Eagle River Watershed Council is creating a water fund for the Eagle River, called the Eagle River Fund. The Nature Conservancy describes water funds as organizations that “design and enhance financial and governance mechanisms which unite public, private and civil society stakeholders around a common goal to contribute to water security through nature-based solutions and sustainable watershed management.” The Eagle River Fund manager is responsible for the development, coordination and implementation of a new water fund for the Eagle River Valley to protect and/or improve water quality, protect habitat and stream flows. This is a half-time position that will run for approximately 18-months, concluding around June 2022, with the possibility for the position to transition to permanent.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The manager will:
- Build from an existing inventory of research, monitoring, and economic analysis and provide technical leadership and support to develop and implement the Eagle River Fund, modeled in part on the Yampa River Fund and other water funds worldwide.
- Coordinate stakeholders in the Eagle River valley, including Colorado Basin Roundtable, Eagle River Community Water Plan stakeholders, local nonprofits, ranchers, landowners, municipal and county governments, the river guiding/recreation community, conservation partners, the Colorado River District and water providers and refer to the Eagle River Community Water Plan to:
- Facilitate a feasibility assessment.
- Create the Eagle River Fund’s strategic objectives and project criteria.
- Develop the Eagle River Fund’s financial, legal, governance and operational mechanisms.
- Identify and implement conservation practices that achieve water quality/quantity goals.
- Promote and coordinate community engagement to garner awareness and support for the Fund by working closely with a diverse coalition of interests.
- Oversee and coordinate day-to-day activities, including the management of a working group, steering committee and subcommittees.
- Develop the budget for execution of the Fund and operate within it.
- Ensure the Eagle River Fund is implemented on-time, within scope.
- Track Fund formation progress and maintain comprehensive documentation.
- Assist with public and private fundraising efforts to meet seed money targets.
- Make independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
- Take on other duties as assigned.
In working to catalyze the establishment of the fund, the manager will have access to expertise from The Nature Conservancy, which has pioneered the development of water funds around the world and played a pivotal role in the formation of the Yampa River Fund.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Education and experience equivalent to a BA/BS, law or business degree and 5 years of experience in natural resource management or a related field.
- Proven project management skills.
- Experience negotiating complex agreements.
- Demonstrated experience in building partnerships.
- Experience managing multiple priorities.
- Experience managing and maintaining compliance with public and/or private funding obligations.
- Ability to complete tasks independently and in accordance with timelines.
- Experience communicating with the public and/or media, both in writing and verbally.
- Proficiency with applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, web browsers and social media.
- A willingness to learn and expand skills as necessary.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Familiarity with the economic, social and conservation contexts and players of the Eagle River Basin.
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- Knowledge of water and riparian management and conservation science.
- Experience with water resource management, research, monitoring and/or policy appreciated.
- Experience in developing conservation finance vehicles or mechanisms to scale-up funding.
- Ability to explain conservation practices to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Excellent negotiation skills.
- Familiarity with email marketing platforms (such as Vertical Response), WordPress and databases.
OTHER DETAILS
Half-time, temporary position. Typical business hours with some evening/weekend events. Flexibility available. Pay commensurate with experience, $30-36/hour. Independent contractors welcome to apply. Work requires some physical exertion such as walking, standing, lifting (up to 50 lbs.), carrying, or similar activities, sometimes in inclement weather and/or in remote locations.
HOW TO APPLY
Send a cover letter & resume to jobs@erwc.org.
For more information about Eagle River Watershed Council, please visit www.erwc.org