Flow Restoration Project Manager

POSITION SUMMARY 

This is an exciting opportunity to join Trout Unlimited (TU) and lead work to restore adequate instream flows in the John Day Basin to support ongoing efforts to conserve and recover Oregon’s native salmon, trout, and riverine ecosystems.  

TU is seeking a candidate with diverse skills including water right transactions, water law, hydrology, agriculture, restoration ecology, and project management. The Flow Restoration Project Manager will support TU’s presence as a leader in working on project-oriented streamflow and habitat restoration. The successful candidate will be responsible for all aspects of restoration project management including outreach to landowners, project development, grant writing, developing strategic approaches to meet TU’s mission, participating in regional partnership efforts, providing fiscal oversight for project budgets, and coordinating with other TU staff and contractors.  

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work closely with local stakeholders to develop and implement instream flow restoration projects

• Evaluate feasibility and value of potential instream flow restoration projects with private landowners and other stakeholders, both independently and in group settings

• Identify funding sources, prepare budgets and proposals, and secure funding for water transactions

• Complete state requirements for transacting water rights, including leasing and transfer applications to the Oregon Water Resources Department

• Manage project implementation including budgeting, scheduling, partner coordination, contractor selection and oversight, and reporting

• Coordinate and develop communications materials

• Consolidate, manage, and share hydrologic data to inform flow restoration needs and priorities

• Prepare grant deliverables including quarterly, annual, and final progress reports

• Monitor projects including tracking instream flow, compliance with instream water rights, and ecologic outcomes

• Follow all TU policies regarding federal and state grant compliance, including procurement processes

• Foster and maintain positive relationships with landowners and other stakeholders with varying political and social backgrounds

• Collaborate closely with partners, including federal, state and local government agencies, academic institutions, and other non-profit organizations

Additional duties may be assigned as necessary, including programmatic work in the region on other restoration and habitat improvement efforts

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor’s degree in hydrology, water resources, ecology, fisheries, or a related field. Master’s degree or higher preferred.

• Knowledge of and experience working with western water law and water rights.

• At least 2 years professional experience preferred.

• Grant and project management skills

• Experience working or collecting data under potentially adverse conditions in the field.

• Superior interpersonal skills and ability to work constructively with diverse partners and private landowners.

• Ability and willingness to travel to project sites, with occasional multi-day trips. Valid driver’s license and own vehicle required.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Excellent problem-solving abilities.

• Ability to work independently without close oversight, but also a team player who will productively engage with others at varying levels of seniority within and outside TU.

• Ability to manage complex projects and manage multiple deadlines simultaneously.

• Ability to track and manage project spending and budgets.

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs.

• A passion for protecting and restoring trout and salmon and their watersheds.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with grant writing

• Experience with water rights and irrigation systems.

• Experience with GIS software.

• Experience measuring flow (using a flowtracker or similar equipment)

Work may at times be physically demanding. May require walking and maintaining balance on slippery surfaces and sloping, highly uneven stream banks, and in conditions of moderate streamflow; may require lifting, pulling, pushing, and carrying of field equipment over long distances. The position will also require day travel to remote areas.  

Staff and leadership at TU understand that life outside of work is important to personal health and we strive to create a healthy and family-friendly atmosphere. This is a full-time position with a generous benefits package. The approximate salary range is $55,000 - $65,000 depending on experience.  

At TU, we value a diverse representation of staff, and we actively seek candidates for this position who come from communities that have been historically under-represented in conservation and those who have been most impacted by degraded rivers and streams. We are committed to building space for all people to participate in our work to care for trout and salmon and clean our shared waters. 

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome you to read more about TU’s equity practice and values. 

HOW TO APPLY 

Please upload a Resume (including 3 references) and Cover Letter using TU's Paylocity application system linked below. 

https://www.tu.org/about/jobs-and-internships/ 

Review of applications will begin on November 22nd , 2024 and will continue until position is filled. 

TU is an Equal Employment Opportunity & Affirmative Action Employer pursuant to 

Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act & Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistant Act. 

TU hires staff without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status or disability