2025 Fall/Winter 6 Month Big Cat Internship

The Umpqua River Basin Water Project Coordinator position at the Partnership for the Umpqua Rivers involves managing flow restoration projects to support Oregon's native salmon and trout populations. Responsibilities include outreach, project development, fundraising, and fiscal oversight. The role allows for remote work but requires occasional travel within Oregon and to conferences. This contract position may transition to a permanent role and may involve evening and weekend work.
PARTNERSHIP FOR THE UMPQUA RIVERS
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

TITLE: Umpqua River Basin Water Project Coordinator

REPORTS TO: PUR Executive Director

ABOUT PARTNERSHIP FOR THE UMPQUA RIVERS

Partnership for the Umpqua Rivers is a 501(c3) nonprofit watershed council that was established by a diverse group of stakeholders. Our Mission: Through collaboration with diverse participants, the Partnership for the Umpqua Rivers maintains and improves water quality and fish populations from source to sea in the streams of the Umpqua. We educate people about the value of healthy streams; we work with willing landowners to improve stream conditions; we monitor the health of the streams and their fish populations. Through these actions the Partnership contributes to the ecological and economic well-being of the basin. PUR is governed by a Board of Directors and managed by the Executive Director. To learn more about our work please visit our website: www.partnershipfortheumpquarivers.org.

PUR has a full-time staff of 7 people working in a highly collaborative environment with a diversity of partners, including landowners, Tribes, state and federal resource management agencies, private and public funders, and other NGO’s.

POSITION SUMMARY

This is an exciting opportunity to join PUR and lead work to restore adequate instream flows in the Umpqua River Basin to support ongoing efforts to conserve and recover Oregon’s native salmon, trout, and ecosystem.

The successful candidate will be responsible for all aspects of flow restoration project management, including outreach to landowners, project development, fundraising, furthering PUR’s mission, developing strategic approaches to meet that mission, participating in regional partnership efforts, providing fiscal oversight for project budgets, and directing support staff and contractors.

The Program Coordinator will be located in the Umpqua Basin but can work from home, and will be required to travel occasionally throughout Oregon and to conferences outside the state. This is a contract position, with the ability to become a permanent staff position, and occasionally requires evening and weekend hours.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

· Work closely with local stakeholders to develop and implement instream flow restoration projects

· Evaluate feasibility and value of potential instream flow restoration projects with private landowners and other stakeholders, both independently and in group settings

· Identify funding sources, prepare budgets and proposals, and secure funding for water transactions

· Complete state requirements for transacting water rights, including leasing and transfer applications to the Oregon Water Resources Department

· Manage project implementation, including budgeting, scheduling, partner coordination, contractor selection and oversight, and reporting
• Coordinate and develop communication materials
• Consolidate, manage, and share hydrologic data to inform flow restoration needs and priorities

· Prepare grant deliverables ,including quarterly, annual, and final progress reports

· Monitor projects, including tracking instream flow, compliance with instream water rights, and ecological outcomes

· Follow all PUR policies regarding federal and state grant compliance, including procurement processes

· Foster and maintain positive relationships with landowners and other stakeholders with varying political and social backgrounds

· Collaborate closely with partners, including federal, state, and local government agencies, academic institutions, and non-profit organizations

· Additional duties may be assigned as necessary, including programmatic work in the region on other fish restoration and habitat improvement efforts

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

· Bachelor’s degree in hydrology, water resources, ecology, fisheries, or a related field. Master’s degree or higher preferred.

· Knowledge of and experience working with western water law and water rights.

· 2 years of professional experience preferred.

· Experience working or collecting data under potentially adverse conditions in the field.

· Superior interpersonal skills and ability to work constructively with diverse partners and private landowners.

· Ability and willingness to travel to project sites, with occasional multi-day trips. A valid driver’s license and own vehicle are required.

Excellent written and oral communication skills.

· Excellent problem-solving abilities.

· Ability to work independently without close oversight, but also a team player who will productively engage with others at varying levels of seniority within and outside of PUR.

· Ability to manage complex projects and manage multiple deadlines simultaneously.

· Ability to track and manage project spending and budgets.

· Working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs.

· A passion for protecting and restoring trout and salmon and their watersheds.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

· Experience with grant writing

· Experience working in the Umpqua River Basin.

· Experience with GIS software.

Work may, at times, be physically demanding. It may require walking and maintaining balance on slippery surfaces and sloping, highly uneven stream banks, and in conditions of moderate streamflow; it may require lifting, pulling, pushing, and carrying field equipment over long distances. The position will also require day travel to remote areas.

Staff and leadership at PUR understand that life outside of work is essential to personal health, and we strive to create a healthy and family-friendly atmosphere. This is a full-time contract position with the possibility of becoming a permanent position at PUR with additional benefits.

HOW TO APPLY

Please send a Resume (including 3 references) and Cover Letter to kevin@umpquarivers.org

Review of applications will begin on April 14 and will continue until the position is filled.

PUR hires staff without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status or disability.