Resilient Water Program Manager

About YVSC

Yampa Valley Sustainability Council (YVSC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Steamboat Springs, CO (Routt County) (www.yvsc.org). Established in 2009, YVSC is guided by the mission, “to serve as a leader, resource and catalyst for building a sustainable and resilient Yampa Valley region.” Recognizing the urgent need to address climate change, YVSC is focused on serving as a regional hub for climate mitigation and adaptation actions that put Northwest on track to a lower-carbon and more resilient future. YVSC works to reduce carbon emissions and build resilience to current and project changes through our four Priority Areas: Energy, Transportation, Resilient Land and Water and Waste/Circularity. We use a range of approaches to advance action on the ground, including: programs, partnerships, planning, policy development and advocacy, project implementation, trainings and educational workshops, conferences and speaker events.

Position Description

The Resilient Water Program Manager will be a key member of the Resilient Land and Water Priority Area at YVSC, reporting to the Resilient Land and Water Director and working collaboratively with a range of program staff to support, establish, manage, monitor and report on the science-driven and community-engaged initiatives. The Resilient Water Program Manager sits at the interface of science and community action, and strives to connect relevant research and data with increased public understanding of how water in the west is changing due to climate change and what we can do about it. The goal of the program is to link education with action so that YVSC can support the community in scaling up water conservation actions across key sectors and adaptive capacity and resilience to a warmer and drier future. The program also seeks to increase local access to and understanding of relevant science and data to improve water management decision-making and conservation outcomes across stakeholders. This position is integral to the success of the Program, providing YVSC with the kinds of technical, managerial, and collaborative leadership that are essential to defining, launching, implementing and reporting on the Program as it continues to build.

The Opportunity

The Resilient Water Program Manager functions at the interface of science and community action, seeking out and defining ways to increase translation and dialogue between relevant research, decision- makers and the community on issues pertaining to water scarcity, conservation and climate change. Principal program management responsibilities will include:

• Regularly work with the Executive Director and YVSC Directors to continue implementing program activities in relevant and impactful ways.
• Develop and expand existing relationships and multidisciplinary collaborations with key partners and water users in the Yampa River Basin to foster collaboration, knowledge-sharing and scaled impact.
• Manage projects related to research on water resource change and work to ensure permits, project deliverables and timelines are achieved (e.g. the scaling up of the YBASIN Soil Moisture Monitoring Network).
• Manage water conservation program initiatives and projects, such as YVSC’s urban/built environment water conservation program, turf replacement tools and resources (e.g. Yampascaping), etc.
• Support the planning and implementation of conferences, workshops and training sessions that increase research-practitioner collaboration, learning and water resource conservation in the Yampa Basin.
• Engage in and support Basin-level planning and management meetings and efforts.
• Have a strong understanding of Colorado water policy and support regional-state efforts to increase resilience and drought planning and pathways, testify on legislation, connect funding to local/regional opportunities and serve on appropriate water policy and planning boards (e.g. Yampa-White-Green Roundtable, etc. ).
• Build and maintain strategic program partnerships.
• Perform (may include YVSC Intern/student training) field data collection and monitoring protocols needed to ensure the success of the program and related partnerships.
• Maintain clear reporting of program activities for grant reports and key deliverables.
• Regularly review and synthesize relevant scientific literature for public/partner outreach (e.g. technical and non-technical papers and memos, donor reports, oral presentation of results to technical and non-technical parties, etc.).
• Support with the translation of research findings and best available science into project guidelines, tools, and/or best practice for the organization and the broader conservation community.
• Contribute to and/or lead community education and outreach initiatives that support and advance program and organizational goals.
• Work with YVSC communication staff to develop communication materials for YVSC events, media and advertising in order to accurately convey program successes and relevance.
• Participate in monthly YVSC community meetings and other meetings as needed for program development and outreach.
• Coordinate and work with interns and volunteers for community-involved program events.
• Participate in and support other YVSC activities, events and community engagement opportunities to ensure the success and growth of the organization.

Qualifications

• B.S./B.A. degree and five years of professional experience in water resource conservation or related field preferred, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Master’s degree and five years of professional experience preferred.
• Experience managing complex and/or multiple projects on time and on budget.
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups, landowners and/or government agencies and municipalities.
• Understanding of Colorado water policy.
• Experience influencing, developing and implementing water resource conservation and strategic plans.
• Demonstrated results in developing and implementing creative, collaborative strategies to address complex conservation challenges.
• Self-motivated worker capable of being productive when working independently.
• Knowledge of freshwater resource conservation practice and conservation science.
• ArcGIS training and experience analyzing field and remotely sensed data.
• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
• Ability to work independently, creatively and proactively to solve problems.
• Strong team player who can build productive relationships and work collaboratively across the organization, with local, state and federal partners, and community members.

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this FT Resilient Water Program Manager position is $57,850-$67,427 to start, commensurate with education and experience. Yampa Valley Sustainability Council offers a competitive benefits package, including full medical, dental, long-term disability, life insurance coverage and retirement savings contributions, as well as paid time off, paid holidays, holiday bonuses and professional development funding. YVSC offers a flexible work schedule, as this position may require attendance at evening and weekend events, but the position will be based at the YVSC office in Steamboat Springs. This is not a hybrid/remote position.