Watershed Planner

Help Wanted - Watershed Planner - Under the general supervision of the Lower Nehalem Watershed Council Chair and the Nehalem Watershed Council Coordinator, the Watershed Planner plans projects, writes grant proposals for watershed enhancement projects, coordinates project implementation and provides general office support for the Lower Nehalem Watershed Council. Requires strong writing skills; ability to work with a variety of computer programs and manage data bases; ability to work in the field; good interpersonal skills; and a strong interest in watershed health.

This two year grant funded position pays $14 per hour.

The position is based in Nehalem, OR at the watershed council office adjacent to Nehalem City Hall and the Nehalem Bay. The position will work throughout the lower Nehalem watershed and Tillamook County.

MAJOR DUTIES:

• Develops, and writes grants for watershed enhancement/restoration projects,
• Implements and monitors watershed enhancement/restoration projects,
• Conducts and coordinates community outreach/education forums,
• Manages several informational data bases at council office,
• Organizes and advertises council and non-council meetings,
• Gathers/organizes watershed data,
• Produces and distribute agendas and minutes to council and non-council meetings,
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Strong writing and oral communication skills,
• Ability to work with a variety of computer programs and manage data bases,
• Good interpersonal skills,
• A strong interest in watershed health,
• Physically able for field work,
• Ability to establish work priorities and manage time effectively with limited supervision.

ADDITIONAL DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge and/or experience of:

• permitting and laws pertaining to watershed restoration project development on the Oregon coast,
• the role of watershed councils and various state and federal agencies in improving watershed health,
• Knowledge of the social, ecological and economical structure of the Nehalem basin and North Tillamook County,
• Background or experience in field work and/or on-ground project leadership,
  

**The Lower Nehalem Watershed Council is an equal opportunity employer. The LNWC has non-profit 501(c)(3) tax status.

TO APPLY:

Applicants should send a written statement of their qualifications to the Lower Nehalem Watershed Council P.O. Box 249, Nehalem 97130 by July 25.

Include a resume and at least three professional references.

Provide a brief answer the following questions.

1. What training and experience have you had in developing, coordinating or implementing projects?
2. Have you had professional experience or training in organizational management?
3. Have you had training, or experience in grant or proposal writing or publication of your written works?
4. Describe your experience in making oral presentations to groups.
5. What experience have you had in data base management?
6. What experience have you had with group process and formal problem solving processes?
   

The LNWC has developed an action plan which specifies tasks to be performed and time lines for the completion of the work. Implementation of the plan will require substancial time to assess current conditions, develop proposed solutions, apply for grant funds and oversee project implementation. Included in the work will be: 1) developing plans for replacing over twenty culverts, 2) developing plans for improving riparian buffers on ten large farms abutting the Nehalem river, and 3) evaluating over 20 alternative strategies for enhancement of the estuary.

The council coordinator and LNWC chairperson will provide day-to-day oversight, guidance and support and adjust work plan accordingly. The LNWC Steering Committee, on a bi-annual basis, will conduct an employee evaluation. The Action Plan Committee monitors action plan implementation. The council chair will submit a quarterly report highlighting implementation progress.

Planner Duties

Riparian Restoration

Identify of sites in need of riparian enhancement

Identify and contact land owners

Develop grant proposals

Arrange for volunteer participation in planting activities

Provide overall supervision of the implementation of the grant.

Fish passage

Culverts -

Develop priorities for replacement of the 23 culverts that block fish passage on low gradient streams.

Contact culvert owners and develop strategy for removing or replacing each culvert.

Develop grant proposal for culvert replacement.

Provide supervision of the implementation of grants to improve fish passage.

Direct volunteers in visiting culverts on higher gradient streams to determine if they block fish passage.

Tide gates

Work with the Creamery Association to develop a grant proposal to update tide gates to improve fish passage in the lower Nehalem

Provide supervision of the implementation of the grant.

In-stream habitat

Identify Locations for large wood placement based on Habitat survey data from ODFW and watershed council habitat surveys.

Develop strategies for obtaining and placing the large wood at identified sites.

Develop grant proposals for obtaining any needed funding

Estuary

Conduct an estuary assessment based on OWEB guidelines

Provide guidance to an estuary study group

Organize the bi-annual estuary clean-up in 2003

Land acquisition projects

Identify land that can be returned to the estuary for productive fish habitat.

Identify freshwater land that needs be protected from development/ logging because of it's importance as fish habitat.

Develop proposals for acquisition of the land when appropriate.

Water Quality

Coordinate volunteer water quality data collection and analysis

Monthly water quality sampling for E-coli, temperature, DO, and terbidity,

Summer temperature data (Vemcos)

Fall storm events for e-coli

Fall Macroinvertribrate sampling

Maintain data base on water quality findings and develop GIS data layers

Daily oversight of daily council operations

Coordinate acquisition of office supplies

Maintain fiscal records in Quick books

Maintain records of volunteer time and mileage.

Coordinate office mailing

Develop news releases related to council activities