Project Manager – Seattle, WA

Organization: Washington Water Trust

Position Title: Project Manager

Location: Seattle, WA

Hours & Compensation: Full-time. No salary information posted.

Application Deadline: June 14, 2013 or until filled.

Posted On: May 31, 2013.

Organization Overview:

Washington Water Trust is a neutral, nonregulatory, 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to improving and protecting stream flows and water quality throughout Washington state. We use voluntary, market-based transactions and cooperative partnerships to create balanced solutions. So fish, agriculture, business and wildlife—upon which we all depend–can thrive.

We lease and buy water from water rights holder, temporarily or permanently to leave instream, to improve and protect flows, especially during periods that are critical to the survival of imperiled salmon and steelhead. At the right time, at the right place, even just a small amount of water left instream can have an immensely positive impact.

Washington Water Trust also works to develop innovative solutions with water rights holders who are looking for a more cost-effective ways to use their water. A range of best practices exist–from more efficient irrigation methods and technologies, to more profitable crop cycles and selections, to more effective diversions and sources, such as switching from surface to groundwater.

Drawing from an extensive network of partnerships with agricultural producers, conservation districts, irrigation districts, land trust, landowners, legal experts, state agencies, tribes and other stakeholders, Washington Water Trust is able to bring to the table balanced, mutually beneficial ideas that are proven to work.

Our expertise runs deep and wide, encompassing such areas as restoration strategy development, stream flow restoration and water rights analysis, water transaction advisement, outreach and negotiation engagement, instream flow protection, and flow habitat monitoring.

Our experience with land use, hydrology, water law and policy, project evaluation and economic valuation—and in cooperative conservation efforts and stakeholder dialogue–means we can create plans, policies and management strategies that benefit not only watersheds, but also water rights holders.

Description:

Washington Water Trust, a nonprofit leader in river and stream flow restoration throughout Washington, seeks an experienced professional to join our talented team as Project Manager. This full-time position will develop programs and projects to preserve and restore stream flows in critical basins around the state. Washington Water Trust has offices in Seattle and Ellensburg.

The applicant joins a talented team with over four decades of conservation experience specializing in water rights and water law consulting for landowners, tribes, conservation districts, land trusts, local, state and federal agencies to lay the groundwork for successful collaboration. Using market-based approaches, we develop water management alternatives that produce environmental, economic and social benefits for local communities.

Responsibilities:

• Develop effective working relationships with local watershed groups, public agency staff, water right holders and others facilitating stream restoration in WWT’s targeted basins.
• Cultivate and manage acquisition opportunities with water right holders.
• Research and prepare ecological, economic, financial, legal and political information to evaluate water acquisition projects.
• Negotiate water right acquisition agreements and complete all necessary due diligence to complete the deal.
• Prepare and submit trust water applications and coordinate transfer of acquired rights through the Washington Department of Ecology’s Water Trust Program.
• Perform flow monitoring and/or oversee monitoring efforts by partners and volunteers, to insure that WWT’s instream acquisitions are consistent with their contract requirements and priority date.
• Work with Executive Director to identify and secure funding for acquisitions and complete project reports for funding entities.
• Represent and support WWT interests through presentation opportunities at meetings and conferences.
• Support WWT board and Executive Director to advocate and influence policies promoting instream flow strategies.
• Manage project files, databases, and all supporting scientific and economic information.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Four years of experience negotiation real estate or water right acquisition agreements for conservation purposes, or equivalent experience, desired.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• Excellent communication/interpersonal skills and ability to negotiate successfully.
• Working knowledge of natural resources, agriculture, and water policy issues.
• Understanding of local communities in rural Washington highly valued.
• Knowledge of fisheries and stream hydrology desired.
• Field experience with evaluation and monitoring of biological systems preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite. ESRI ArcView or equivalent GIS software a plus.
• Willingness to travel frequently throughout the state.

How to Apply:

Please submit a resume and cover letter as soon as possible to:
Susan Adams Executive Director
1530 Westlake Ave N, Ste 400 Seattle, WA 98109
email: [email protected]

Contact Information: 

Washington Water Trust, http://www.washingtonwatertrust.org

Job URL: http://www.washingtonwatertrust.org/project-manager/