Coordinator

Upper San Juan Watershed Enhancement Partnership Coordinator

Release Date: February 28, 2023

Application Deadline: March 27, 2023

The Upper San Juan Watershed Enhancement Partnership (WEP) is a community-based stakeholder group based in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. WEP was formed in the summer of 2018 to lead an effort to understand local water related values and needs in the Upper San Juan River watershed, and to identify opportunities to engage in collaborative projects that benefit all water uses. Using a community engagement process, in 2022 WEP completed an Integrated Water Management Plan (IWMP) that evaluates environmental, recreational, and agricultural infrastructure water needs and identifies cooperative projects that, if implemented, would assist in addressing the identified needs. With the IWMP completed, WEP has turned its focus to implementation of identified projects and has obtained a grant from the Bureau of Reclamation, Cooperative Watershed Management Program (BOR grant), to hire a coordinator to assist in the effort. Trout Unlimited (TU) is the fiscal agent for BOR’s grant.

More information about WEP and the recently completed IWMP can be found at WEPs temporary website https://www.mountainstudies.org/sanjuan/smp Request for Proposals

WEP seeks a qualified individual to serve as its Coordinator. The Coordinator will provide WEP project management, organizational, administrative, community outreach, and other support, as further described in this document. This is a one-year contract position, estimated to require an average of 30-40 hours per week. WEP is in the process of seeking additional funding and, contingent on obtaining the additional funding, the selected coordinator may be renewed for additional years. The compensation range for this contract is from $35 to $42 per hour, depending on experience. The selected individual will be expected to attend in-person meetings in the Pagosa Springs area. There is a $3,000 maximum stipend for travel if the selected individual resides outside of Archuleta County. There is no permanent office, workspace or equipment associated with this contract position and the compensation package does not include benefits or any other compensation. The selected Coordinator will enter into a Professional Services Agreement with TU, as the fiscal agent for WEP.

WEP’s Goals and Objectives WEP goals include: • Implement cooperative projects and measures that help address identified water use needs within the WEP project area in a manner that (1) increases the sustainability of water resources in the face of drought and climate change, (2) promotes ecological processes, biological diversity, and stream health, and (3) promotes the local community’s wellbeing. • Maintain, and expand as appropriate, the current partnership/alliance of organizations/ entities that are representative of the agricultural, environmental, industrial, municipal, and recreational interests within the community • Educate, engage, and elicit input from the community in the identification, support, development, funding, and implementation of said projects

WEP’s objectives include: • Establish itself as a legal, non-profit entity capable of applying for grants, signing contracts, and generally taking actions necessary to advance its goals and objectives • Implement and oversee two river restoration projects that are currently funded • Develop conceptual designs and preliminary engineering, apply for grants, and take other actions needed to develop a portfolio of additional shovel-ready priority projects • Seek stakeholder input on specific project proposals and additional project ideas • Provided WEP is successful in obtaining construction funding and there is general community support, begin on-the-ground implementation of a portfolio of priority projects Tasks The selected

WEP Coordinator’s duties include: • Administrative: o Assist in WEP’s incorporation as a non-profit organization, including filing documents, assisting in the development of articles of incorporation, bylaws, and mission statement; and any other activity related to incorporation and attaining 501(c)3 status. o Convene WEP meetings, prepare notes, and follow up on all identified tasks o Assist WEP’s Board in the conduct of everyday business, including accounting/working with bookkeeper; responding to queries; working with vendors; etc. • Fundraising: o Working with the Board, assist WEP obtain funding for implementation of projects, including applying for grants and other fundraising o Manage grants, including finalizing grant agreements and complying with grant reporting requirements • Project Management: o Assist with and lead WEP’s implementation of projects, including assisting WEP retain consultants and contractors to design and build projects (prepare and publish RFPs, coordinate selection process, etc.) o Communicate with selected consultants and contractors to ensure projects proceed on time and within budget • Stakeholder/public outreach: o Assist WEP with public outreach efforts, including setting up and managing WEP’s website; preparing and distributing newsletters; setting up and attending stakeholder/community meetings; meeting with and/or presenting to stakeholders and public officials; preparing marketing materials; assisting with media efforts; etc. • Other coordination duties necessary to achieve WEP’s goals Education & Experience Graduation from a four‐year accredited college or university preferable Experience with project management Experience fundraising, working with nonprofits and/or board of directors and managing external consultants will be very favorably considered Skills and Abilities • Sound management principles and practices • Ability to use independent judgment in daily responsibilities • Fundraising • Strong time management • Works effectively under deadlines • Proven written and verbal communication • Experience with social media; Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc; Excel, WORD, Powerpoint

The following additional skills and abilities are not required but will be very favorably considered: • Experience with leading or facilitating the activities of non-profit or similar organizations • Experience overseeing contractors, especially those accomplishing stream restoration References All applicants must provide three references.