Assistant Director, Willamette River Initiative

~ In Fiscal Year 2014 that ended March 31, 2014, Meyer Memorial Trust (MMT) invested more than $36 million in 334 new grants and five program-related investments to nonprofit organizations operating and serving in Oregon and Clark County, Washington. ~

In addition, the Trust's $3.5 million operating costs supported the local and regional economy.

The nonprofit sector is an important but sometimes overlooked part of the United State's economy, accounting for 9.2% of all wages and salaries in the U.S. in 2010, according to The Nonprofit Almanac. Nonprofit organizations employed some 13.7 million people that year, more than manufacturing (11.8 million employees) and more than construction, finance and insurance industries combined.

Since it began operating in 1982, MMT has provided more than $658 million to the regional economy through the nonprofit sector, primarily in Oregon and Clark County, Washington. We have awarded funds in every one of Oregon's 36 counties and about 80% of cities, communities and unincorporated places in the state. Through our operating budget, we have contributed more than another $55 million to the area's economy since 1982. 

Position Overview

Meyer Memorial Trust (MMT) is seeking for a Willamette River Assistant Director to work in close collaboration with the Willamette River Initiative (WRI) team and other MMT leadership to shape overall initiative direction; implement projects and programs in support of WRI goals and objectives; represent MMT and WRI at partner, interagency, and community meetings; and engage in on-going communications and outreach efforts to WRI grantees, partners, and other Willamette River stakeholders.

This position requires in-depth knowledge of environmental policy and natural resource management issues related to river health, as well as a thorough familiarity with the state, federal and local agencies involved in management and protection of the Willamette River system.

The WRI launched as a 10-year program in 2008 and is currently scheduled to sunset at the end of March 2019. This is a limited duration position, with a targeted start date of May 15th, 2015.

Initiative Summary:

The Willamette River Initiative (WRI) is one of several MMT funding initiatives designed to address particularly complex regional problems. MMT established the Willamette River Initiative (WRI) in July 2008.

The initiative has four goals: 

• Improving river health;
• Fostering better alignment of river-focused agencies and organizations around a shared vision and priorities;
• Strengthening the non-profit groups that work on river and stream restoration in the Willamette Basin; and
• Creating a national model for philanthropic involvement in work of this nature.

Note: WRI awards $1.5 - 2.5 million per year in support of these goals. 

Responsibilities

Overall Initiative Direction:

• Work with the WRI director, MMT's Chief Executive Officer, and other key advisors to identify and develop grantmaking and other strategies in support of WRI's mission and goals.
• With WRI team, report periodically to the MMT board of trustees to review initiative strategies, implementation progress and lessons learned, and seek their feedback and guidance.
• Work with the WRI director to engage grantees, partners and other external advisors in the development of shared conservation and restoration priorities; resilient local and regional implementing institutions; and the tools and services needed to foster long-term collective impact in support of a positive trajectory for the river and its tributaries.

General Initiative Implementatio:

• Assist in leading the process to award $1.5 - 2.5 million in annual WRI grants. 

1. Investigate grant proposals through in-depth, objective analysis of the applicant organization and the proposed project. This may include extensive research; site visits to the applicant organization or project; review of organizational and financial information; and conversations with experts in the field, community members, and others who can inform a thorough understanding of the opportunity presented to the Trust. 
2. Prepare written reports and recommendations regarding grant proposals for WRI director and CEO approval.
3. Work with the Bonneville Environmental Foundation to ensure MMT's grants to watershed councils participating in the Willamette Model Watershed Program produce desired results.
4. Work with other funders (e.g. the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, Bonneville Power Administration, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife) to coordinate funding programs and policies and maximize opportunities to leverage MMT funds.  

• Convene and coordinate - independently and in collaboration with other organizations - conferences, peer-to-peer exchanges, and other multi-stakeholder gatherings.
• Work with WRI director to produce (or oversee the production of) credible independent research as needed to advance initiative goals and strategies.
• Work with partners to develop long-term strategies to develop additional sources of funding for river and stream restoration in the Willamette Basin. 
• Identify and support implementation of practices and processes to improve coordination and execution of restoration funding and implementation. 

Communications and Outreach:

• Serve as the public face of the initiative at agency and community meetings.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with Willamette stakeholders (state and federal agencies, municipalities, local watershed groups, non-profits, policy makers, business community).
• Work with the WRI team, MMT Communications Staff, and external consultants as necessary to develop and maintain accessible and accurate information regarding the initiative in print and electronic media, including social media.
• Conduct or oversee policy analyses and outreach to decision makers as necessary and appropriate to support initiative goals and strategies.
• Work with the WRI team and external stakeholders to identify and implement strategies and partnerships to foster greater understanding of and support for the river.

Additional Scope:

• Work closely with other staff members to evaluate WRI successes, challenges, and opportunities as a grantmaker and partner and ensure that we are continually improving, innovating and best serving the needs of our grantees and the community. 
• Work with WRI team to implement other projects and programs, including sharing information and lessons learned with other regional, state and international river restoration funders and implementing organizations.
• Work on other (non-WRI) MMT activities and projects as requested.

Equity:

• Offer personal interest and commitment to working in a diverse and inclusive work environment that places a high value on equity. 
• Participate in promoting a positive work place culture of collaboration, innovation, and respect. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish effective working relationships in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment (please refer to our MMT Equity Statement).

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree or equivalent experience preferred. 
• Evidence of significant professional accomplishments.
• Progressively responsible management of complex projects in the nonprofit or public sector. 
• Proven abilities in the areas of policy analysis, organizational development, and program design and delivery.
• Knowledge and experience in assessing community/organization/sector needs, challenges and opportunities with a special emphasis on conservation and the environment, and the capacity to listen to constituents/grant seekers/community members and then identify and conceptualize realistic and creative opportunities for private foundation involvement.
• Understanding of collaborative leadership, networks and cross-sector partnerships. 
• Proven ability to work well with people representing a variety of cultural, social-economic and geographic backgrounds.
• Proven aptitude for due diligence, including investigation, research and evaluation.
• Proven ability to approach issues with an open mind, creativity, and entertain unorthodox or novel solutions to problems.
• Strong and tactful communicator with strong oral and written presentation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and collaboration skills with people of diverse backgrounds.
• Willingness and ability to multi-task, function effectively as a team member, and work to advance the Trust as a whole.
• Computer skills, such as using MS Office, Excel, and presentation software.
• Travel is required. 

Compensation: Salary is commensurate with experience and includes excellent benefits.

To Apply

Please click below: "Apply Now Online!" to submit your cover letter with salary requirements and current resume with MS Word or Acrobat Reader, as  PDF file, by April 17th, 2015. 

~ Meyer Memorial Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ~