Program Coordinator

About the role

The Programs Coordinator provides support to the General Manager in overseeing the day-to-day District operations and coordinates core Southwestern Water Conservation District programs, including the District's outreach and education activities. The position also provides administrative support and assists the General Manager with special projects as they arise, including Board administration and coordination. The General Manager provides day-to-day supervision of the position, with additional guidance and oversight provided by the SWCD Board of Directors.

Responsibilities

• Programs Coordination (approximately 55%)
  • SWCD's Grant Program: Work with grant applicants to clarify guidelines and application requirements; prepare evaluation of grant applications and make recommendations to the Board using the SWCD Grant Program Guidelines; ensure SWCD's reporting requirements are met, and generate annual program report to the Board. Annually review and recommend updates to the Board of the SWCD Grant Program Guidelines.
  • Implementation of B2E Grant: Hold regular group and individual project coordination meetings with subrecipients. Monitor subrecipients' compliance with grant and related contractual terms. Assist in contracting process with Bureau of Reclamation and subrecipients. Develop and implement communication strategy with stakeholders and members of the public.
  • Animas Water Rights Program: After initial review by the General Manager, guide Notice of Intent (NOI) applications through SWCD's process, including drafting quitclaim deeds and other correspondence related to making absolute increments of the conditional water rights decreed in Case Nos. 06CW127 and 05CW88 (Water Division 7); verify depletion calculations completed by the District's consultants and update the annual depletions log entered in Case No. 06CW127, and ensure notice of intent process is adhered to.
  • Weather Modification Program: Support the General Manager and other stakeholders within the District with budget and contract development. Identify and secure annual funding partners for all three weather modifications programs the District is a partner on.
  • Streamgaging Program: Identify and secure annual funding partners to support the District in managing its joint funding agreement with the United States Geological Survey.
• Water Information Program (approximately 25%)
  • Serve as the event producer and content coordinator for Water Information Program events throughout Southwest Colorado, including: SWCD's annual Spring Water Seminar (typically held in late March) – responsibilities include event planning and logistics, vendor coordination, sponsorships, agenda development, speaker recruitment, and other event-related tasks; SWCD's annual Children's Water Festival (held each May); Water Law in a Nutshell or similar educational course; Forest-to-Faucets Teacher Training Workshop.
  • Manage the WIP website, social media accounts, and announcements.
  • Lead public outreach and education efforts for WIP programs and events while identifying and engaging new audiences throughout Southwest Colorado.
  • Manage and seek new WIP partnerships.
  • Coordination of the WIP Steering Committee.
• Additional District Outreach & Representation (approximately 10%)
  • Assist the General Manager with developing content for materials or presentations; and drafting resolutions, letters of support, newsletter articles, and other correspondence.
  • Assist with District events and organizational activities, including education and outreach programs, public inquiries, meetings, records requests, and other duties assigned in support of District operations, as needed.
  • Subject to the review of the General Manager, draft the District newsletter that may contain original articles, links to other regional and statewide water-related articles, and a calendar of upcoming events.
  • Work in coordination with the District's state lobbyist and provide necessary support to the Board and General Manager relative to legislative activities of interest.
  • Consult and coordinate with the District's General Counsel (or Special Counsel, as appropriate) prior to publicly discussing or taking any positions on any legal issues or topics of negotiation, and/or responding to related informational requests.
  • Serve as an alternate for the General Manager on Colorado Water Congress State and Federal Affairs Committee meetings.
  • Represent SWCD in local and regional events and processes as assigned, and other efforts as assigned.
• Miscellaneous (approximately 10%)
  • Provide administrative and operational support across District programs and functions, including Board administration and coordination, drafting meeting minutes, human resources, front office operations, fiscal and grant administration, contract management, communications, and general office administration, as needed.
  • Travel to meetings and events as directed by the Board or General Manager.
  • Any other job duties as assigned by the General Manager, SWCD Board or its personnel committee.
  • Abide by and ensure compliance with all District personnel policies; Federal, State and Local employment laws; and all applicable Wage and Hour laws.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in Environmental Science, Water Resources, Engineering or related natural resources field
• Four (4) years of work experience in a natural resource field is preferred
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills
• Proficient with Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Adobe
• Organizational and time management skills
• A valid Colorado driver's license (or ability to obtain within 3 months of hiring) as well as valid motor vehicle insurance which meets Colorado's minimum requirements

Qualifications

• Knowledge of geographic area and river basins in southwest Colorado
• Background in water issues, water rights, or water policy
• Experience in management of natural resource programs
• Experience with event coordination, public outreach, and educational activities
• Experience with grant programs
• Experience leading or assisting with event planning & coordination
• Experience performing administrative tasks
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to multi-task
• Detail oriented
• Ability to work well independently as well as with a team

Benefits

• Paid Time Off (PTO) and holidays
• Retirement plan
• Health and life insurance

Pay

Anticipated pay range is $55,000 to $70,000 annually. Annual pay for this position will be set commensurate with the successful candidate's qualifications and in compliance with the State and Federal equal pay laws.