Pure Water Partners Program Coordinator

Posted: March 20, 2024

Applications Due:  Open until filled. To be considered for the initial round of interviews applications must be received by April 12, 2024

Job Title: Pure Water Partners Program Coordinator  

Employer: The McKenzie Watershed Alliance is the employer of record. The Alliance is the fiscal sponsor of the McKenzie Watershed Council. The position will work cooperatively with the Pure Water Partners.

Direct Supervisor: MWA Executive Director

Location: McKenzie Watershed Council office is located at 175 West B Street, Bldg D, Springfield, OR 97477. Fieldwork focuses on McKenzie River Watershed.

Status: Exempt (1.0 FTE, 40 hours/week), 

Pay: $68,000 – $73,000/annually based on experience.

Benefits: Medical and dental stipend, competitive paid time off package, short-term disability, and SIMPLE IRA retirement plan with up to 3% employer match.

Duration: Permanent. Desired start date is immediate based on availability.

Position Summary

The MWA seeks an organized, thoughtful, and skilled communicator to join our team as the Pure Water Partners (PWP) Program Coordinator. The PWP promotes voluntary partnerships among private landowners and local organizations working to protect and enhance McKenzie River Watershed’s natural resources. PWP member organizations include Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB), McKenzie River Trust (MRT), Upper Willamette Soil and Water Conservation District (UWSWCD), and the MWC. 

This position will work collaboratively with MWA staff and partner organizations to coordinate the PWP program. Duties will include supporting and assisting PWP project managers in all aspects of their work, maintaining communications among partners, tracking PWP operations, and meeting coordination and facilitation. This position will serve as the direct supervisor to MWA staff involved in PWP work. Management staff from the MWA, UWSWCD, and EWEB will serve as an advisory team to the position.

Key Responsibilities

PWP Coordination (60% FTE)

• Participate in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, (DEI) and Decolonization trainings and workshops and support integration of these principles throughout the PWP.
• Facilitate and support partner working relationships.
• Assist with development and coordination of training opportunities.
• Coordinate all levels of inter-program communications including between management and field, among partners, and different program elements.
• Plan, convene, facilitate, and provide follow-up for a subset of PWP meetings. Duties will include agenda development, meeting logistics, and developing and providing meeting materials. Meetings may include:
  • Quarterly partnership meetings with PWP organizations,
  • Regular meetings of the PWP field staff and management representatives.
  • A subset of PWP committee meetings.
  • Weekly coordination meetings with SWCD and EWEB managers around program management, operations, and troubleshooting.
• Manage the PWP calendar of operations, partner input, and decision-making from meetings.
• Work as a team to share data and outcomes with partners for internal prioritization. This may include presentation to the Boards of all partner organizations.
• Assist or lead with grant and program reports.
• Work as part of a PWP team to develop and submit grants.
• Assist with strategic planning as part of PWP Management Team.

Supervision (30% FTE)

• Supervise PWP-focused staff from the MWA.
• Review and approve timesheets from direct reports at MWA.
• Complete annual performance reviews for all direct reports at MWA.

Administration (10% FTE)

• Complete personal timesheets, position training, and continuing education.
• Participate in the MWA management team.
• Attend quarterly MWA Board of Director and monthly MWC meetings.
• Participate in other activities and tasks which contribute to the mission of the MWA and PWP as assigned.

Position Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree with major course work in collaboration, human resources, and personnel management is desired. Any combination of education, professional, or lived experience that prepares the applicant to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position will be considered.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Self- motivated & organized, able to track multiple, complex workflows.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Strong leadership qualities.
• Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in all aspects of the workplace or lived experience.
• Commitment to collaborative teamwork.
• Familiarity with programs such as Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, Avenza, Slack, Dropbox, and Google suite. The position will use the asset management tool Cartegraph.
• A valid driver’s license, auto insurance, and reliable personal transportation are required. The MWA reimburses employees at the State of Oregon mileage rates (as of January 2024, $0.67/mile).
• Willingness to have a flexible work schedule. Some nights and weekends will be required.
• Ability to participate on field visits to work project sites with uneven surfaces, dense vegetation, and adjacent to moving water.
• The position requires sitting, typing, standing, and carrying up to 40 pounds.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Direct supervisory experience.
• Experience with meeting facilitation.
• Experience with collaborative processes.
• Knowledge and experience working in conservation and environmental restoration field.
• Personal connection to the McKenzie River and local communities
• Experience working for 501 (c) non-profit organizations.
• Experience with GIS and ESRI suite of products.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

The McKenzie Watershed Alliance is committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and providing equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status or any other protected category under federal, state and local law. Per the Americans with Disabilities Act, job requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. However, no accommodation will be made that may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others or impose undue hardships on the organization and partners. The MWA maintains its status as an at-will employer.

On Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice

The McKenzie Watershed Alliance recognizes the reality of modern-day systemic racism that has maintained disparities that limit opportunities for groups of people based on race, culture, and other characteristics. We realize that our current programs, partnerships, and funding priorities are constructs of the society in which they were developed and reflect elements of power and privilege. With this understanding, we believe that an organizational commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion is essential to the success of the Alliance and the development of a more resilient watershed and community. Organizational success toward this goal is rooted in the theory of change that begins with personal understanding and commitment. 

The McKenzie Watershed Alliance is an equal opportunity employer.

Please submit questions regarding the application process to the McKenzie Watershed Alliance Executive Director, Jared Weybright, jared@mckenziewc.org.