Watershed Program Coordinator

Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.  The work you’ll do is more than just a job.  Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.  This Snake River Watershed Program Coordinator position will have the privilege of working with a seven-member partnership, their staff and the watershed’s stakeholders and landowners.  The work will be guided by the new Snake River Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan’s targeted priority areas and the watershed grant’s work plan budget.  The ultimate goals are for improved water quality and increased protection and restoration of our natural resources. 

The position is generally three-fold.  It will involve coordinating the watershed programs and projects with the watershed staff partners.  It will involve coordinating the outreach activities and developing watershed outreach materials, in conjunction with the watershed staff partners.  Lastly is will include watershed technical project development with landowners / partners throughout Kanabec County.  Much of this work will be done in conjunction with the watershed coordinator/district manager, with the Kanabec SWCD.  The watershed coordinator/district manager will lead on the management of the watershed meetings, budget and grant applications.  

Building relationships with landowners is crucial to this position.  The Watershed Program Coordinator experiences the joy of working with landowners through a project from start to finish.  This position works independently and in a team environment in coordination with other conservation professionals and partners.  Forming and maintaining partnership relationships are key to this position.  The specific duties of this position will change, as the needs of the Snake River Watershed change.  Adjusting to these changes will be expected with this position.

Partnership Mission:

The mission of the Snake River Watershed Plan Partnership (SRWPP) is to implement the Snake River Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan. The Partnership seeks to facilitate collaboration across its member entities and connect landowners with the resources needed to manage their natural resources.  The SRWPP strives to work with and empower landowners and partners in the restoration and protection of the watershed’s natural resources.

SNAKE RIVER WATERSHED PROGRAM COORDINATOR –

POSITION DESCRIPTION (Date Approved:  10/25/23) The position provides the project management for the Snake River Watershed as a full-time hourly employee or contract position, working 40-hour weeks with occasional evening and weekends.  The Watershed Program Coordinator oversees watershed activities working with our partnering Soil & Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) and County staff and interacts with the Snake River Watershed Plan Partnership Board (SRWPP), which provides guidance and direction.  This position is hired and supervised through the Kanabec Soil & Water Conservation District (KSWCD). 

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

General duties in managing the Snake River Watershed including but not limited to: (overview)

• Manages projects for implementation of the Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan for Aitkin, Kanabec, Mille Lacs and Pine Counties’ as they impact the Snake River Watershed.
• Provides guidance in project management to the SWCD partnering staff
• Promotes a positive working environment
• Provides assistance to the Snake River Watershed Plan Partnership Board (SRWPP) and its’ committees, as requested.
• Assists with project development with partners. This may include direct landowner contacts, technical work and project coordination.

Project Management in the Watershed including but not limited to: (16% – estimated time)

• Reviews projects as needed with individual SWCD staff and keep abreast of the progress of all projects in the watershed. Projects may be reviewed at board/committee meetings.
• Maintains an excellent working relationship with partnering agencies, local, state and federal agencies and representatives as well as with the media.
• Follows the Snake River Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan (referred hereafter as the Plan) as appropriate.
• Works cooperatively with area lake associations or other partner organizations and individuals for the implementation of the Plan.
• Interacts with the SRWPP members (Counties and Soil & Water Conservation Districts) to cooperatively implement and manage specific water quality improvement projects approved by the SRWPP Board.
• Aides in collaboration with the SRWPP members in grant writing.
• Assistance as identified in the Water Planning Process, to be determined.

Education & Outreach activities including but not limited to: (33%)

• Prepares and distributes educational material to residents of the Snake River Watershed that serve to raise the awareness about the activities of the Snake River Watershed Plan Partnership (SRWPP), as well as supply watershed residents with opportunities and information to understand the human impact on the watershed.
• Provides routine updates on watershed activities and progress on the plan to the board, committees and our partners.
• Leads in the watershed coordination of outreach / education that strategically advance the biennial work plan goals with the public, partner organizations and the SRWPP partners and Board.  Public engagement may involve local efforts of various events types and formats to build understanding about the SRWPP goals and the quality of the natural resources within the watershed.

Financial Management includes but is not limited to: (6%)

• Provides funding opportunities for conservation work to land owners in the Snake River Watershed to implement conservation practices that will improve and protect the water quality of the Snake River Watershed.

Provide input and aid in watershed planning & progress presentations: (6%)

• Provides input and aid in tracking progress and presenting progress outcomes.
• Aids in working with the partner organizations to identify annual goals, referencing resource documents (WRAPS, Landscape Stewardship Plans, 1W1P, TMDL, the Plan etc.) and help in the preparation of minimally a biennial work plan with approval from the SRWPP.
• Aids in the preparation of at least a biennial work plan with all partner organizations.  Lead in coordinating watershed-wide project management and aid in the presentation of the Plan’s implementation progress.

Administrative Responsibilities include: (6%)

• Promotes teamwork and a positive work environment
• Aids in the development and completion of reports as required
• Provides input at watershed meetings that strategically advance the biennial work plan goals.
• Represents the SRWPP at meetings hosted by other organizations.
• Aides as needed, provide outreach / educational updates to a website on SRWPP activities.

Technical Responsibilities may include: (33%)

• Technical responsibilities will focus on the Kanabec County jurisdiction within the Snake Watershed.
• Engages with landowners within the watershed to strategically advance the biennial work plan goals, as needed based on coordination with the watershed partnership staff.
• Acquires training as needed to obtain and retain adequate conservation technical knowledge in the predominant watershed practices. Work with your supervisor to prioritizing in which practices to acquire knowledge and experience.
• Promotes soil health principles and soil building conservation practices in partnership with others. This may involve the collaboration in the formation of a landowner led council working toward a common goal of increased water quality.
• Coordinates with landowners in planning conservation measures for their property to meet soil and water quality protection and landowner goals. This may include assessing suitable practices to a given site, aiding in survey work, measurement / calculation of pollution reduction numbers, assessing proposed projects against the Plans goals and objectives, designing of practices, composing operations and management plans, managing contracts with land owners, presenting projects to the Board, coordinating practice installation with continuous landowner communications, providing oversight on practice installation and conducting follow-up reviews on completed practices.  
• Other technical duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A Four-year degree in Managerial/Administration, Natural Resources or related field as applicable to meet the expectation of the position. Commensurate experience to this position may be substituted for minimum educational requirements.  An available vehicle and a valid Minnesota Drivers’ License as personal vehicle may be used at times to complete job duties.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The candidate will be a self-starter working with minimum guidance and be detailed orientated.  Able to organize and track a variety of timelines and deadlines.  Have excellent written and verbal communication skills.  The candidate will have great interpersonal skills to interact with a wide variety of people.  Will possess skills in using Microsoft Office software, including Publisher and telephone, ArcGIS, GPS units, remote meeting platforms and other job-related equipment.  Great attention to detail is required for many aspects of the position.