Director of Resilience and Natural Resource Management – Sullivan’s Island

October 17, 2023

The Town of Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina is seeking qualified, experienced applicants for its  newly created position of Director of Resilience and Natural Resource Management. The  Director’s primary responsibilities will include: a) Preservation, protection and management of  Sullivan’s Island’s natural resources (maritime forest, accreted land, wetlands, greenspaces,  rights of way) and b) Development and implementation of plans to increase the Island’s  resilience in dealing with threats such as sea level rise, rain-related flooding, hurricanes and other  extreme weather events, and earthquakes. 

More specific responsibilities include: 

∙ Develop short-, medium- and long-term plans to preserve and enhance SI natural  resources in keeping with the town’s Comprehensive Plan, and manage staff and  contractors to execute these plans 

∙ Identify and apply for grant & endowment funds 

∙ Work with South Carolina Department of Resiliency and other federal & state agencies to  develop and implement nature-based solutions to increase resilience 

∙ Work with Council and town staff to update and modify ordinances and zoning as needed  to best improve the island’s resilience 

∙ Develop and conduct educational programs for residents and the larger community to  increase engagement and understanding of the Maritime forest and other natural  resources on SI 

∙ Act as a media contact for matters related to the town’s natural resources  Sullivan’s Island is a low-lying barrier Island approximately 3.2 miles long near Charleston. It  faces Charleston Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean, and backs onto marsh lands and the Atlantic  Intracoastal Waterway. Unlike most East Coast barrier islands, it is accretional in most areas; the  Town owns the approximately 200 acres that have accreted and has placed this land under  conservation protections which prohibit development. As a result, the land has developed into a  unique, highly diverse successional maritime habitat including dunes and grasslands, shrublands,  wetlands and an evolving maritime forest, all of which host a variety of flora and fauna. 

Qualifications:

∙ Master’s Degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology or similar field (highly  preferred) 

∙ Minimum of 5 years’ experience in maritime habitat or salt and fresh water marsh  management 

∙ Demonstrated experience with budget management and grant writing 

∙ Strong leadership skills and relations within the natural resource management community  ∙ Experience developing nature-based resilience solutions 

∙ Experience managing environments and habitats within communities subject to  hurricanes, sea level rise and water encroachment 

∙ Media relations skills 

∙ Experience with developing educational programs for residents and communities The salary for the position is negotiable based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience  and is supplemented by an excellent benefits package. 

Submit cover letter and resume to Resilience and Natural Resource Director Search, Attention:  Pam Otto, Human Resources Manager, Town of Sullivan’s Island, P.O. Box 427, Sullivan’s  Island, SC 29482. 

Submission Deadline: November 16, 2023 

For more information about the Town, visit https://sullivansisland.sc.gov or contact Pam Otto at  843-883-5744 or potto@sullivansisland.sc.gov.  

The Town is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.