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Description
The Neponset River Watershed Association is seeking qualified candidates for the part-time position of Advocacy Director to help lead the Association's efforts to protect and restore the natural resources of the Neponset River and its watershed.
This permanent position is available immediately. It is presently funded for 20 hours per week. It may continue as a long-term, part-time position or there may be an opportunity to expand it into a full-time role in the next 12 to 24 months.
The schedule is very flexible but requires regular participation in evening meetings and occasional weekend events. The Advocacy Director reports to the Executive Director and works closely with the Association's Environmental Scientist, Outreach and Education Director and other staff.
Position BackgroundThe Advocacy Director is a key member of the Association's senior staff team, helping to achieve fishable-swimmable water quality standards, restore more natural in-stream flows, enhance and restore aquatic and wetland habitats, preserve natural areas and open the river up as a recreational resource for local residents.
Responsibilities
Some of the activities the Advocacy Director will assist over the next several years include:
- Provide technical assistance to watershed municipalities on updating stormwater bylaws, zoning, and other rules to reduce polluted runoff
- Encourage municipalities to allocate adequate funding for stormwater, water and wastewater infrastructure through mechanisms such as stormwater utility fees
- Work with public and private land owners during local and state permitting processes to ensure that wetland resources and in-stream flows are protected, appropriate public access is provided, stormwater pollution is prevented, contaminated sediments are cleaned up, and stream habitats are restored.
- Represent the Association before legislators and state or federal agencies on policy issues that affect water quality, streamflow, habitat, funding for infrastructure needs, and operating budgets for environmental agencies.
- Engage with permittees and agencies to ensure that water withdrawal, stormwater, and wastewater permits incorporate effective protections.
- Support efforts to increase ecosystem and infrastructure resiliency in the face of current and anticipated climate change.
- Organize community support and partnerships to advance the Association's agenda.
The successful applicant:
- Will have broad experience with environmental law, civil engineering, hydrology, or watershed management, with 3-5 years related work experience at a minimum. They may be rooted in a science, engineering, or policy background, but will be able to bridge all three of these disciplines.
- They will have worked with at least some of the following permitting programs: the MA Wetlands Protection Act, the Water Management Act, the MA Stormwater Policy, the USEPA MS4 program, the 21e program, and/or Chapter 91.
- They will have excellent writing skills and be able to write effectively for lay, legal, and technical audiences.
- They will have strong presentation skills and the ability to cultivate strong working relationships with agency and municipal officials in spite of the potential for differences of opinion.
- They will have a strong work ethic, and be able to plan projects and work independently in a fast paced environment.
- They will be motivated by the opportunity to apply their skills and creativity to advance the Association's mission.
Please submit a copy of your résumé and a cover letter describing your interest to Ian Cooke, Executive Director.