California Water Policy Director

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

Trout Unlimited (TU) is North America's leading coldwater fisheries conservation organization, dedicated to the conservation, protection and restoration of trout and salmon fisheries and their watersheds. The organization has more than 140,000 members in 400 chapters across the United States, including 10,000 members in California. TU's vision is that, by the next generation, trout and salmon will be restored throughout their native range so that our children can enjoy healthy fisheries in their home waters. To accomplish this vision, TU works to protect, reconnect, and restore fish populations and their habitat, and to sustain this work by building a diverse movement of businesses, people, and communities dedicated to our mission.

TU seeks an experienced, passionate leader for its water policy program. The California Water Policy Director will have outstanding analytic and communication skills, a background in water rights, stream flow protection, and/or hydropower reform, and a strong record of accomplishment.

Trout Unlimited created its California Water Project in 2002 to improve stream flows and water management throughout the state. Trout, salmon and steelhead require clean, cold water to survive, but decades of mismanagement and neglect have caused all California trout and salmon species to decline. One of the major problems is a simple one: too many rivers have too little water. The California Water Project works with state and federal agencies to reform water law and policy and with individual farmers and landowners to restore and enhance streamflows.

Responsibilities

• Work at the state level to enhance instream flows, reform water law, and improve management of water supplies. This will include work in a variety of water right proceedings, enforcement of Fish and Game Code section 5937, and development of the reasonable use and public trust doctrines. It will include administrative proceedings on individual projects, water right proceedings to set streamflows on major Sacramento and San Joaquin River tributaries, and large, multi-party negotiations.
• Secure beneficial streamflows and fish passage at large dams through the hydropower relicensing process. Current projects include complex license proceedings and settlement efforts on the Klamath, Yuba, Merced, and Tuolumne Rivers.
• Provide water right counsel and strategic advice for the California Water Project's stewardship initiatives that work cooperatively with farmers, ranchers, and homeowners to improve streamflows and water supply reliability.
• Develop and manage budgets for TU's California water policy initiatives, in cooperation with other California Water Project staff and the State Director.
• Investigate, design, and implement new initiatives to improve streamflows for rivers.
• In coordination with other TU staff, raise revenue to meet program budget, secure new funding sources, and maintain strong relationships with existing funders.
• Build and maintain positive relations with TU's California grassroots members through direct engagement with TU's California State Council and TU Chapters.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key elected officials, policy-makers, and resource managers.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 4 years of experience in water law, water policy, streamflow management, hydropower licensing, or a related discipline.
• A law degree and/or extensive professional experience working on the legal aspects of water right and streamflow management.
• Demonstrable success in working with diverse stakeholders and building partnerships; specific experience working cooperatively with sportsmen/women and agricultural interests a plus.
• Knowledge of federal and state level politics relevant to TU's mission.
• Successful fundraising and budget management experience a plus.
• Understanding of natural resource policy and management issues relevant to the conservation of trout and salmon and their habitats, advocacy experience in legislative and administrative forums a plus.
• A sense of humor, outstanding written and oral communication skills, strong organization skills, and the ability to work independently.
• A passion for rivers and conservation is necessary; an obsession with fishing is a plus.

The position will be located in the California Program's Berkeley headquarters and will report to the California Director. Salary and benefits are competitive with other national not-for-profit conservation organizations; salary is commensurate with experience. The position requires frequent travel within California. TU is an equal opportunity employer. Applicant must have a bank account for direct deposit of pay and reimbursement of expenses.

How to Apply

Please send a cover letter, resume, and references by email to:
Brian Johnson at bjohnson@tu.org and include "CA Water Policy Director Application" in the subject line.

No phone inquiries, please. Applications will be accepted until at least January 31, 2012. The position will remain open until filled.