We’re Hiring a Clean Water Project Manager

Portland, OR
Opening: 3/1/17
Closing: 4/1/17

The Organization

Willamette Partnership is a conservation non-profit dedicated to solving complex environmental problems in ways that work for people. We are known for building pragmatic collaborations and creating solutions that improve environmental, social, and economic outcomes.

At the Partnership we believe that diverse perspectives create stronger solutions and approach our work through collaboration – relying on partnerships with the conservation, business, government, agriculture, public health, community development, and scientific communities.

Our Team

Willamette Partnership is a small team of talented individuals. We conduct our work in a way that embodies our values— integrity, leadership, collaboration, passion, and balance. We attract people that are excited to grow, learn, and lend their individual strengths toward achieving bigger, better, and faster delivery of conservation and restoration. We value the motivations that inspire each person to keep pushing the conversation community forward.

The Position

Willamette Partnership’s Clean Water program is focused on ways to meet the water quality needs of ecological and human communities by investing in the protection and restoration of the natural systems. As part of this endeavor, we coordinate and facilitate the National Network on Water Quality Trading (National Network, http://nnwqt.org), a network of stakeholders that works collaboratively on innovations in policy, science, and practice that can achieve clean water goals in a flexible, cost-effective, and ecologically appropriate way. In the next year, the National Network will be focusing on stimulating demand for water quality improvement across sectors.

The Clean Water Project Manager will lead the National Network effort on behalf of the Partnership. This includes:

• Facilitating the National Network Steering Committee,
• Strategy and work plan development for the Network, including activities/products that can stimulate market demand for water quality improvements in the utility, corporate, and public sectors,
• Planning and executing stakeholder workshops,
• Developing communication materials, and
• Conducting outreach to inspire uptake of national best practices for water quality trading.

This position is also expected to support other program and organizational priorities, which may include:

• Setting the direction, strategies, and goals of the Clean Water program and the organization as a whole;
• Grant and contract management;
• Design and facilitation of stakeholder processes;
• Research and/or development of science and policy tools to align watershed restoration with regulatory compliance programs or financing mechanisms;
• Communications related to Partnership projects, including website content, blog posts, handouts, etc.; and
• Representing the Partnership in public speaking opportunities.

The ideal candidate is a critical, analytical, and creative thinker; an excellent communicator; comfortable developing new project opportunities and maintaining a network of partnerships and professional relationships.

Expected Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

All candidates should demonstrate the following required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Coordinate and manage projects to deliver high-quality results within scheduled deadlines;
• Apply concepts of economics, natural resources management, public policy, and other disciplines to understanding complex conservation problems and develop innovative solutions;
• Effectively synthesize and present information on the disciplines above;
• Communicate effectively through clear concise writing, public speaking, in person professional interactions, and collaboration with team members;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders, partners, and community groups;
• Operate effectively on individual projects and in a team environment; and
• Remain flexible to changes in priorities and/or job duties.

Candidates would ideally demonstrate the following preferred knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Familiarity with water resource utility and/or corporate sustainability sectors;
• Research and analysis of environmental policies; Clean Water Act TMDL, NPDES, and/or MS4 programs, familiarity with current trends;
• Meeting, workshop, and webinar planning and facilitation;
• Writing public information including website content and blog posts; and
• Developing and managing project budgets.

The Candidate/Qualifications

• 3 or more years of experience in a related field,  such as environmental sciences, natural resource economics, public policy, planning, environmental law, or natural resources management. Experience in water quality, water policy, and/or watershed management is preferred;
• 1 year project management required, 3 years preferred; and
• A graduate degree in a related field (see above) OR comparable professional experience is competitive within our typical applicant pool.

Salary and Benefits

The pay for this full-time position is anticipated to be $44,000-$63,672, dependent on experience. Willamette Partnership offers a generous benefits package including:

• Health, vision, dental, and alternative care insurance covered at 90% for eligible employees, spouses, and dependents;
• Annual bonus;
• Matching 401K up to 5% annual salary;
• 10 paid holidays plus 3 floating holidays;
• Paid time off accrued at 9 hours/pay period (29 days/year); and
• Potential for flexible scheduling.

How to Apply

Interested candidates must submit a cover letter, specifically stating how your knowledge, skills, and abilities relate to this position, and a resume by the closing date April 1, 2017. Persons who represent diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Three professional references will be requested at the interview stage. Submissions should be sent by email to info@willamettepartnership.org. Please reference job #ProjectManager-2017-01 in the subject line.

Willamette Partnership is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Applicants who need reasonable accommodation in order to participate in any phase of the application process should call (503) 946-8350.

See a pdf of this job announcement here.