- Agency
- Merrimack River Watershed Council
- Location
- Lawrence, MA
- Job Category
- Full time Positions
- Salary
- $55,000 – $62,000
- Start Date
- 02/01/2023
- Last Date to Apply
- 01/08/2023
- Website
- https://www.merrimack.org
- Description
- WATER QUALITY PROJECT MANAGER The Merrimack River Watershed Council (MRWC) seeks a full-time Water Quality Project Manager to join our dynamic and growing team. This role is ideal for someone who is a highly organized self-starter and prides themselves on 1) technical skills in water quality, 2) collaboration and leadership skills, and 3) project management experience. If you have a strong work ethic, passionate drive, and enduring commitment to water and climate justice in our watershed, consider joining our team. About MRWC: The MRWC is a nonprofit environmental organization that protects and improves the Merrimack River Watershed for all people and wildlife through science, education, recreation, and advocacy. Our mission is a mandate to both protect our communities from environmental harm and to educate and engage residents in restoring our vital natural resources. We work with diverse stakeholders, decision makers and communities to address threats including water pollution, habitat loss, aging infrastructure, and climate change. We also promote public access to the river and its greenspaces. MRWC has a main office in Lawrence, Massachusetts and a secondary office in Concord, New Hampshire. However, MRWC works throughout the entire 5,000 square mile watershed, which begins in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and flows out to the ocean at Newburyport and Salisbury, Massachusetts. About the Position: The Water Quality Project Manager will work closely with MRWC Program Managers to 1) manage and refine MRWC’s water quality monitoring program, 2) work with partners to implement watershed-based plans and green infrastructure project development for climate resilience and water quality improvements, and 3) engagement of a diverse group of stakeholders to solve water related issues, including members of the community, local organizations, and state and federal agencies. The Project Manager will lead programing to monitor and analyze the physical, chemical and biological integrity of the Mighty Merrimack River and its tributaries. The Project Manager will build out partnerships with local organizations and key agencies to identify and adopt science-based solutions to water quality and quantity issues along the Merrimack River and disseminate findings to stakeholders. The Project Manager will support various efforts of water quality projects, including stakeholder coordination, prioritizing solutions to complex issues, and acquiring funding to implement them. This involves collaborating on the development of watershed planning efforts, scientific studies, and grant proposals, as well as reviewing budgets, providing oversight of consultants, developing and/or reviewing reports and planning documents, and coordinating with partners. The Project Manager must have a commitment to a collaborative, partnership-based atmosphere, and the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects and deadlines. The desire to contribute to a mission-driven organization which entails working independently and as a team member will be the key to success at MRWC. This position will report to the MA Water Resources Program Manager and will also work closely with the NH Water Resources Program Manager and the Policy and Education Specialist. Location: This position is based out of our Lawrence, MA office. Work and field work will occur across the entire watershed, primarily focused in the Massachusetts portion of the watershed. MRWC promotes a flexible work schedule with the possibility to work remotely a few days a week when field work and in-office work are not required. Water monitoring and river events happen regularly throughout the watershed so regular travel and field work within the watershed should be expected. Schedule: Full-time exempt with options for flexible scheduling. This position requires occasional early morning or weekend sampling, and occasional evening meetings and weekend events. Key Responsibilities: Water quality monitoring program coordination o Manage and refine MRWC’s volunteer-based water quality monitoring on the main stem of the Merrimack, including regular year-round sampling, hotspot monitoring, data analysis, and technical reporting o Adjust and improve the program over time to ensure program is scientifically sound and efficient o Train and coordinate volunteers across the Merrimack River o Manage data collection, data recording, QA/QC, and upload to EPA database o Maintain water quality monitoring equipment and supply inventory o Analyze samples using our in-house IDEXX system o Communicate findings to local, state and federal partners through presentations, meetings, and public speaking engagements o Identify areas for further study or for targeted solutions, based on data findings o Build connections between water quality programming and other areas of the organization such as community engagement, youth education, restoration and others Watershed planning o Lead the development of EPA 9-point watershed-based plans in the Spicket and Shawsheen Rivers aimed at studying and solving non-point source pollution issues, including: Designing water quality monitoring studies Coordinating with the EPA and commercial labs for sample analysis Conducting background research on water quality issues Engaging stakeholders to identify water quality issues and potential solutions Facilitating the design of Best Management Practices for stormwater and non-point source pollution management o Support municipalities in developing and implementing climate resilient, nature- based solutions to flooding and water quality o Promote watershed-wide mindset and cross-municipality collaboration in water management Stakeholder engagement o Build enduring local partnerships to advance water quality improvement projects, collaborative solutions, and investments o Expand the number of community connections of the MRWC with community members, volunteers, businesses, local organizations, and municipal government departments, particularly in environmental justice communities Project development o Identify key solutions to water quality issues and work with the Program Managers and external partners to develop projects around those solutions o Leverage existing projects and relationships to develop new project ideas At MRWC, our goal is to find the best candidate for the job. While the qualifications below aim to outline the expected qualities and areas of expertise that would make a candidate successful, we understand that there are highly valuable areas of both lived and professional experience that you may have that may not be captured here. We encourage you to apply, even if you feel you may not meet all of the qualifications outlined here, are differently qualified, and/or if you have a less traditional background. Ultimately, we seek a Project Manager who is a collaborative self-starter, motivated to take on new challenges, passionate about making change in the Merrimack River Watershed and MRWC’s mission, and seeks to grow their career in watershed science. We are looking for applicants with the following qualifications: Required Qualifications: • Strategic thinker with the desire to develop collaborative solutions to complex problems • Demonstrated success leading groups • Excellent inter-personal, verbal and written communication skills • Ability to develop and carry out scientific studies – design a study, collect data, manage data analysis, and draw conclusions • Passion for working within diverse communities and ensuring equity and inclusion in MRWC’s work • Interest in making technical concepts accessible to all audiences • Bachelor’s degree + 4 years (or Master’s degree + 2 years) of relevant work experience in environmental science, hydrology, biology, ecology, environmental chemistry, civil/environmental engineering, public health, environmental planning, or related field • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite Preferred Qualifications: • Project management experience • Bilingual in Spanish (spoken and written) • Familiarity and community connections within Lawrence, Lowell, Methuen, or nearby area • Proficient in GIS software and/or ArcGIS Online tools • Experience with data visualization and programming software, such as R, Tableau or Visual Basic **This position requires occasional field work, including on water, in boats, or on uneven terrain. Salary and Benefits: Starting salary will be between $55,000 – $62,000. Benefits package includes a health insurance contribution, retirement account with company match, paid holidays and time off, paid family and medical leave through the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Act, and mileage reimbursement for work related travel. To Apply: Submit a cover letter and resume, detailing your interest and qualifications to careers@merrimack.org with the subject line “Water Quality Project Manager.” Applications will be considered until January 8, 2023 at 5 pm. No calls, please. At the Merrimack River Watershed Council, we don’t just value difference — we celebrate it and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our services, and our community. MRWC is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer.
- Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree + 4 years (or Master’s degree + 2 years) of relevant work experience in environmental science, hydrology, biology, ecology, environmental chemistry, civil/environmental engineering, public health, environmental planning, or related field To Apply: Submit a cover letter and resume, detailing your interest and qualifications to careers@merrimack.org with the subject line “Water Quality Project Manager.” Applications will be considered until January 8, 2023 at 5 pm. No calls, please.
- Contact Person
- careers@merrimack.org
- Contact eMail
- careers@merrimack.org
