Cheyenne, WY

Position Title: Watershed Coordinator

Organization: Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts  

Location: Cheyenne, WY

Organization Overview: The Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts (WACD) seeks a highly motivated and dedicated individual to fill the full-time position of Watershed Coordinator. This position is located in Cheyenne, Wyoming with a telework option statewide. The purpose of the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts (WACD) is to provide the leadership for the conservation of Wyoming’s soil and water, to promote the control of soil erosion, reduce the siltation of stream channels and reservoirs, promote the wise use of Wyoming’s water and all other natural resources, preserve and enhance wildlife habitat, protect the tax base and promote the health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of this state through a responsible conservation ethic.

Position Overview: The Watershed Coordinator performs the following duties under direct supervision of the Executive Director of the Wyoming Association of Conservation Districts (WACD). The Watershed Coordinator provides technical assistance to Wyoming’s local conservation districts and communities with water quality and related resource concerns and issues. The position acts as a liaison between WACD and federal and state water quality and natural resource agencies and partners to plan, coordinate, and schedule mutually beneficial activities to promote natural resource conservation. Training, information, implementation, and coordination activities will be conducted to promote WACD’s watershed priorities.

Duties:

• Act as organizational lead on the implementation of a statewide water quality monitoring and watershed planning program, including assisting Wyoming’s 34 conservation districts with sampling and analysis plans, water monitoring, and water quality data analysis. Coordinate water quality audits/reports with conservation district employees, the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality and contractors.
• Provide leadership in the development of watershed plans and the implementation of management practices used to address identified resource concerns. Devise alternative goals and solutions to assist conservation districts and producers in the state in making decisions to help solve natural resource concerns, including but not limited to, water quality, range management, climate change, and renewable energy. The work involves facilitation, communication, consultation, coordination, and scheduling with local conservation districts, private landowners and representatives from cooperating federal, state, and local agencies.
• Assist the WACD Executive Director and conservation districts with state and federal grant applications and grant management. Provide current information to conservation district representatives on the status of various natural resource and conservation programs, implementation activities, and fund availability. 
• Develop a comprehensive training program targeted towards water quality, watershed planning, and local leadership development. Maintain and update the Water Quality Certification Database after trainings.
• Develop cooperative and effective communication and education programs and activities for conservation districts, employees and partners that will result in greater awareness and understanding of natural resource conservation issues.
• Serve as a liaison, in conjunction with the Executive Director, on behalf of WACD to USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Wyoming Department of Agriculture, Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, and other state and federal agencies to coordinate activities with conservation districts to develop and implement local resource conservation programs and watershed-scale projects.
• Provide technical assistance on legislation and policy issues related to the Clean Water Act and water quality/watershed health including WDEQ 305(b) & 303(d) reports, Chapter 1 standards, Non-Point Source items, Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs), Waters of the United States, Animal Feeding Operations/Confined Animal Feeding Operations and other policies
• Provide Geographic Information System (GIS) assistance and training to conservation districts by using industry standard GIS software to create various watershed and natural resource maps and geodatabases for WACD, conservation district boards and employees, steering committees, and report publications. Oversee and administer the SuiteWater natural resource application mapping tool.
• Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in rangeland ecology, watershed management, environmental science, geography, or related field; or a comparable combination of education and professional experience
• Three to six years of experience in watershed planning, water policy, and/or GIS preferred
• Experience with GIS software, such as ArcGIS, preferred
• Strong writing and editing skills required, preferably with previous experience writing technical documentation at a professional level
• Working knowledge of relevant water related policies and laws, including Clean Water Act requirements such as the state’s Integrated Report (305(b) and 303(d)), state water quality standards, state nonpoint source program plan and best management practices preferred
• Proficient in general professional software applications including Office 365, Google Workspace, Adobe, etc.
• Highly self‐motivated and able to independently work on multiple projects at once
• Must be detail oriented, highly organized, and possess strong communication skills
• Adept at working with both remote and local office staff
• Works well in a dynamic work environment, responding to multiple program areas and organizational needs
• Regular in-state travel required, with occasional out of state travel possible

Application Deadline: Position is open until filled.

How to Apply: WACD offers a competitive salary commensurate with responsibilities and work experience and a full benefits package including health, vision, and dental insurance, retirement account, and paid time off. To apply, submit cover letter, resume, three references and a professional writing sample to Kelli Little, Executive Director at kelli.little@conservewy.com. For questions call 307-632- 5716.