This page is used to post position descriptions for jobs related to water resources. Please contact persons or websites indicated within the posting for information about the job.

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Maine (posted February 1, 2010)

Science Coordinator GS-13 Biologist, Ecologist, Physical Scientist, Hydrologist (Interdisciplinary) Background: Acadia National Park, part of an ecosystem of islands throughout the Gulf of Maine, protects natural resources, processes, and systems and the cultural heritage of nearly 100 coastal islands totaling nearly 46,000 acres. The National Park Service (NPS) and partners charged with stewardship of Downeast Maine's island resources face a number of increasingly complex issues, such as habitat fragmentation, invasive species, air pollution, recreation, and climate change that threatens the integrity of these island ecosystems, their cultural resources, and quality of visitor experiences. To prevent the degradation or impairment of these values, coastal managers must be aware of and understand the causes and consequences of these threats. The successful management and protection of Acadia National Park and islands under the stewardship of others will benefit from scientifically credible and timely answers to important questions. The application of research and other science activities are important tools used by the NPS to meet its stewardship responsibilities. The NPS has established a network of Research Learning Centers around the country to increase the effectiveness and communication of research and science results in the national parks. This is accomplished through facilitating the use of parks for scientific inquiry, supporting science-informed decision making, communicating the relevance of and providing access to knowledge gained through scientific research, and promoting science literacy and resource stewardship. At Acadia National Park, the Schoodic Education and Research Center (SERC) is the park’s designated NPS Research Learning Center. Located in the park on a 100-acre campus on the Schoodic Peninsula, SERC is a public-private partnership linking scientists, students, citizens, and businesses to promote understanding and stewardship of the park and region’s natural and cultural resources. The NPS manages SERC in cooperation with Acadia Partners for Science and Learning. Acadia Partners is a nonprofit organization that facilitates research and education programs, provides financial support, and helps operate facilities at SERC. Acadia Partners cultivates partnerships among research laboratories, universities, public schools, nonprofits, and government agencies in support of SERC's mission. Job Summary: This position serves as the Science Coordinator for SERC and Acadia National Park. She/he champions and forges multi-disciplinary (natural, cultural, and social) science alliances with government entities, academic institutions, and non-governmental organizations to assist the NPS with its applied conservation needs at Acadia National Park and to promote the park as a natural outdoor laboratory for other scientific endeavors. The incumbent collaborates with scientists and students to facilitate enhanced understanding about native biodiversity, ecosystem integrity, natural processes, cultural heritage, and the human dimensions of conservation issues. She/he leads efforts to expand research programs at SERC and at Acadia National Park. The position also creates opportunities for the translation of science results to others engaged in stewardship of coastal protected areas, park visitors, local residents, and students. Research and science communication activities at SERC will serve Acadia National Park and the larger Gulf of Maine ecosystem. The incumbent reports to the park’s Chief of Resource Management, but she/he will also work closely with other park staff and staff from Acadia Partners for Science and Learning. Major Duties: Foster and implement a vibrant research and science education community at SERC focusing on the conservation of natural resources, protection of cultural heritage, and human dimensions of protected area management. Create new science partnerships among the various land management agencies and non-governmental conservation organizations in coastal Maine. Maintain a research program (within the incumbent's science discipline), in collaboration with academic colleagues and others, focused on protected area management, the ecological effects of climate change, and conservation of Acadia National Park's island ecosystems. Transfer these research findings through professional scientific outlets. Serve as a liaison and facilitator between SERC and scientists and students conducting research in Acadia National Park. Administer L.L. Bean Acadia Research Fellowship, Schoodic Research Fellowship and other National Park Service grant and cooperative research programs. Serve as the NPS technical representative for contracted science projects or activities. Advocate and market the natural, cultural, and social science information needs of Gulf of Maine coastal islands and other northeastern US coastal national park areas to the academic and research community. Facilitate the translation and communication of research results for SERC program participants, NPS employees, neighbors, and visitors, and conservation partner organizations.

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Oregon (posted January 5, 2010)

Extension Program Leader
Oregon Sea Grant
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR

Oregon Sea Grant, founded in 1968 and based at Oregon State University, supports research, extension, education and communication to help people understand, responsibly interact with, and conserve ocean and coastal resources and communities. Oregon Sea Grant is one of the top programs within the network of 30 Sea Grant College Programs, organized under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This network is a partnership among government, academia, industry, NGOs, and private citizens. For additional information about the Oregon Sea Grant Program, interested individuals are directed to the web site: http://seagrant.oregonstate.edu/.

Oregon Sea Grant (OSG) at Oregon State University invites applications for the position of Extension Program Leader.  We seek a dynamic and energetic program leader with an appreciation for the OSG innovative extension program as it relates and works with the integrated elements of research, education, and communications.  An administrative faculty appointment, this position leads an innovative program and team of faculty and staff located on the Oregon State University campus, in offices along the Oregon coast, the state capital, and the metro/Columbia River area. This position supervises approximately 20 Extension agents, specialists and professional faculty who engage with and address stakeholder and community issues.  The successful applicant provide leadership, vision, focus, and development for the Oregon Sea Grant extension program, to foster statewide partnerships with coastal stakeholders and across institutions and to work with Sea Grant leadership on overall program development, new initiatives and proposals to grow the program. This position supervises and leads approximately twenty faculty located statewide, and works effectively to develop and sustain effective marine extension programming, networks and relationships with local and statewide Extension Services.

Because SGE core faculty members have appointments in a range of departments across campus, the program leader also works actively to foster ties with other units. The successful applicant will show evidence of a deep commitment to collaborative work and engage with other institutions, agencies, and Sea Grant programs regionally and nationally to develop and sustain effective marine extension programming, networks and relationships.

A PhD degree or equivalent professional experience and a record of excellence in outreach leadership and management in marine, coastal, natural resources or a related field are required. Strong listening, writing and speaking skills, knowledge of Sea Grant, ocean issues and coastal resources, and experience with proposal writing are preferred. We also seek someone with a proven commitment to diversity and team building, and working productively with diverse sets of stakeholders.

To review posting and apply, go to http://oregonstate.edu/jobs
Apply to posting # 0005107.  Closing date is: February 28, 2010.  OSU is an AA/EOE.

Massachusetts (posted February 8, 2010)

Essex County Greenbelt Association (http://www.ecga.org), Essex, MA

Land Conservation Project Manager Essex, MA

Full-Time Position

The Project Manager will identify conservation opportunities through
landowner outreach and manage specific land conservation projects from
inception to completion. Responsibilities include meeting with landowners,
organizing outreach events, drafting conservation restrictions, securing
financing for land protection projects, and assisting in associated
fundraising campaigns. The Project Manager will represent Greenbelt in local
and regional conservation coalitions. Provides leadership in land
conservation and advocacy in selected communities within the Greenbelt
service area.

Specific Tasks:

· Identify and evaluate potential land protection projects, including

field assessment of conservation values (scenic, ecological, agricultural)
and land use and conservation alternatives;

· Prepare and implement fee and conservation restriction acquisition

strategies;

· Negotiate donations and purchases of conservation land;

· Cultivate landowners and solicit charitable gifts of land and money;

· Represent Greenbelt in collaborative arrangements with conservation

organizations, municipalities, and governmental agencies;

· Coordinate the work of appraisers, land planners, surveyors and

engineers, legal counsel, and other professional consultants, and other
Greenbelt staff on strategic projects and activities;

· Recruit, organize, train, and supervise volunteers;

· Prepare project reports, proposals, budgets, news releases,

presentations, and correspondence;

· Make presentations to landowners, conservation organizations,

community groups, municipal boards, legislative committees, and other
audiences;

· Assist in preparing and implementing fundraising strategies for

conservation projects;

· Represent Greenbelt at assigned member events, public events, and

speaking engagements.

· Assist the Director of Land Conservation in planning and setting

priorities for its work at the regional and community level;

· Participate in regular meetings of the Board of Directors, Acquisition

Committee, and Greenbelt staff;

· Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: Commitment to the conservation mission of Essex County
Greenbelt. Bachelors degree and a minimum three years directly-related work
experience, expertise in land conservation methods and funding, and
demonstrated communication (writing and public speaking), negotiation,
leadership, interpersonal, and teamwork skills. Strong computer skills
essential; basic GIS and relational database (FileMakerPro/Access)
experience is desirable. Background in both natural and cultural resources
is desirable as is familiarity with Essex County's landscape and
communities. Ability to travel within Essex County and Massachusetts and to
attend frequent evening and weekend meetings and events is essential.

Reports to: Director of Land Conservation

Coordinates with: Land Stewardship, Development, Operations

Administrative Support: Very limited. The individual in this position must
be prepared to handle his/her own correspondence, filing, and record
keeping.

Location: Cox Reservation, Essex, MA

Greenbelt offers a competitive compensation and benefits program, including
a retirement plan and contribution to health insurance.

Interested individuals should send a résumé and cover letter electronically
to dts@ecga.org by close of business Wednesday, February 24, 2010.

The Essex County Greenbelt Association (Greenbelt) is a nonprofit land trust
that has conserved more than 13,000 acres of land in Essex County,
Massachusetts. A membership organization, Greenbelt acquires and manages
land, assists communities and state agencies in property acquisitions,
promotes land conservation through events, publications and programs, and
offers locations for outdoor recreation and environmental education.

Minnesota (posted January 15, 2010)

The Upper Mississippi River Basin Association (UMRBA), a five-state interstate organization, is seeking a skilled individual to work with its interagency Water Quality Task Force on a 15-month project to: 1) examine nutrient levels and localized impacts of nutrients on the Upper Mississippi River (UMR), and 2) develop a biological assessment guidance document for UMR states’ Clean Water Act water quality programs.

Position Description:

The Water Quality Specialist will work under the supervision of UMRBA’s Water Quality Program Director and in collaboration with the UMRBA Water Quality Task Force – an interagency committee composed of water quality staff from the five UMR states and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Regions 5 and 7.

The Water Quality Specialist will be the primary staff person responsible for the nutrient component of this project, with duties including collecting and reviewing relevant data and reports; communicating with agencies, researchers, and others to obtain information; gathering feedback from the Water Quality Task Force and other subject matter experts; and report writing.

For the biological assessment project component, the Water Quality Specialist’s duties will include research, document review, and data gathering; obtaining feedback and information from the Water Quality Task Force; and other activities as assigned by the Water Quality Program Director.

Additionally, the Water Quality Specialist will provide staff support to Water Quality Task Force meetings and will give presentations to the Task Force and other groups as needed.

The Water Quality Specialist will work from UMRBA’s office in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Position Qualifications:

· Bachelor’s degree in water resources, natural resources, environmental science/management, or related field. Graduate degree preferred.

· Professional experience in water resources, water quality monitoring, and/or the Clean Water Act.

· Excellent written and verbal communications skills.

· Excellent judgment and ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

· Excellent analytical skills.

· Computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office, database, and GIS applications.

· Ability to coordinate multiple tasks and meet scheduled deadlines.

· Willingness and ability to travel periodically.

Hours: 40 hours per week

Term of Employment: 15 months

Salary Range: $18.00 to $22.60 per hour

Benefits: Additional 25 percent of salary in lieu of pension and medical insurance

403(b) retirement savings plan (employee contributions only)

Paid holidays and paid leave after 3 months service

Application Deadline: February 16, 2010

To Apply, Submit Resume and Brief Writing Sample to:

Dave Hokanson, Water Quality Program Director

Upper Mississippi River Basin Association

408 St. Peter Street, Suite 415

St. Paul, MN 55102

dhokanson@umrba.org

(If using e-mail, please submit resume and writing sample as attachments to your message.)

UMRBA is a non-profit organization formed in 1981 by the Governors of the five Upper Mississippi River states (IL, IA, MN, MO, and WI) to provide a forum for discussion and collective action on regional water resource issues. UMRBA’s activities span a broad range of issues, including habitat restoration, commercial navigation, floodplain management, water quality, and spill response. Additional information is available at www.umrba.org.

UMRBA is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, age, gender identity, gender orientation, family status, or mental or physical limitations unrelated to bona fide job requirements.

Funding for the project and this position is being provided by the States of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin under the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s American Reinvestment and Recovery Act 604(b) Water Quality Management Planning Grants.

Wisconsin (posted February 1, 2010)

Woodland Dunes Nature Center and Preserve in Two Rivers, WI is seeking an
individual to initiate and pursue development and marketing strategies, to assist the director and to coordinate fund-raising. Grant writing and fund raising are important aspects of this position. Experience with non-profit organizations and computer skills is necessary. This is a part-time position. Evening and weekend work are occasionally required. Woodland Dunes is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Send resume and cover letter to Woodland Dunes P.O. Box 486, Two Rivers, WI 54241 or
nature@woodlanddunes.org.