Empleos
Technical Facilitator
The San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership (Estuario) seeks qualified applicants to provide services as Technical Facilitator in support of the Juan Méndez Creek Project. The Technical Facilitator is a senior-level service provider (can be an individual, group, or consulting firm) with proven experience in blue, green, and grey infrastructure that will lead a cross-sector collaboration to identify needs, potential solutions, and develop a comprehensive plan focused on the restoration of the Juan Méndez Creek located in the Municipality of San Juan, Puerto Rico. This role will develop and lead a work plan in collaboration with the project’s Infrastructure Committee that brings together the regulators, owners, and operators of the creek’s water infrastructure. Therefore, the Service Provider should have proven experience working with government agencies such as the Municipality of San Juan, the Puerto Rico Sewer and Aqueducts Authority, the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, and the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The Service Provider will oversee any necessary technical or scientific studies (including field studies) to assess the current conditions and any other analysis necessary for the design and implementation of the plan. Using the results from these studies, the Service Provider will support the development of a framework that supports entities in addressing priority issues such as previously identified illicit discharges.
ABOUT ESTUARIO
The Corporation for the Conservation of the San Juan Bay Estuary is a 501©3 non-profit organization that operates the San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership, or Estuario. The Estuario became part of the National Estuary Program (NEP) in 1994 and is the only tropical and non-continental location within the NEP under Section 320 of the Clean Water Act. The Estuario’s mission is to restore and conserve the waters and associated ecosystems of the San Juan Bay Estuary and its watershed as a sustainable axis of social and economic development. The work is guided by the Estuario Plan, a master restoration plan for the San Juan Bay Estuary officially known as the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP).
ABOUT THE PROJECT
In November 2021, Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) to invest in the nation’s infrastructure and resilience. Estuario is using IIJA funding to kickstart a planning process for the Juan Méndez Creek project. The Juan Méndez Creek is an important urban drainage asset located in the San Juan municipality within in a heavily urbanized watershed. The headwater portion drains from the eastern portion of Nuevo Milenio State Forest, and passing through Buen Consejo, Capetillo, the University of Puerto Rico campus, Villa Capri, Dos Pinos, Manuel A. Pérez, Truman, Israel, Cantera, and finally discharging into the San José Lagoon. During midcentury, the creek was channeled using traditional grey methods (buried pipes and an open concrete channel). The creek’s infrastructure has suffered from a general lack of maintenance and compounding impacts due to collapsing sanitary and pluvial systems.
Today, sections of the creek’s concrete walls and channel floor have significantly deteriorated and, in some areas, collapsed –compromising its hydraulic capacity. During rainfall events, flooding occurs in the low-lying areas, further exacerbated by persistent sanitary discharges that pose serious public health concerns. This project will center on the use of high-impact hybrid infrastructures throughout its planning, design and implementation phases to increase resilience at diverse scales. The Juan Méndez Creek project aims to become a model for previously channelized water resources in the tropical region.
SCOPE OF WORK
The Technical Facilitator is a senior-level service provider (an individual or consulting firm) that will lead multiple stakeholders in the technical planning aspects of the Juan Méndez Creek project. This role will develop and lead a work plan with the project’s Infrastructure Committee, which brings together the key decision-makers of the Juan Méndez Creek’s various infrastructures to develop a plan to address existing conditions in the Juan Méndez Creek and achieve its revitalization. The service provider will work with the Estuario team, the Infrastructure Committee, partners and other service providers to kickstart the development of a comprehensive study and plan to restore the Juan Méndez Creek. This includes identifying areas of opportunity to conduct needed studies, complement ongoing technical assistance efforts with US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE), direct and coordinate Infrastructure Committee efforts and produce a final comprehensive plan that includes potential solutions and will prepare Estuario to procure a feasibility study if needed.
The Technical Facilitator contract will be supervised by the Resilient Infrastructure Manager.
Responsibilities:
The service provider will:
- Facilitate the development of an MOU/MOA for the Infrastructure Committee.
- Scope and develop a comprehensive plan to revitalize the Juan Méndez Creek. This includes overseeing any necessary technical or scientific studies (including field studies) and existing conditions technical research.
- Oversee a reconnaissance study to assess the current conditions of the Juan Mendez Creek (This study will be carried out by a different Service Provider).
- Develop and lead a work plan for the Juan Méndez Creek project’s Infrastructure Committee. Lead and document Infrastructure Committee meetings as needed.
- Facilitate inter-stakeholder collaboration needed within and outside the Infrastructure Committee to obtain and analyze data that is necessary for the design of the restoration plan. This includes facilitating with the USACE through technical assistance.
- Present analysis, findings, and any recommendations to the Infrastructure Committee. This includes the development of any data visualization and analysis tools necessary. Develop and facilitate presentations to provide output updates and obtain input from Estuario, the Infrastructure Committee, and other collaborators.
- Facilitate multi-stakeholder coordination efforts, identifying resources, areas of opportunities and best practices throughout the project’s various phases.
- Support Estuario’s overall Juan Méndez Creek project planning process, focusing on scoping and developing a final comprehensive plan for the creek.
The Service Provider is expected to:
- Coordinate all meetings with stakeholders and/or the general public as necessary.
- Submit quarterly written reports to Estuario or as requested.
- Provide own assistants, as needed.
- Cover own business and travel expenses and tools, including transportation, computer, computer software and licenses, materials, etc.
- Be able to work from outside the Estuario’s premises and be on-site as needed.
- Be able to provide evidence of liability and worker’s compensation insurance.
- Be in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service, both at the federal and state levels.
Required Qualifications (Education and Experience):
- Master’s degree preferred; Bachelor’s degree required (preferred fields: Civil Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Biology, Ecology, Forestry, Agriculture, Botany, Landscape Design, Architecture, or related fields).
- Clear understanding of the complications of reverse channelization.
- Clear understanding of the expected climate change effects on freshwater ecosystems and urban infrastructures.
- Experience with field evaluations, geomorphology, freshwater ecology, hydrology, grey/green infrastructure, nature-based solutions, and climate resilience strategies.
- Experience with environmental fieldwork, including in inclement conditions and following safety protocols.
- At least ten years of working experience preferred.
- Experience building equitable and just working relationships with diverse stakeholders, including high-level executives, public servants, and community members.
- Detail-oriented with strong oral, written, and graphic communication skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively and independently, efficiently managing time.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, cloud-based software (e.g., Google Drive), and Adobe.
- Must provide own computer and transportation.
Language Required:
Fully bilingual in English and Spanish.
How to apply:
Interested candidates should send a cover letter, resume and relevant work samples by email no later than June 20, 2025 to: [email protected]. The email must be directed to Brenda Torres, Executive Director, and must specify in the subject the title of the position, Technical Facilitator.
Sources of funding:
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Grant 4T-96213322-2
The Corporation for the Conservation of the San Juan Bay Estuary is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that operates the San Juan Bay Estuary Partnership. The Corporation for the Conservation of the SJBE provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or genetics. MBE/WBE and other certified minorities and small businesses are encouraged to apply.
