Posted: November 13, 2018
Initial candidate review: December 10, 2018 (open until filled)

Job Title: Watershed Project Coordinator

This position is posted as a regular, full-time (40 hours per week), non-exempt position. Strong candidates who desire fewer hours (minimum 0.50 FTE, 20 hours per week) will also be considered (compensation package would be adjusted as appropriate). Please indicate in your cover letter if you are interested in a part-time position and the number of hours desired.
The Watershed Project Coordinator will report to the Executive Director and work closely with the Watershed Program Coordinator.
Note: HCCC currently has two job announcements posted, with some overlapping skills and responsibilities. Please look at both the Salmon Recovery Specialist and the Watershed Project coordinator job announcements and apply to the one for which you feel you are best suited.

HCCC Background

The Hood Canal Coordinating Council (HCCC) was established in 1985 as a watershed based council of governments. It consists of the five governments in the Hood Canal watershed: Jefferson, Kitsap and Mason Counties and the Port Gamble S’Klallam and Skokomish Tribes. The HCCC is a Washington State non-profit public benefit corporation with 501(c)(3) status and registered as a Charitable Organization with the State of Washington. For more information about HCCC, please visit our web page: www.hccc.wa.gov.
The Hood Canal Integrated Watershed Plan (IWP) sets the planning framework to achieve our regional vision of a future where Hood Canal residents and visitors benefit from, and coexist sustainably, with a healthy Hood Canal.
What does the IWP do?
  • Establishes five-year strategic priorities to guide regional actions towards this vision
  • Provides accountability for those strategic actions
  • Identifies gaps in the implementation of those actions
  • Enables continued evaluation and adaptive management of those actions
More information on the IWP and our ecosystem indicators for salmon, shellfish, forests and human wellbeing can be found on its online home, OurHoodCanal.org. The HCCC Board of Directors, and its sub-committee, the IWP Steering Committee, have identified key HCCC-owned actions to implement IWP strategic priorities. Two of those current priorities are the development of the Hood Canal Shellfish Initiative and the Hood Canal Landscape Assessment and Prioritization Tool.
As the Regional Recovery Organization for Hood Canal and Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca summer chum salmon, HCCC is entering an exciting phase of what may be the final stretch toward recovery of these key salmon populations. Strategic habitat restoration and smart hatchery and harvest management have led to revived population numbers that continue to show strong signs of resilient and robust stocks. HCCC is optimistically pursuing the final steps toward designating successful recovery, and potential delisting from the Endangered Species Act List. HCCC has outlined the work that remains to be accomplished, which includes localized habitat assessments, an assessment of the status of the remaining threats to summer chum recovery, and continued strategic restoration work. HCCC is hopeful that these actions will boost Hood Canal and Strait of Juan de Fuca summer chum to get over the final hurdles as we observe ocean and local water quality conditions’ effects on annual returns.

Position Description

The Watershed Project Coordinator will work with HCCC watershed program and salmon program staff to coordinate projects advancing and implementing the IWP and the Hood Canal and Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca Summer Chum Salmon Recovery Plan. This position may also assist in the development and implementation of other salmon recovery plans associated with HCCC.
The time split between responsibilities will vary with project timelines. Workplans will be developed with program coordinator(s) and executive director to determine specific balance of tasks between IWP implementation and summer chum recovery projects.

Responsibilities

The Watershed Project Coordinator will undertake the tasks below:
  • Support implementation of IWP watershed planning projects
    • Coordinate multi-stakeholder groups to guide project implementation for the development of the Hood Canal Shellfish initiative and the Hood Canal Landscape Assessment and Prioritization Tool
    • Support Watershed Program Coordinator in adaptive management of the IWP, including assessing effectiveness, updating goals and objectives based on current progress, and establishing near term priorities
    • Write project reports, and present findings to HCCC Board of Directors and other partners
    • Support IWP communication efforts, including maintaining the OurHoodCanal.org website, and other periodic communications products

Qualifications

Ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate experience working with multi-stakeholder groups to solve environmental problems, and develop and implement solutions. Ideal candidate will have experience managing complex projects, grant administration, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively with a team.
Candidate should have knowledge of watershed processes, the conditions that generate healthy salmon habitats and support water quality, and the role of land use and management systems on watershed health.

Key Qualifications

  • Minimum education: Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) in natural resources, environmental planning, public affairs, or similar and two years related professional experience, or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience, which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the position description.
  • Project management experience
  • Knowledge of ecology and habitats, salmon recovery, and watershed planning
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Demonstrated ability to flexibly work independently and collaboratively with a team

Desired Skills

The ideal candidate will possess one or more of the following:
  • Experience working in and/or knowledge of Hood Canal and Puget Sound specific environmental conditions and issues
  • Meeting facilitation skills
  • Group decision-making process facilitation experience
  • State/federal grant programs and grant-writing/reporting experience
  • Consultant/contractor management experience
  • GIS, and database management experience

Physical and Other Working Conditions

Work is conducted both in office and in field settings. The position involves some standing, walking, bending, reaching, and sitting for long periods of time; will occasionally require physical exertion such as walking over rough, muddy, slippery, swampy or mountainous terrain and in inclement weather. Essential tasks require typing/keyboard skills, computer and analytical skills, reading, speaking and listening; and field skills. May occasionally lift and carry of materials, equipment or other items weighing up to 25 lbs. Will be required to drive to various locations around the Hood Canal and Eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca watersheds and will need to rely on personal vehicle with adequate insurance coverage and driver’s license. The position may require working some evenings and weekends. The work location is the HCCC Poulsbo office (17791 Fjord Drive NE, Suite 118, Liberty Bay Marina) with some flexibility.

Compensation and Benefits

  • $24.90 – $26.00 per hour, depending on qualifications
  • Benefits package, including health insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, vacation, sick leave and paid holidays
  • Flexible work environment that may include both in-office and teleworking options, as negotiated with Executive Director

Start Date and Timeline

Submit applications by Sunday December 9 to be considered in the initial candidate review. Candidate review will begin immediately. Position will remain open until filled. You will be notified via email and phone of a request for an interview should the panel wish to interview you for further consideration. Initial interviews will take place at HCCC’s office.
The successful candidate will begin work immediately. Exact start date will be negotiated upon candidate selection.

Contact

Direct any questions and submit cover letter and resume with subject Watershed Project Coordinator to:
Robin Lawlis, Administrative Program Manager
360-271-2060

Equal Employment Opportunity

The HCCC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age [40 and over], pregnancy and childbirth, honorably discharged veteran or military status, disability, HIV and/or Hepatitis C status, use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, or
other protected class [legally recognized] under federal, state or local law. Our organization is committed to employing, advancing in employment, and otherwise treating qualified individuals with disabilities without discrimination based on their physical or mental disability in all employment practices. Contact Robin Lawlis to request a reasonable accommodation during the application process.