Water Resources Associate

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

 

Title: Water Resources Associate
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Reports to: Edward Backus, Vice President of Fisheries
Date posted: August 29, 2012
Application deadline: September 24, 2012

Summary
Ecotrust’s mission is to inspire fresh thinking that creates economic, social, and environmental well-being. Among Ecotrust’s many innovations are co-founding the world’s first environmental bank, starting the world’s first ecosystem investment fund, creating a range of programs in fisheries, forestry, food and farms, and developing new scientific and information tools to improve social, economic, and environmental decision-making. For over 20 years, Ecotrust has converted $80 million in grants and investments into more than $500 million in capital for local communities from Alaska to California. Our work in Alaska includes the Copper River Program and the Community Fisheries Network, as well as economic analysis of development options.

The Copper River Program works to implement a triple bottom line vision through a set of projects that identify critical salmon habitats, gather river flow data to secure water rights for salmon and rural communities, and promote the involvement of a broad range of stakeholders in resource planning and management. Ongoing Ecotrust projects in Alaska include creating and expanding the Copper River Knowledge System, and supporting the Ahtna Tribal Conservation District as a new watershed scale community organization.

The Water Resources Associate will work closely with the Vice President of Fisheries and other senior staff to develop and implement a water program focusing on instream flow reservations for the Copper River and other places in Alaska. This position will coordinate with state and federal agencies, Alaska Native tribes and tribal non-profits, other non-profits, and local stakeholders. This position will be based in Anchorage, Alaska.

The State of Alaska is a mosaic of land ownerships and jurisdictional issues — all with implications for determining how water quantity and quality issues play out over the coming years. The issue of instream flow reservations is increasingly significant in Alaska, due in part to the incredible wealth of anadromous fish runs within the state, and to the unique communities that rely on these anadromous runs for their survival. Free-flowing water is also essential to the health of local communities and economies. Natural stream and river systems provide many beneficial values and services, including flood mitigation, groundwater recharge, navigation, nutrient transport and recycling, pollution attenuation, water supplies, biological productivity, aesthetic values, and recreational opportunities. Instream flow is necessary to sustain these and other utilitarian and intrinsic values. A good understanding of how instream flow levels and regimes relate to these values, and the scale of alteration from the natural condition, is necessary for informed river management.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the completion of data collection and analysis projects on instream flow in select sub-watersheds of the Copper River (with contractors and agencies);
• Submitting formal applications for instream flow reservations to the State of Alaska as appropriate;
• Using watershed mapping tools and analytical approaches to identify strategically located places for proposed water reservations, in association with the Ecotrust Alaska GIS Analyst;
• Working with stakeholders in many of Alaska’s watersheds to identify the basis for proposed instream flow reservations that jointly meet local interests and the needs of wild salmon;
• Establishing broad-based understanding and support among key constituencies to create and advance new and innovative approaches to instream flow reservations for fish in Alaska;
• Engaging local communities to identify shared interests in instream flow reservations in preparation for future submittals of applications;
• Developing and implementing a strategic plan to explore various options and alternatives to establish a more efficient and effective approach to statewide instream flow reservations;
• Preparing individual project/program elements, work plans, and budgets;
• Securing new sources of funding for projects;
• Assisting in the preparation of grant applications for new projects, contracts, and final project reports; and
• Coordinating and creating water-related media pieces, in association with the Ecotrust Communications Team.

Minimum qualifications include a graduate-level degree in water resources management or a closely related field, and experience with water policy and planning. The successful candidate will have demonstrated leadership, administrative and communications skills, and an ability to work well and collaborate with others.

Salary competitive depending on experience and qualifications. Excellent benefits package including retirement plan grants and match, medical and dental insurance, flexible spending account, life insurance and disability coverage.

How to Apply:
Please send a cover letter, application, and resumé to:
AK Water Resources Associate
Ecotrust
721 NW 9th Avenue, Suite 200
Portland, OR 97209

Or email to: akwaterassoc AT ecotrust DOT org

Application Deadline: September 24, 2012

No phone calls, please.