POSITION: Regional Director - Shasta-Cascade
OFFICE LOCATION: Mt. Shasta, CA (in person)
FUNCTIONAL AREA: Program
EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-Time, Exempt
REPORTS TO: VP of Conservation
Position Summary:
CalTrout is seeking an experienced and strategic Regional Director to oversee conservation efforts in the Shasta-Cascade region. This role is responsible for leading regional initiatives, setting and achieving conservation goals, managing staff and partnerships, and delivering on CalTrout's mission to ensure resilient wild fish in healthy waters. The Regional Director will lead efforts to recover the region's salmon, steelhead, and native trout across its critical spring-fed and coldwater landscapes. Stretching from the Klamath River and its Scott and Shasta River tributaries to the volcanic headwaters of Mt. Shasta and Mt. Lassen, the Shasta-Cascade holds some of California's most important coldwater refugia for wild fish. Its spring-fed rivers, including the McCloud, Fall, and Pit, provide stable cold flows that will be increasingly vital as the climate warms. Sacramento River tributaries such as Butte, Mill, and Deer Creeks support some of the last remaining wild populations of spring-run Chinook salmon, while Battle Creek is the focus of a major salmon and steelhead restoration effort. In the Klamath basin, the removal of four mainstem dams has opened a historic opportunity to restore salmon and steelhead runs, and the Scott and Shasta Rivers remain critical to the recovery of threatened coho salmon. This is an in-person position based in CalTrout's Mt. Shasta office.
Roles & Responsibilities:
Regional Leadership & Oversight
- Lead and manage CalTrout's conservation efforts in the Shasta-Cascade region, including the Upper Sacramento, McCloud, Pit, and Fall River watersheds; Sacramento River tributaries including Butte Creek, Big Chico Creek, Battle Creek, Mill Creek, and Deer Creek; and the Klamath River and its tributaries, including the Scott River and Shasta River.
- Develop and implement strategic plans, conservation priorities, and project pipelines for the region.
- Ensure successful delivery of conservation initiatives, restoration projects, and advocacy efforts.
- Supervise and support regional staff based in the Mt. Shasta and Chico offices, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team across both locations.
- Serve as a key representative for CalTrout in the region, strengthening relationships with stakeholders, agencies, and partners.
Goal Setting & Conservation Strategy
- Establish and track measurable conservation goals that align with CalTrout's statewide objectives.
- Oversee project development, implementation, and evaluation to maximize ecological impact.
- Advance restoration and fish recovery in the Klamath basin following dam removal, working with tribes, agencies, and partners to restore habitat and support the return of salmon and steelhead to newly reopened waters.
- Secure and manage funding for regional conservation projects, including grants, partnerships, and philanthropic support.
- Advocate for science-driven conservation policies that support the region's watersheds and fisheries.
External Relations & Advocacy
- Build and maintain partnerships with federal, state, and local agencies, NGOs, and other conservation stakeholders.
- Represent CalTrout in public forums, stakeholder meetings, and policy discussions related to regional and statewide conservation efforts.
- Engage with local communities, tribes, and private landowners to promote sustainable water and fisheries management.
Requirements & Qualifications:
- Master's degree (or equivalent experience) in fisheries science, ecology, conservation biology, natural resource management, or a related field.
- 10+ years of experience in conservation leadership, program management, or ecosystem restoration, preferably in California.
- Strong knowledge of Shasta-Cascade watersheds, fisheries, and conservation challenges, including spring-fed river systems, spring-run Chinook salmon recovery, Klamath dam removal and post-removal restoration, hydropower, forest health, and water management issues.
- Demonstrated success in program development, fundraising, and partnership-building.
- Experience managing staff, budgets, and complex conservation projects.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating within a statewide team; must be able to work in person from the Mt. Shasta office and travel regularly throughout the region.
- Passion for CalTrout's mission and a commitment to advancing conservation efforts for native fish and healthy waters.
Physical Demands:
- Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds at times.
- Ability to operate a motor vehicle to commute to/from remote work sites.
- Ability to occasionally tolerate uncomfortable outdoor working conditions (rain, cold temperatures, hot sun) and navigate uneven terrain.
Benefits: California Trout offers competitive compensation commensurate with experience; health benefits (medical, dental, and vision), 6-week sabbatical leave, paid parental leave, retirement plan with matching, generous holidays and vacation benefits.
