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 develop solutions to meet 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 water supply issues across Washington state. The Project Associate joins a talented technical team whose members bring many years of experience in 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

The Project Associate is a full-time position which provides critical support to WWT project managers in identifying, developing and implementing flow restoration projects alongside landowners, tribes, conservation districts, land trusts, local, state and federal agencies. WWT staff works collaboratively with these partners to create lasting benefits to threatened aquatic species and improve sustainability of watersheds. Candidates should have interest and enthusiasm for living and/or working in rural communities.

Responsibilities and Expectations

• Work with WWT staff to develop partnerships, strategies, and projects in collaboration with water rights holders, public agencies, tribes, local governments, conservation and irrigation districts, and salmon recovery funders in WWT’s targeted basins.
• Quickly learn and apply knowledge about water management, water rights, local hydrology, and ecological needs to strategically direct outreach efforts and prioritize stream restoration opportunities.
• Support WWT project managers in development of flow restoration transactions, including ecological and economic justifications, due-diligence reviews, legal agreements, and water right change applications.
• Participate in WWT compliance monitoring and compliance duties; analyze, report and track project and program outcome metrics, coordinate with staff to maintain project database.
• Participate in outreach strategies for water rights holders based on instream flow needs.
• Develop new funding and program opportunities for organization’s priorities.
• Communicate effectively, in both written and presentation formats, from highly technical to the general public audiences.
• Willingness to travel throughout Washington, including three-five days/month of overnight travel.

Skills and Attributes

• Knowledge of Washington water law, administration, and stream flow restoration tools.
• Understanding of principles of hydrology and aquatic ecology
• Understanding of agricultural practices.
• Working knowledge of water markets or conservation easements.
• Strong organizational skills, including task management, the ability to develop timelines, to develop and track budgets, and work within project metrics.
• ArcGIS or equivalent and related spatial analysis skills highly desired.
• Be self-directed, as well as able to work under direction of other project staff
• Ability to effectively collaborate and coordinate among multiple stakeholders and team members.
• Demonstrated critical thinking and creative problem solving

Experience and Education

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field required; graduate degree a plus.
• At least 1-3 years’ experience in a 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 paid vacation/sick leave, retirement contributions.

WWT is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are based on organizational needs, skills and merit, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability or veteran status.  WWT values diversity and inclusiveness in the work place.