Job Type Permanent
Salary Details $37,000-$40,000

Background
The North Fork John Day Watershed Council is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to planning, funding and implementing projects and programs that protect the health of the North/Middle Fork John Day River Watersheds, honor tribal treaty rights and provide long-term economic stability for the individuals and communities that rely on the watershed’s natural resources. The watershed covers 2,600 square miles drained by the North and Middle Forks of the John Day River with a rural economy based in ranching, forestry, hunting and fishing tourism and a population of 1,200. The John Day River is the longest un-dammed river in the western United States. It is also the last remaining major tributary of the Columbia River managed exclusively for wild anadromous fish.

General Description
The Restoration Project Coordinator will work closely with NFJDWC staff and numerous partners, landowners, and contractors to develop and manage habitat restoration projects from planning and grant writing, to overseeing and assisting with implementation actions, monitoring, and reporting. The position will work closely with the Council’s other Restoration Coordinator(s) to identify specific responsibilities, as well as supporting and tracking multiple ongoing projects. Clear communication and an ability to work independently and as part of a team are integral to the position. All projects will include communication with numerous conservation partners, including private landowners, business owners, community members and organizations, Tribes, contractors, coworkers, NFJDWC Board members, and more.

A valid driver’s license is required. NFJDWC vehicles are provided to staff for field visits, meetings, etc.. Occasionally, a personal vehicle may be required to perform work duties when a Council vehicle is not available. This is a rare occasion and personal mileage will be reimbursed at the current state mileage rate.
The position duties combine indoor and outdoor activities and require the ability to work both long hours moving around in the field and in a stationary position at a desk. Outdoor activities will include navigating work sites thick with brush and sites with steep and uneven terrain by foot, including moving across rocks, rocky stream banks, slick and uneven stream beds and downed logs. The position duties will require the essential functions of bending, stooping, and an ability to lift 35 pounds. Occasionally, the position may call for lifting up to 50 lbs as a non-essential function.

Compensation
This is a salaried, full-time exempt position. Full-time is considered 40 hours per week. Starting compensation will range from $37,000 – $40,000/year (DOE) and includes the following benefits:

  • Health Reimbursement Account: $6K annually for individual with dependents, or $4,950 annually for an individual (benefit amount depends on number of months employed in that calendar year and is available after 3 months with NFJDWC).
  • Paid time off: 200/hrs annual PTO plus 80/hrs annual sick leave (benefit amount depends on number of months employed in that calendar year

Summary of Position Responsibilities
1. Grant Writing/Fundraising (10%)

  • Works with the Executive Director and other staff to develop fundable project ideas consistent with the Council’s mission
  • Actively researches potential funding sources (public and private)
  • Write and submit competitive grant proposals to state and federal agencies, private foundations, and other sources of program funding

2. Project Management (50%)

  • Collaborate with landowners and partners to plan and implement complex short- and long-range projects related to restoration and landscape improvement within the North/Middle Fork John Day River watersheds
  • Prepare work plans, contracts, proposals, permitting, budgets, timelines, and deliverables for restoration projects and monitoring.
  • Schedule contractors, oversee work, write contracts for, and track contractors carrying out habitat restoration activities
  • Share project updates with landowners, NFJDWC staff, Board, partners, funders, and community.
  • Lead tours onsite for landowners, funders and partners
  • Pursue new funding sources and relationships

3. Monitoring & Stewardship (30%)

  • Organize project monitoring efforts
  • Conduct a variety of types of effectiveness monitoring on all restoration projects
  • Conducts contracted monitoring efforts and required reporting on Middle Fork John Day River Intensively Monitored Watershed
  • Stay abreast of other ecological monitoring efforts happening in the basin and incorporate into future restoration planning
  • Database management, including data entry, QA/QC tasks and database maintenance
  • Respond to data and metadata requests from partners

4. Community Engagement (5%)

  • Meet, schedule site visits with, and talk with landowners, technical partners, Tribal staff, community members, students and volunteers.
  • Strengthen existing relationships with landowners on behalf of the Council and develop new connections
  • Participate in Council fundraising/networking opportunities
  • Represent NFJDWC at community events, public meetings, and partnership meetings

5. Administrative (5%)

  • Participate in regular staff and board meetings, and partner meetings
  • Fill out bi-monthly timesheets and expense reimbursements
  • Participate in weekly staff meetings
  • Write weekly staff report for Executive Director
  • Participate in staff strategic planning efforts
  • Participate in weekly staff chores

6. Other Duties as Assigned

  • Nothing in this job description restricts the supervisor’s or organization’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Qualifications and Experience
Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in aquatic ecology, fisheries biology, hydrology, or other watershed science or related field, OR at least 3 years related experience.
  • Experience overseeing and inspecting contractor, crew or volunteer work
  • Experience working with diverse partners, including private landowners, staff from government agencies, and contractors; and a strong respect for diversity in knowledge types, viewpoints, and perspectives
  • Demonstrated professional skills including work planning, time management, and organization; excellent verbal and written communication
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ArcGIS and/or Google Earth software and handheld GPS
  • Self-motivated, resourceful, results-oriented.
  • Ability to multi-task
  • Willing and able to work occasional weekends and evenings.
  • Pass pre-employment criminal background and DMV check and drug screening.

Desired

  • Experience writing and securing grant funding and securing contributions from project partners
  • Community outreach experience, specifically in regards to watershed health
  • Water quality monitoring, including data collection and management, and interpretation of results
  • Interest and/or experience in working with the ecocultural contexts of habitats and land management techniques
  • Knowledge and experience of ESA listed species issues and solutions
  • Experience planting and managing plantings
  • Ability to identify native and non-native trees, shrubs and forbs in the John Day basin, including working knowledge of upland, wetland, and riparian plant communities
  • Familiarity with Scientific data collection protocols, data management and QA/QC.
  • Database use and maintenance experience. R and Python programming language experience.
  • General knowledge of local, state, and federal environmental laws as well as local, state, and federal permitting requirements as they relate to watershed restoration.
HOW TO APPLYTo Apply:

  • Please submit your application materials via email to valeen@nfjdwc.org
  • Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted
  • Please email questions about the position or hiring process to valeen@nfjdwc.org
  • All emails regarding the position must have “Restoration Project Coordinator” in the subject line

Application Materials:

  • Resume- include an email address and contact number
  • Three professional references- phone numbers and your affiliation
  • Cover letter- 2 pages or less and includes:
    1. Highlights of your knowledge, skills, abilities, and past experiences in describing what you would bring to this position, referencing the position responsibilities.
    2. A description of what approaches and insights help in working with a diverse watershed community, including rural landowners, community members, and contractors

Interview Process & Security Clearance
Please note the interview process will include a phone or in-person interview, possibly with multiple NFJDWC staff. Upon hiring, the applicant will need to pass a background clearance check.

The North Fork John Day Watershed Council is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for this position without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, veteran status, class, or sexual orientation.