Local recruitment: Water Resources Manager

Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council

Petoskey, MI, USA 🇺🇸

Organization Description: Founded in 1979, the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting Michigan’s lakes, streams, wetlands, and ground water. Based in beautiful Petoskey, Michigan, the Watershed Council works on local issues in the watersheds of Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, and Emmet Counties, as well as state, federal, and binational policy. Hallmarks of the Council’s work include respected advocacy, watershed planning, innovative education, technically sound water quality monitoring, thorough research, collaboration, and empowering others. For more background information, check out www.watershedcouncil.org.

Position Summary: The Water Resources Manager reports to the Watershed Council’s executive director and oversees monitoring staff and seasonal interns who support field work and data analyses as part of the Watershed Council’s Comprehensive Water Quality Monitoring program. In addition to leading water quality monitoring in the field, as a senior member of the staff, the Water Resources Manager will oversee quality assurance project plans; ensure staff are trained in best scientific practices for field research; and develop and execute research projects. Additional responsibilities include building strong working relationships with state and local partners; staying abreast of the latest, relevant research and technology; making sure periodic reports required by grantors, contractors and the executive director are submitted in a timely manner; and delivering presentations as an ambassador for the Watershed Council on a regular basis.

Education, Skills, and Experience:

  • B.S. in biology, ecology, environmental science or similar and five years’ experience (Master’s degree or further education may account for experience in some cases).
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Experience managing staff and working with volunteers.
  • Demonstration of significant field work and project management experience.
  • Ability to operate/trailer a 15’ boat, kayak, and wade in streams and lakes.
  • Ability to identify Northern Michigan aquatic macroinvertebrates to family level.
  • Ability to identify aquatic and wetland plants to species level.
  • Knowledge of water quality standards and uses.
  • Use multi-parameter probes, discharge meters, and water samplers to collect water samples and physical data.
  • Experience developing data layers and maps using GIS software for watershed management plans, field surveys, inventories, reports, and other projects as needed. Create metadata for data layers developed in house.
  • Experience creating electronic data collection forms using ESRI Field Maps and Survey 123.
  • Create interactive story maps to share survey and monitoring results.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Set the schedule for seasonal water quality monitoring field work and determine staff teams for accomplishing monitoring goals and objectives.
  • Work with lake associations, local governments, academic institutions, and others to determine survey, inventory, and study needs; and develop proposals, funding options, and budgets.
  • Coordinate projects, including shoreline surveys, aquatic plant surveys, water quality monitoring, and stormwater monitoring
  • Manage water resources staff and interns.
  • Oversee volunteer stream and lake monitoring program, and avian botulism
  • Prepare, submit for approval, and implement Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPP) for collecting, identifying, and evaluating scientific data and information
  • Monitor budget (including staff time) for contracts and grants
  • Communicate with other staff about roles and responsibilities for each project
  • Arrange for laboratory analyses for different projects.
  • Work with stakeholders to implement plans; develop project ideas, identify and procure funding, and collaborate with partners to carry out projects.
  • Maintain open communications and encourage resource (knowledge and data) sharing and project collaboration with GIS professionals in other local, regional, and partner organizations and agencies.
  • Review requests for grant proposals, develop appropriate project ideas, and assist with writing and submitting proposals; implement grant monitoring projects and related reports, coordinating with other staff as necessary.

Additional Responsibilities:

  • Participate in staff meetings, retreats, and strategic planning sessions.
  • Serve as an ambassador to local communities on behalf of the Watershed Council
  • Answer citizen inquiries.
  • Participate in annual staff performance evaluations.
  • Track time and expenses in a timely manner.

Salary: $55,000 – $65,000 annual salary; negotiable based on experience; 40 hours/week.

Benefits Package: Medical, disability and life insurance; health savings account contribution; flexible spending accounts (medical and dependent care); retirement options: 403(b) or longevity compensation plan; paid personal and sick leave. Some flex time and onsite parking.

To Apply: Please send cover letter, resume with phone number and email address, and contact information for three professional references to: apply@watershedcouncil.org and type: “Water Resources Manager” in the subject line. Application packets can also be mailed to: TOMWC, RE: Water Quality Monitoring Manager, 426 Bay Street, Petoskey, MI 49770. Applications will be reviewed as received. Interested candidates should submit your application as soon as possible. The goal is to fill the position by April 14, 2023.


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DEGREE REQUIRED

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