Stewardship Coordinator

TERM: 2 year appointment. May be extended depending on new funding sources that are acquired. 

Friends of Netarts Bay Watershed, Estuary, Beach, and Sea (WEBS) is a small 501(c)3 non-profit working to sustain the Netarts Bay area through education and stewardship. We strive to offer opportunities for k-12 students and the general public to learn, engage in science, and take action to preserve the watersheds, estuaries, beaches, and sea spanning from Cape Meares to Cape Lookout. WEBS is composed of passionate volunteers and staff with various skills who love the outdoors, science, education, and our local area. 

OUR MISSION: 

Sustain the Netarts Bay area and surrounding watershed through education and stewardship. 

OUR WORK: 

• Education: WEBS supports 9 fully funded Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) field trip programs with Tillamook County Schools. WEBS also organizes and funds over 30 free public education programs each year. 
• Stewardship: WEBS focuses its education programs around stewardship and works to provide the public with opportunities to participate in community science and stewardship activities such as invasive plant removal and beach cleanups. 

Stewardship Coordinator

The Stewardship Coordinator represents WEBS and provides leadership for our community science, stewardship, and restoration work. The primary responsibilities of the Coordinator are to support and expand our stewardship and community science activities, handle inquiries on research and community outreach needs from other organizations or groups, and pursue various restoration, research, or monitoring efforts that are priorities of the Friends of Netarts Bay WEBS. The Coordinator will work in partnership with the Executive Director and closely with other staff members. 

Expand Stewardship, Community Science, and Restoration Activities:

• Develop a stewardship plan and report to prioritize community science and restoration projects, including the maintenance of current programs 
• Evaluate the effectiveness of current community science and restoration programs including how well they support the WEBS mission and improve the health of our natural resources
• Set priorities for additional stewardship programs based on effectiveness, appropriateness to our mission, and organizational and volunteer capacity
• Act as the point person for restoration/stewardship projects brought to WEBS
• Pursue opportunities for restoration, such as native plants, native oysters, shorebird habitat, etc. 
• Connect with local, state, and federal agencies and organizations working on similar goals 
• Work to compile relevant water quality information for Netarts Bay and investigate how data is used by researchers 
• Initiate new stewardship and community science programs

Support and Lead Current Community Science and Stewardship Activities:

• Help coordinate and assist with various bay and beach cleanup projects 
• Assist in coordinating WEBS adopted NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring sites
• Recruit volunteers and assist with WEBS supported partner programs
• Support stewardship work with Oregon State Parks, particularly with projects impacting bay health 

Outreach and Communication

• Act as liaison with local agencies
• Attend local public meetings related to wastewater management as they relate to bay health and bay supported industries 
• Evaluate areas where WEBS can assist with known and potential issues impacting the ecosystem
• Communicate and connect with Bay stakeholders
• Work with WEBS staff to recommend community education and outreach events addressing sustainability, natural resources, impacts, and research 
• Collaborate and support blue economy industries compatible with our mission (e.g. building on our strong relationship with the oyster industry, building partnerships with ocean fishing industries, etc.)  
• Assist WEBS staff with volunteer recruitment and trainings
• As needed, assist with outreach to local businesses, Tillamook County Visitors Association, Oregon Coast Visitors Association, local agencies, and residents to recruit stewardship volunteers 
• Assist with and/or host training events
• Work with WEBS staff to recommend community programs that double as training events with the goal of increasing community knowledge of natural resources, helping to elevate interest in stewardship
• Grant Writing
• Assist with and/or write grants in support of stewardship projects and staff time
• Work closely with a contracted grant and fundraising specialist, as applicable

Qualifications:

Required: background in ecology, wildlife, botany, or a natural resource field; good organizational skills; good written and oral communication skills; and the ability to work independently and as part of a team. 

Prior experience may be transferable even if it falls outside the minimum requirements and preferred qualifications listed below. People interested in our organization’s work and the scope of this position are encouraged to apply. 

Education / Work Experience:

Bachelor or higher degree in estuarine science/ecology, environmental sciences, biological sciences, oceanography, or closely related STEAM discipline. Work experience and other training may substitute for degree requirements:

• Associate’s degree with relevant work experience and vocational training certificate in appropriate fields of study/work 
• Multiple years of work experience with proven success and vocational training certificate in appropriate fields of study/work 

Skills and Desired Attributes:

• Ability to manage both office and fieldwork. Fieldwork includes hands-on stewardship work in a variety of weather conditions, hiking through brushy and/or steep terrain while carrying tools and field equipment. 
• Passionate about the WEBS mission 
• Enjoy working both independently and as part of a team, including volunteers and partners from varied backgrounds
• Ability to work collaboratively with the public
• Self-starter able to work independently and advance projects 
• Strong organizational skills, good attention to detail, and ability to juggle multiple time-sensitive projects
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally, in written form and orally.
• Experience with volunteer recruitment 
• Experience with stakeholder and community outreach
• Willing to engage in WEBS efforts to increase diversity, equity, justice, and inclusion throughout the organization
• English language proficiency with preference given to bilingual applicants proficient in Spanish
• Familiar with non-profit work (preferred but not required)
• Grant writing and project management 
• Comfortable with using computers and utilizing common office software including Google Workspace and Google-based applications
• Valid driver’s license and a reliable vehicle that can be used for field visits

Work Conditions

• WEBS works in Netarts Bay and the surrounding watershed. We have a small office in Netarts. Field sites are within the Netarts Watershed which includes the areas around Cape Lookout through Cape Meares, Oregon
• Weekend and evening work may be required. Full and part-time staff manage their work over a flexible 7-day workweek
• This position will be a blend of hybrid and in-person office work/meetings. In collaboration with the position’s supervisor, employees can work remotely, contingent upon tasks, responsibilities, and successful completion of work duties
• Travel during work hours is expected. Reimbursement of travel to and from the WEBS office is provided. This does not include travel to commute to and from home

Benefits: 10 paid holidays, 2 paid floating holidays, paid vacation and sick leave, and Retirement and health stipends available for full-time employees.