
The following experience is preferred:
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Experience with developing and writing complex mitigation plans and monitoring reports.
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Experience working with multiple stakeholders, including, private landowners, consultants, state/federal agencies, municipalities, and other large coalitions and networking groups.
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Experience managing numerous project budgets concurrently.
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Seeking out wetland restoration opportunities, wetland mitigation implementation, vegetation identification and inventory, invasive species control, hydrology monitoring, and wetland delineation.
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Program and staff supervisory experience.
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Project management experience.
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Wetland permitting and project approvals through State agencies and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
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Erosion prevention and sediment control permitting.
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State Historic Preservation Office coordination.
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Understanding of general land protection mechanisms and documents for fee title acquisitions and conservation easements.
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Experience leading large collaborative partnerships across a board landscape.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The position will report to the Mitigation Program, Director of Conservation Programs (DCP). Essential responsibilities include direct supervision of staff, management of program finances, coordination with the Army Corps and Interagency Review Team, and leading the team in delivery of multi-year, complex mitigation projects. As part of DU’s growing regional mitigation program, the successful candidate will work with internal teams, partners, and contractors to deliver projects in Michigan, Iowa, and Illinois. The mitigation team advances mitigation projects through all phases of mitigation project delivery from property searches and acquisition, delineation of aquatic resources, permitting, design, construction oversight, monitoring, and adaptive management.
Specific duties include:
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Working with the Director of Conservation Programs and other Managers of Conservation Programs to provide leadership, strategic vision, management oversight, and technical assistance.
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Directly supervising biologists as the program grows.
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Working closely with administrative staff to ensure smooth operation of programs and budget management and perform program-level annual reporting requirements including accounting reports.
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Serving as the primary point of contact for the Army Corps and Interagency Review Team.
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Working collaboratively to secure wetland restoration projects including acquiring properties.
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Working with biologists and engineering staff to budget and design restoration projects.
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Writing, quality assurance, and quality control of mitigation plans and monitoring reports.
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Working with staff to identify adaptive management needs and implement adaptive management plans including invasive plant control and planting of native species.
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Overseeing the permit application process for wetland restoration construction and adaptive management.
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Developing and stewarding collaborative relationships with regulatory agencies and partnering organizations.
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Attending professional meetings to represent DU, coordinating with communications staff on public outreach, and delivering presentations or support as needed.
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Always representing DU in a professional manner.
Position will travel throughout Michigan and occasionally outside of the Midwest for conferences and meetings. The successful applicant must be willing and physically able to work outside of normal business hours, work independently, travel overnight, work in inclement weather, and work in strenuous conditions with minimal supervision in remote environments.
Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted through July 17, 2026, or until a qualified applicant is identified.
As a remote employee, you may be required to come in at any time, with reasonable notice, into a DU office (or other designated location) for meetings and other business needs.
Salary & Benefits Package: Salary range varies based on experience and geographic location. We encourage everyone at Ducks Unlimited to bring their authentic selves to work every day. DU offers an exceptional benefit package that includes comprehensive group medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance, including spouse and dependent coverage; three weeks paid vacation; paid sick leave; and 10 paid holidays; 401(k) plan (including partial employer match); and tuition reimbursement.
To Apply: Please complete all application materials and attach your cover letter, resume, and three professional references.
DUCKS UNLIMITED, INC. IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
It is the policy of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. to afford equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, military status, disability, age, or genetic information, except where age or gender is a bona fide occupational qualification as allowed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It is the policy of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. to afford equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (40 or over), disability (physical, mental or visual), genetic information, marital status (including registered domestic partnership status), military and veteran status, immigration status, or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.
