Position Description: Watershed Coordinator

Hiring Statement

The Delaware Center for the Inland Bays invites applications for its Watershed Coordinator who will coordinate the update and implementation of the Inland Bays Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan. The Watershed Coordinator works with public and private partners in conservation to gain commitments to and develop funding for the restoration of the water quality and habitats of the Inland Bays estuary.

The Center is a private non-profit organization located in Delaware Seashore State Park near Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. One of 28 National Estuary Programs, the Center has worked in partnership with the community to protect and restore the Inland Bays since 1994. This is a full-time position with competitive benefits and salary. This position will remain open until an appropriate candidate is selected; interviews will be arranged shortly after qualified applications are received. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political belief, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran or military status, genetic information and marital or familial status.

Qualifications

A Master’s degree in natural resource management or environmental planning, biology, hydrogeology or a related field and two years resource management/planning experience is preferred. A Bachelor’s degree in any of the above disciplines and four years resource management/planning experience is required. Experience with environmental management plans, coordinating partner organizations, and successful grant solicitation and management. Demonstrated success in project management. The candidate must possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Experience with watershed models, nutrient cycling, and/or habitat restoration is preferred.

General Description of the Position

The Watershed Coordinator works under the supervision of the Executive Director and collaborates closely with Center staff. The Watershed Coordinator is an experienced planner who develops organizational partnerships that result in leveraged financial resources necessary for the implementation of the Inland Bays Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP). He/she understands watershed ecology and nutrient cycling, and works with the Science & Restoration Coordinator to ensure that best available science drives plan implementation. The Watershed Coordinator works with both municipal and agricultural sectors. They develop operational plans for pollution control and habitat restoration, tracks and reports their progress, and coordinates their revision as necessary. The Watershed Coordinator has significant grant writing and grant administration responsibilities and will oversee contractors and/or an employee. The Coordinator has knowledge of watershed pollution models and control techniques, environmental policies and ordinances, and can facilitate agreements.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Works with a high degree of independence, while communicating and strategizing regularly with the Executive Director and Science & Restoration Coordinator.
• May manage a small number of contractors or a staff person.
• Responsible for the implementation, tracking, reporting, and update of the CCMP and related plans.
• Develop and lead a CCMP Implementation Committee consisting of high-level staff of conservation partner organizations.
• Develop annual implementation action plans and commitments to meet interim implementation milestones.
• Manages or assists in the management of a watershed nutrient loading model for the Inland Bays to assess progress toward meeting Total Maximum Daily Load regulations.
• Researches cost-efficient best management practices for water quality and habitat and uses this information to prioritize plan implementation actions.
• Seek and manage grants related to planning and plan implementation including water quality practices in urban and rural environments.
• Work with government agencies to ensure that land use, transportation and other policies are in accordance with implementing the CCMP.
• Communicates regularly with a wide variety of audiences on watershed restoration.
• Develop annual workplans and budgets. Write contracts and track grant expenses.
• Other tasks as assigned by the Executive Director.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of current practices, principles and technological developments of watershed management and water quality restoration.
• Knowledge of watershed nutrient loading models.
• Knowledge of water quality and habitat related laws, regulations, and ordinances.
• Knowledge of leadership and negotiation techniques and the ability to build and motivate multi-organizational teams to achieve voluntary objectives.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional networks to accomplish goals.
• Skill in administering tracking databases and creating effective reports.
• Skill in multi-partner grant procurement and administration.
• Skill in developing and implementing water quality restoration plans and projects.
• Skill working in a service-oriented team environment with understanding of roles.
• Strong verbal communications skills and demonstrated ability to write persuasively.
• Ability to conduct technical research and integrate results into project plans.
• Skill in managing contracts.
• Working familiarity with GIS.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Work is performed in both an office environment and in the field. Field assignments may require bending, climbing, crawling, kneeling, lifting up to 25 pounds, pulling, reaching, sitting, standing, stooping, walking in rough terrain, in-water work, and occasionally contending with adverse weather conditions requiring special clothing and safety precautions. Evening or weekend work to attend meetings and events is sometimes required. A flexible schedule is permitted. The position is subject to the Center’s Office Policy Manual.

Application

Please submit, as a single PDF document, a cover letter, curriculum vitae, three references with contact information, and an example of a successful grant application to:

Brittany Burslem

Delaware Center for the Inland Bays

39375 Inlet Road

Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971

office@inlandbays.org

ATTN: Watershed Coordinator Position