The Stewardship Water Associate develops and implements methods for management of the Conservancy’s water assets in California, and supports the management of the McCloud River Preserve.
The Associate provides support for the management of the Conservancy’s water rights statewide, including the use of devices for monitoring diversions, flows, groundwater pumping and temperature; compliance with State and local reporting requirements for diversion of surface water and use of groundwater; facilitation of storage, transfer, and other innovative mechanisms to deploy water assets to ecological priorities; relationships with entities using Conservancy water; and oversight of efficiency projects. This position will ensure accurate data collection and management, compliance with all regulatory requirements, and alignment of water management with established and future programmatic water strategies. This is a property management position within the stewardship department, focused on the use and management of Conservancy owned property interests, but may also support ecological monitoring of water on Conservancy and third party properties. In addition to the management of Conservancy water, the CPV will supervise a seasonal preserve manager at the McCloud River Preserve and support the management of the preserve.
RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE
- Manages all data arising from or related to the Conservancy’s water rights statewide.
- Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements, including compliance with all Water Board surface diversion reporting requirements, and groundwater use reporting requirements under the Sustainable Groundwater Management ACT.
- Performs tasks with minimal supervision and makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
- Supervises technical and administrative staff.
- Oversee the development of best practices for the use of technological tools to measure water use and comply with State requirements for measurement and collection of data related to water use.
- Work with external partners to ensure in-stream dedications and transfers of water are properly managed, documented and secured.
- Support the implementation of best practices across the Conservancy’s CA estate for the sustainable, and efficient use of its water rights, both for ecological and agricultural purposes.
- Facilitate water related research across the estate.
- Oversee the day to day management of water, and associated contracts.
- Oversee the management of the McCloud River Preserve, including supervision of a seasonal preserve manager.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
- Gain Cooperation from outside parties to accomplish program goals.
- Under minimum supervision, makes independent decision based on analysis, experience and context.
- Familiarity with principles of water acquisition and water rights.
- Experience working with GIS, data management and technological tools used for remote monitoring.
- Experience managing staff or volunteers.
- Relationship building experience to work closely with a variety of partners (e.g., government officials, internal scientists.
- Experience completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
- Experience with communication via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
- Experience using common software applications such as Word, Excel, web browsers, etc.
- Experience in training.
- Must have valid driver's license.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
- 3-5 years’ experience in Water resource management.
- Ability and willingness to apply science to decision-making and guide activities.
- Knowledge of ecological land and water management principles.
- Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land and water management, and natural resource preservation.
The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.