Watershed Project Manager

Position Title: Watershed Project Manager

Organization: Partnership for the Umpqua Rivers (PUR) (www.umpquarivers.org)

Location: 3012 W Harvard Ave, Roseburg, OR 97471. This position requires the successful applicant to be based locally. Some hybrid options can be negotiated.

Supervisor: This position reports to the Executive Director

Compensation: Starting $41,600 – $52,000 annually or $20 – $25 hourly (DOE)

Benefits: PUR offers competitive benefits, including employer-paid employee health, vision, and dental; HRA; 13 paid holidays/year; vacation; sick leave; and 3% matching retirement contributions.

Schedule/Job Type: Full-Time 35-40hrs/week, Monday – Friday, At-Will, Non-exempt Position.

Funding Notice: This position is grant-funded. Continued employment is contingent upon the availability of ongoing grant funding.

Transportation Information: If a work vehicle is unavailable, a personal vehicle must be used to conduct PUR business. Mileage is reimbursable at the current federal mileage rate, currently $0.725, which changes annually.

About Us:

The Partnership for the Umpqua Rivers (PUR) is a grant-funded nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring and monitoring the health of watersheds within the Umpqua Basin. As a grant-funded nonprofit organization, PUR’s positions are supported by awarded project funding, and continued employment is dependent on the receipt of ongoing funds.

We collaborate closely with local communities, agencies, and organizations to enhance water quality, support fish habitat, and promote ecosystem resilience. We aim to sustain healthy and thriving rivers, wetlands, and riparian areas, supporting the environment and local livelihoods.

We seek a passionate, self-motivated, detail-oriented Project Manager to join our team and play a pivotal role in advancing our mission.

Position Overview:

The Watershed Project Manager supports the Partnership for the Umpqua Rivers’ watershed health efforts through hands-on environmental monitoring and habitat restoration implementation across the Umpqua Basin. This position works closely with the Monitoring Coordinator and Executive Director to ensure monitoring and restoration activities are carried out efficiently, accurately, and in accordance with established protocols and project designs.

This position focuses on advancing monitoring and restoration projects through a combination of field duties, data management, and project coordination. Approximately half of the position supports environmental monitoring, including protocol-based field sampling, equipment deployment, data entry, and data management. The remaining time supports habitat restoration work, including contractor coordination, landowner site visits, and field-based restoration activities. While some planning and documentation are necessary to support effective project delivery, this position is not focused on grant management or general administrative duties.

Work Environment:

This role involves a mix of office and fieldwork. Office work takes place in a well-lit, ventilated, and climate-controlled environment. Fieldwork, however, can be physically demanding and includes traversing rough, rocky, mountainous, and densely vegetated terrain that may be steep, wet, and muddy. Fieldwork often requires bending, hiking, and lifting or carrying equipment, including tools, personal protective gear, and supplies such as food and water for extended periods away from a vehicle. Employees may encounter extreme weather conditions, as well as the potential for poison oak, cuts, bruises, pests, and wildlife encounters.

In addition, traveling to site locations can involve remote mountain roads that may be steep, narrow, and winding, often with heavy truck traffic (e.g., log trucks, fire vehicles, and equipment). While PUR offers flexible working hours to accommodate personal needs, work is generally Monday through Friday, and scheduling flexibility is essential during the busy field season (late spring to early fall) to meet the increased demand.

Key Responsibilities (to include, but not limited to)

*All responsibilities are in collaboration with and supported by other PUR Staff.

Project Management and Coordination

• Manage day-to-day logistics for assigned monitoring and restoration projects
• Coordinate field schedules, equipment needs, site access, and contractors as needed
• Communicate clearly with internal staff, partners, and landowners
• Identify field issues early and propose practical, field-based solutions

Restoration Project Support

• Assist with the implementation of instream, flow, floodplain, and riparian habitat restoration projects from pre-construction through post-project monitoring
• Coordinate with contractors during construction through site visits, field compliance checks, and clear communication to ensure work aligns with designs, permits, schedules, and scopes of work
• Track project-level budgets, quantities installed, and unit costs; identify potential budget or schedule issues early
• Review and verify contractor invoices and payment requests against contracts, bid schedules, and observed field work; document change orders and remaining balances
• Conduct landowner site visits and support relationship-based project delivery, including access coordination and construction communication
• Support site assessments, photo point monitoring, and post-project effectiveness monitoring, maintaining organized field and project documentation

Monitoring Project Support

• Support PUR’s monitoring program, including field-based and laboratory water quality sampling, testing, and analysis
• Collect, measure, and record biological and physicochemical data, including surface water and groundwater levels, stream flow, and key water quality parameters such as temperature, specific conductance, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and E. coli, adhering to established protocols to ensure precise, accurate, and reliable data collection
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot monitoring equipment and sensors used for data collection, recording, and communication
• Maintain accurate field records and metadata to support data validation and quality assurance
• Inventory, maintain, clean, and order field and laboratory equipment to ensure supplies are available and functioning efficiently

Data Management and Reporting

• Validate, manage, and analyze monitoring and restoration data using computer-based tools, including spreadsheets, databases, and GIS
• Compile data summaries, figures, maps, and photo documentation to support internal reporting, partner deliverables, and grant reporting for monitoring and restoration projects

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Hydrology, Environmental Science, Fisheries, Wildlife, Restoration Ecology, or a related field, or at least three years of relevant professional experience
• Knowledge of water quality standards and familiarity with environmental regulations.
• Knowledge of water chemistry and how water quality parameters interact
• Familiarity with common watershed restoration methods and the equipment used to implement them
• Proficient in Microsoft Products (e.g., Word, Excel) and Google Workspace (e.g., Gmail, Drive)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Proficiency in ArcGIS and experience creating maps to visualize environmental data.
• Valid Oregon Driver’s License.
• Reliable vehicle

Preferred:

• Knowledge of Umpqua Basin ecosystems, rivers, and streams.
• Ability to use ArcGIS for analytical analysis.
• Familiarity with GPS technology and geo-referenced data collection.
• Experience with databases and advanced data management.
• Comfort working directly with private landowners
• Experience with biological field data collection and water quality testing equipment.
• Strong ability to prioritize tasks and manage time efficiently.
• Self-driven to prioritize and complete tasks.
• Reliable 4-wheel drive/all-wheel drive vehicle.

About the Area:

Douglas County, Oregon, and the Roseburg area offer an exceptional living experience, especially for those who value natural beauty and outdoor activities. Nestled in the heart of the Hundred Valleys of the Umpqua, Roseburg is known for its scenic landscapes, mild climate, and outdoor recreation opportunities. Winters are cool with limited freezing, leading to blossom-filled springs, while summers are warm with low humidity, perfect for enjoying the area’s rivers, hiking trails, and forests. The nearby North Umpqua River is ideal for fishing, kayaking, and rafting, while numerous parks and trails offer space for hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing.

Roseburg is the hub of Southern Oregon, providing retail, medical, and cultural amenities for the region. The city is home to Umpqua Community College and has a vibrant arts scene, including community theater and year-round events such as Graffiti Week, Music on the Half Shell, and the Art and Wine Festivals. With its affordable living, welcoming community, and easy access to outdoor adventures, Roseburg offers a high-quality, balanced lifestyle. Whether you’re drawn to the natural resources of the area or its charming small-town feel, Roseburg is an ideal place to live, work, and enjoy the beauty of Southwestern Oregon.

For Roseburg area tourism information, go to www.experienceroseburg.com