TITLE: Project Manager
SUPERVISOR: Executive Director
LOCATION: Eastern Washington
POSITION CATEGORY: Part-time Exempt (32 hours with the potential for moving to full-time)

Washington Water Trust (WWT) is a nonprofit organization working statewide to preserve and restore rivers and streams throughout Washington. We specialize in navigating the intricacies of water rights and water law consulting with agricultural producers, tribes, conservation districts, land trusts, state and federal agencies, to gain perspective, knowledge and opportunities for successful collaboration. Through partnerships using market-based approaches we develop water management alternatives that produce environmental, economic and social benefits for Washington state.

POSITION SUMMARY:
WWT seeks a dedicated Project Manager to join our team of five in river restoration. The applicant would join a talented, fun and energetic project team with over four decades of experience in the conservation field. Working with landowners and partnering agencies in eastern Washington, the Project Manager will develop projects to preserve and restore stream flows. This position requires self-motivation, ingenuity, clear writing ability, strong communication and interpersonal skills, attention to details, the ability to work independently and build collaborative efforts among diverse stakeholders. Working knowledge of water rights law, working agricultural practices, hydrology, conservation real estate acquisition and negotiating expertise are desired in this position. The Project Manager will collaborate with the Executive Director and staff on program planning, project development, reporting, and outreach/education. The position requires regular travel across eastern Washington.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Develop positive working relationships with local watershed groups, public agency staff, water right holders and others facilitating stream restoration in WWT’s targeted basins.
• Cultivate and manage acquisition opportunities with water right holders.
• Research and prepare ecological, economic, financial, legal and political information to evaluate water acquisition projects.
• Negotiate water right acquisition agreements approved by WWT board and manage all due diligence
• Coordinate transfer of acquired rights through the Washington Department of Ecology’s Water Trust Program.
• Oversee monitoring efforts to insure that WWT’s instream acquisitions are enforced instream, consistent with their priority date.
• Work with Executive Director to identify/secure funding for acquisitions and complete project reports for funding entities.
• Represent and support WWT interests through presentation opportunities at meetings and conferences.
• Support WWT board and executive director to advocate and influence policies promoting instream flow strategies.
• Manage project files, databases, and all supporting scientific and economic information.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Two to three years of experience negotiating real estate or water right acquisition agreements for conservation purposes, or equivalent experience, preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field preferred.
• Excellent communication/interpersonal skills and ability to negotiate successfully.
• Knowledge of natural resource issues and local communities in eastern Washington highly valued.
• Knowledge of natural resource, agriculture and/or water policy issues.
• Knowledge of fisheries and stream hydrology desired.
• Field experience with evaluation and monitoring of biological systems preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups.
• Proficiency with Word, Excel, PowerPoint (ESRI ARCVIEW or equivalent GIS software a plus)
• Willingness to travel frequently throughout the state.

COMPENSATION:
Competitive salary based on experience, insurance, paid vacation and holidays

APPLICATION:
Submit a resume and cover letter as soon as possible to: Susan Adams, Executive Director at susan@thewatertrust.org or mail to 810 Third Avenue, Suite 180, Seattle, WA 98104