Executive Director

Great Basin Water Network seeks an Executive Director who is energetic, charismatic and highly motivated, with management experience and strategic vision, and excellent communication and writing skills. This position is a remote position located in Nevada or Utah.

About the Organization

The Great Basin Water Network (GBWN) (www.greatbasinwater.org) is a small but successful and respected nonprofit organization whose mission is to protect locally sustainable water uses, natural resources and the public interest through communication, coordination, research, science, education, litigation, and advocacy in the extended Great Basin.

We promote sustainable water management in the West by partnering with directly affected communities grappling with dangerous development, aridification, drought and warming. With collaboration and independent thinking at the forefront, we bring a diverse voice to human and ecological communities in the regulatory, judicial and legislative arenas. Our watchdog functions, educational outreach and governmental engagement ensure a well-informed public that participates in decision-making.

GBWN History

We are a network (composed) of urban and rural, ranchers and farmers, counties and communities, Native American tribes, hunters, anglers, hikers, conservationists, and businesses committed to the careful assessment of water projects and their environmental, social and economic consequences. GBWN was founded in 2005 in response to the renewed push by Southern Nevada Water Authority to drain all the “unappropriated” groundwater from rural portions of eastern and central Nevada. The groundwater development project, known as the “Las Vegas Water Grab” was first proposed in 1989.

About the Position: Executive Director

The Executive Director provides visionary and strategic leadership for GBWN, reporting to the Board of Directors, and specifically the President of the Board. This is a full-time position, responsible for overseeing the day-to-day administration, programs and staff, and contracting attorneys and other consultants, as well as managing its financial health.

The Executive Director has overall responsibility for the planning, development, implementation, assessment and improvement of the mission-related programs, revenue generation and financial management, strategic and annual planning, partnerships, community relations, legislative and government relations, public relations, and other key areas. The E.D. serves as the primary spokesperson for the organization with funders, stakeholders and the media.

 Administrative Responsibilities

Organizational Management

• Foster an inclusive, positive and collaborative work culture.
• Manage bookkeeping and records.
• Ensure monthly reporting and communication from contractors, including for social media, outreach and donor management system.
• Recruit. Manage and mentor volunteers and interns in the work of the organization. Engage and manage other professionals in finance and administration.

Fundraising

• Lead all fundraising efforts, including gift cultivation, donor stewardship, grant applications, requests to foundations, corporations and other sources. Provide updates and reports to funders as needed.
• Raise sufficient funds to sustain and grow the organization.
• Support Board and other fundraising activities to benefit GBWN, including fundraising letters to existing list and base and appeals via the website and social media, and the print newsletter.

Board Relations

• Encourages board members to participate in the policy decision making of the organization.
• Serve as a liaison between Board and the broader Network of supporters, and between the Board and contracting water attorneys.
• Formally and informally present reports, updates and results to the Board on a periodic basis which will include regular board meetings and specific committee meetings of the Board.

Network Outreach and Communication

• Frequent effective communication with diverse network participants.
• Contribute and manage website content and oversee content and process for biannual print newsletter.
• Engage existing and new constituencies while maintaining relationships in our diverse network and amplifying our messages in media of all kinds.
• Conduct outreach and education for civic groups, media, next generation and urban and rural constituencies.

Current Program Activities

• Ensure the ongoing excellence of all programs and oversee the execution of research, education and advocacy initiatives.
• Maintain GBWN’s position and expertise as a go-to voice and source of information on Colorado River issues, with a focus on reservoirs, new storage projects and diversions.
• Relations/initiatives with Tribes – Assist our Tribal partners (as fiscal sponsor as needed, strategic consultation, liaison in legal and other matters of mutual concern.) What else?
• Continue leading role in opposing the Central Iron County Water Conservancy District West Desert Water Project through the administrative, legislative and legal processes.
• Influence public policy and outcomes on mining projects that target brines in deep, ancient aquifer systems.
• Continue opposition efforts against the Steptoe Valley/Duck Range pumped hydropower project.
• Address the water/energy nexus, particularly as it pertains to data centers and crypto currencies development in the Great Basin.
• Advocate for conservation of water and public lands and oppose sprawl developments that threaten both.

Leadership Competencies 

• As a leader of GBWN, the Executive Director is expected to demonstrate the following leadership competencies: communicates effectively; acts with courage; strategizes; engages others; collaborates; shows initiative. The ability to work cooperatively and productively with a wide variety of stakeholders is critical and includes legislators; state, tribal, federal and local officials; the Board of Directors; donors and sponsors; community partners, business leaders; the media; community members and all Network participants.
• Ability to acquire knowledge and passion for natural resource conservation, specifically regarding water use, conservation and policy in the extended Great Basin.
• Ability to engage volunteers in the work of the organization.
• Familiarity with the basics of western water law, experience with media relations. Working knowledge of Nevada water law, protest process and administrative law processes. Ability to read and synthesize legal briefs and opinions related to GBWN’s current and future legal work.
• Ability to communicate with legislators and allies, and to read and interpret bills and offer testimony to committees. Knowledge of legislative process in Nevada and Utah preferred.

Required Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree and three years of experience in management and fundraising preferred. Public sector, private sector or NGO experience will be considered.  Job requires a current driver’s license and access to reliable transportation to remote rural areas.
• Familiarity with the basics of western water law, experience with media relations.
• Work from home.  Must locate in Nevada or Utah.

Salary/compensation

$75,000 – $85,000 DOE.

This is a full-time, at-will position with a healthcare stipend and travel reimbursement provided. 

GBWN is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To Apply

Interested candidates should send their resume, cover letter and a writing sample to GBWN Board at  board@greatbasinwater.org with subject line GBWN Executive Director.

Position will be open until filled.