About Washington Water Trust

Washington Water Trust (WWT) is a non-regulatory, 501(c)(3) nonprofit leader in river and stream flow restoration. We use voluntary, market-based transactions and cooperative partnerships to create balanced solutions that produce environmental, economic and social benefits for Washington’s communities, while serving our mission of improving flows in Washington’s most endangered rivers and streams.

Washington Water Trust is entering an exciting period of rapid growth responding to accelerating water supply issues across Washington state. The Project Manager joins a talented technical team whose members bring many years of experience in collaborative natural resource management, stream flow restoration, multi-stakeholder conservation projects, water banking and implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects.

WWT has offices in Seattle and Ellensburg, WA.

The Position

This full-time position based in our Ellensburg, WA office requires a candidate who will partner with landowners, tribes, conservation districts, land trusts, local, state and federal agencies to implement and fund innovative programs and projects with lasting benefits to endangered fish, streams and local economies. We are seeking candidates who embrace a collaborative approach and hold a technical skill set to deliver high quality projects.

Responsibilities and Expectations

• Develop effective working relationships that result in projects and/or proposals with water rights holders, public agencies, tribes, local governments, conservation and irrigation districts, and salmon recovery funders in WWT’s targeted basins.
• Research water rights, local hydrology, and ecological needs to strategically direct efforts, prioritize stream restoration opportunities and develop flow restoration projects.
• Develop and implement outreach strategies for water rights holders based on instream flow needs.
• Strong project management skills, including: task/timeline management, grant management and reporting, developing and tracking budgets and establishing and managing project metrics.
• Collaborative and able to coordinate with multiple stakeholders and team members to achieve a common goal.
• Demonstrate critical thinking and creative problem solving.
• Communicate effectively to diverse audiences from highly technical to the general public, both written and oral.
• Must be competent, well-prepared strategic negotiator.
• Participate in WWT compliance monitoring and compliance duties; analyze, report and track project and program outcome metrics, coordinate with staff to maintain project database.
• Develop new funding and program opportunities for organizational priorities.
• Self-directed and entrepreneurial—with the ability to identify and develop new opportunities for the organization.
• Must be willing to travel throughout Washington (primarily eastern Washington).
• Other duties as assigned.

Preferred Skills and Attributes

• Working knowledge and skills with ARCGIS or equivalent GIS software, digital cartography, and spatial analysis highly desired.
• Knowledge of western water rights laws.
• Understanding of agricultural practices.
• Knowledge of fisheries, western water management and watershed-based flow restoration techniques.
• Working knowledge of water markets or conservation easements.
• Experience developing conservation markets (water banks or ecosystem service models) a plus.

Experience and Education

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field required; graduate degree a plus.
• At least three years’ experience in natural resource management field.

Salary and Benefits

WWT offers competitive compensation commensurate with qualifications and experience. We also offer a generous benefits package which includes:  100 % paid coverage of health, vision, and dental insurance; 12 days of paid holidays; and 3 weeks paid vacation, sick leave, retirement contributions.

WWT is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual preference, gender identity, marital status, physical disability or veteran status.