Water Restoration Project Manager

• Title: Water Restoration Project Manager
• Department: Watershed
• Reports to: Watershed Program Director
• Supervises: N/A
• Hours of Work: 40/hours week; exempt
• Pay Range: Starts at $39,000 annually

Job Summary

The Water Restoration Project Manager works with Rural Action’s Watershed Program team and partner organizations to develop, manage, and implement projects that improve water quality in Ohio. The Rural Action Watershed Program team is currently composed of 8 staff and 5 National Service members that the Restoration Project Manager will work with regularly. Partners organizations include but are not limited to ODNR, OEPA, Ohio University, County SWCDs, and ODA Watershed managers.

One of the essential functions of this position will be to coordinate existing projects as described below while also identifying and pursuing funding for other water quality improvement opportunities. A successful candidate must be able to manage multiple projects simultaneously, be self-motivated, and be knowledgeable about current water quality issues in Ohio.

Essential Functions

Project Design and Management
This position will work on a wide array of water quality projects and the candidate must be able to manage multiple projects at the same time. Several of the specific projects that this position will be responsible for are described below as examples of the type of work that will be performed. The candidate must also be flexible and able to assist with and/or lead other tasks – both in the office and in the field – as necessary, such as project development, landowner engagement, water quality monitoring, research, and grant proposal and agreement development. Projects that this position will initially focus on include:

• Work with the Watershed Program team and partners to implement and manage the Dillon Lake Wetland Project.
  • This project includes surveying, design, and construction of a wetland upstream from Dillon Lake, Muskingum County.
  • Manager’s responsibilities include partnerships coordination and oversight of project activities, including managing private consultants to ensure timely completion of work, progress reporting, and measuring success.
• Work with the Watershed Program team and partners to implement and manage the Gulf Hypoxia Septage Processing in Rural Southeast Ohio: Pathways, Innovation, and Education Project;
  • This project will be focused in Athens and Meigs Counties and includes outreach, research, monitoring, and planning around reducing the water quality impacts of wastewater.
  • Manager’s responsibilities include partnerships coordination and oversight of project activities, including planning and leading outreach and education events, conducting bacteria monitoring, researching alternative pathways for septage treatment, and aligning this work with funding opportunities and water quality goals.
• Work with the Watershed Program team and partners to complete Watershed Condition Framework Classification process for HUC 12 watersheds on Wayne National Forest.
  • This project includes assessing and ranking HUC 12 watersheds on the Marietta, Ironton, and Athens units of Wayne National forest following USFS protocols.
  • Manager’s responsibilities will include oversight of aquatic scoring and rationale development, tracking and reporting progress, and partnership coordination.
• Management and assistance with other projects as needed, including supporting the Watershed Program team’s regular water quality monitoring and macroinvertebrate and fish sampling efforts, particularly in the summer months.

Grant/Agreement Management and Development

• In coordination with the Watershed Program Director, complete regular reporting and updates for grants and agreements, including progress reports and contractor payments;
• Attend meetings to provide updates, as required, on project progress;
• Scope of work creation for projects under development;
• Assist Watershed team in identifying and securing resources for the continuation of Rural Action’s Watershed Program.

General Rural Action Watershed Program Duties

• Participate in regional and statewide partnerships surrounding watershed restoration in the Ohio River Basin, such as the Appalachian Ohio Watershed Council, Watershed Management Association of Ohio, and the Ohio River Basin Alliance;
• Represent Rural Action at events and give presentations on Rural Action and the Watershed Program as requested;
• Maintain social media presence and promote watershed events;
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience in environmental or watershed restoration;
• Knowledge of water quality issues in Ohio;
• Knowledge of watersheds and streams;
• Project management experience;
• Experience with landowner outreach, engagement, and environmental restoration project development;
• Self-starter with detail-oriented focus;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Integrity, credibility and commitment to Rural Action’s mission;
• Experience with Google Suite, Microsoft Word and Excel, database management, email and other computer software systems;
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed;
• Ability and proven experience working in the field in uncomfortable temperatures or weather conditions;
• Ability to carry 40lbs over uneven ground;
• Valid driver’s license and a reliable vehicle.

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume outlining your experience as it relates to this job description. Send materials to hr@ruralaction.org subject heading: Water Restoration Project Manager. The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is hired.

NOTE: The above noted job description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned but rather to give the applicant a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of his/her position. As the nature of business demands change so, too, may the essential functions of this position. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity

Rural Action is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and is committed to making employment decisions based on merit. We are committed to complying with any and all pertinent Federal, State and local laws providing equal employment opportunities, as well as all laws related to terms and conditions of employment.