BACKGROUND
Located in beautiful coastal San Mateo County, the San Mateo Resource Conservation District (RCD) seeks to fill a full-time position for a Water Quality Program Manager. RCDs across California serve as
local hubs for conservation, connecting people with the technical, financial and educational assistance they
need to conserve and manage natural resources. RCDs help landowners, land managers, government
agencies, and others to voluntarily protect, restore, and enhance natural resources on public and private
lands. A defining characteristic of RCDs is that we provide non-regulatory, confidential, free assistance.
POSITION
We are looking for a new team member to manage our efforts to identify sources of local water pollution
and implement solutions to protect and enhance water quality. The position is full-time at 40 hours per
week and is grant dependent, with the intent to continue indefinitely. The Manager reports to the
Executive Director and works closely with RCD staff and a broad array of partner organizations,
government agencies, and public and private landowners. The RCD is an exciting, fast-paced work
environment in a community of learners.
TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Identify and develop priorities and opportunities to protect or improve water quality, incorporating data, reports, regulatory documents, priorities of partners, personal observations, and more.
- Collaborate with partners and stakeholders to develop, fund and implement priority initiatives and actions.
- Prepare grant applications, proposals, scopes of work, budgets, and water quality monitoring plans to secure funding.
- Manage contracts, subcontracts, timelines, tasks, and budgets; prepare invoices and reports to funders; and be responsible for other administrative and project management tasks.
- Provide direction and supervision to the program coordinator in a highly collaborative, supportive environment.
- Oversee and participate in RCD water quality monitoring, education, and outreach.
- Conduct research and analyze data to help identify sources of local water pollution.
- Recommend and implement solutions and best management practices (this may include construction management.
- Communicate complex information to diverse stakeholders and audiences via technical reports, presentations, website content, and social media.
- Manage communications between project partners and stakeholders as appropriate.
- Provide technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, residential landowners, land managers, and the public regarding water resources, water quality, stormwater management, and conservation.
- Keep up to date with relevant regulations, policies, permits, methods, technologies, and solutions.
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with local, state, and federal partners.
APPLICANT QUALIFICATIONS
Successful applicants will “wear many hats” at the RCD. They will work across many disciplines and
therefore must have technical, administrative, communication, and interpersonal skills. They will have the
capacity to understand and utilize technical information combined with keen pragmatism to get work done
on the ground in a real-world environment.
Minimum qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher (master’s degree preferred) with focus on marine science, watershed
science, environmental science, biology, resource management, conservation planning, or related field - Four or more years of professional experience
- Knowledge of watershed stewardship, water quality, hydrology, water conservation, and/or stormwater management
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Strong computer skills including Word, Excel, and ArcGIS
- Excellent planning, coordination, and decision-making skills
- Highly organized and strong attention to detail
- Motivated self-starter with the ability to prioritize
- Ability to work independently as well as part of a team
- Physically able to work in the field (climbing in and out of streams, lifting, carrying supplies and equipment etc) during all seasons
- Creativity, sense of humor, “can do” spirit, flexibility, strong desire to learn
- Valid California driver’s license, clean driving record, and current auto insurance
Desired qualifications:
- Experience implementing water quality monitoring plans and programs
- Experience managing projects and personnel
- Experience communicating scientific information to diverse audiences
COMPENSATION
Financial compensation will be commensurate with applicable experience, ranging from $70,000 to
$90,000 annually. Full-time employees are offered benefits which include a health, dental and vision plan.
All employees are offered paid vacation and sick time and a retirement plan. The Manager will also enjoy a
flexible work schedule in a fun, fast-paced, positive work environment with excellent coworkers.
APPLICATION INFORMATION
To apply email a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and three references combined into a single
attachment to Lau Hodges, Administrative Officer: lau[at]sanmateoRCD.org. Applicants may later be
asked to submit a driving record. Applications will be accepted through November 18, 2019.
The Resource Conservation District is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates reflecting the social diversity of California and San Mateo County are strongly encouraged to apply.