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WASCO COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
2325 River Road, Suite 3 The Dalles OR 97058
POSITION AVAILABLE
Posting Date: May 8, 2015
Closing Date: May 26, 2015
Position Title: Fifteenmile Flow Restoration Coordinator
Position Location:
Wasco County Soil & Water Conservation District
2325 River Road, Suite 3
The Dalles OR 97058
Position Summary: This position will support the Fifteenmile Watershed Council and The
Freshwater Trust in implementing flow restoration in Fifteenmile watershed. The Fifteenmile
Watershed Council is one of Wasco county’s five local watershed councils and is governed by the
Wasco County Watershed Councils’ Coordinating Board. The Fifteenmile watershed council is
made up of county-appointed members from the US Forest Service, dryland and irrigated
agriculture, livestock producers, rural residents, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the
city of Dufur. Additionally, the watershed council works closely with the Wasco County Soil and
Water Conservation District (SWCD), Natural Resource Conservation Service, The Freshwater
Trust, Oregon Water Resources Department, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality,
Oregon Department of Agriculture, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, and the National
Marine Fisheries Service.
The SWCD provides fiscal sponsorship for Wasco’s Watershed Councils. The Flow Restoration
Coordinator reports to the District Manager and will be an employee of Wasco County SWCD.
Day to day work will be coordinated by the Watershed Coordinator.
The Flow Restoration Coordinator will identify, develop, negotiate, and implement stream flow
restoration projects balancing ecological benefit with landowner needs in the Fifteenmile
Watershed. S/he will work closely with the SWCD Watershed Coordinator, Fifteenmile Watershed
Council, The Freshwater Trust and Fifteenmile irrigators to implement flow restoration. Activities
include monitoring and data collection, overseeing administrative duties, managing irrigator
relationships and drafting reports. The Flow Coordinator will also implement Fifteenmile Action
Plan to Stabilize Temperatures (FAST), a unique plan aimed at reducing stream temperatures lethal
to fish by temporarily restoring streamflows to Fifteenmile Creek and its tributaries.
Responsibilities include:
• Develop and oversee all aspects of instream flow restoration projects focused in
Fifteenmile Watershed.
• Coordinate project planning, implementation, and monitoring with watershed council
members and partners.
• Build and maintain relationships with the watershed council members, private
landowners, irrigators, government agencies, and other conservation organizations.
• Negotiate water right acquisition agreements and manage water right due diligence
process in coordination with The Freshwater Trust.
• Initiate and manage state administrative processes associated with flow restoration
projects including instream leases, transfers, and conserved water allocations with
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support from The Freshwater Trust.
Work with the Watershed Coordinator, watershed council, and local partners to update
the current Fifteenmile watershed plan for long-terms stream flow restoration.
Work with the Watershed Coordinator, as needed, to provide information for grant
applications and other fundraising activities.
Work with the Watershed Coordinator, as needed, to generate press releases and other
media and communication pieces highlighting project successes.
Present on flow restoration methods and project highlights at conferences and other
forums.
Required Qualifications:
The successful Flow Restoration Coordinator candidate must demonstrate a strong commitment
to implementing innovative, cooperative solutions to achieve freshwater conservation goals.
Applicants must be comfortable working independently, in a rural community, and be physically
able to work outdoors. Applicants must possess a graduate degree in a relevant field of study or
have at least 3 years of relevant work experience. Applicants must have knowledge and/or
experience with streamflow and stream temperature monitoring.
Strong preference will be given to applicants with demonstrated experience in negotiating water
rights and/or real estate transactions for conservation purposes and/or familiarity with
agricultural practices. The qualified applicant will be a creative thinker with excellent analytical
and problem-solving skills and a demonstrated proficiency with written and verbal communication
and a high level of comfort working with diverse stakeholders. The Flow Restoration Coordinator
position requires excellent time and work management skills including juggling multiple tasks,
complicated timelines, and numerous relationships with local partners.
All applicants must possess a valid driver’s license.
Knowledge and experience with any of the following is advantageous:
• Western water law and water rights transfer procedures, especially in Oregon
• Ranch/farm/irrigation management
• Water resource policy, management and institutions in Oregon
• Resource, agriculture, and/or environmental economics
• Water resources engineering, hydrology, stream ecology, and/or watershed processes
• Negotiation skills, contract drafting ability
• Multi-stakeholder facilitation of projects involving natural resources
Compensation: This is an exempt full-time position located in The Dalles at the Wasco County
SWCD office. Compensation will be based upon qualifications and experience. Benefits include
health care insurance, and participation in the Public Employee Retirement System. Wasco
County SWCD is an at-will employer.
Application Process:
Supply the following documents in a single PDF in the order listed below:
• Cover letter (limit one page)
• Resume (limit two pages)
• Three professional references
Email required information and documentation by 5:00 PM on May 26, 2015 to Anna Buckley,
Watershed Coordinator at anna.buckley@or.nacdnet.net and Shilah Olson, SWCD Assistant
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Manager, at Shilah.olson@or.nacdnet.net.
Questions can be directed to Anna Buckley at (541)296-6178 x119.
Interviews will be held during the first week of June. Anticipated start date is June 15, 2015.
Wasco County SWCD is an equal opportunity employer.
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