River Administrator

The National Wild and Scenic River System, administered by several federal agencies including the National Park Service, was created by an act of Congress in 1968. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act calls on the nation to select rivers with outstanding scenic, recreational, natural, historic, cultural, or similar values and preserve then in a free flowing condition.

In 2000 federal legislation designated White Clay Creek and its tributaries in Delaware and Pennsylvania part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. That marked the first time an entire watershed - rather than just a section of river - had been designated into the system. This "beyond-the-riverbank" approach takes into consideration the variety of influences outside the river corridor that affect river habitat and water quality.

Position Overview: 

The White Clay Creek Watershed Management Committee is seeking a River Administrator. The River Administrator is the spokesperson for the White Clay Creek Watershed Management Committee (WCCWMC) and assists the WCCWMC and its partner organizations, and the National Park Service, with implementing the goals and objectives of the White Clay Creek and Its Tributaries Watershed Management Plan (WMP).

The WCCWMC, with the assistance of the National Park Service, oversees the White Clay Wild and Scenic River Program, part of the National Wild and Scenic Partnership River Program. The River Administrator is the WCCWMC liaison to the National Park Service's (NPS) National Wild and Scenic Rivers Program and to the NPS coordinator for the White Clay Creek Scenic and Recreational River, all partnering organizations (including key partners White Clay Watershed Association and Natural Lands Trust), as well as the federal congressional delegations and state and local governments.

With the guidance of the Management Committee and National Park Service, the River Administrator determines the program work plan and budgets; provides administrative oversight for the various subcommittees and aids in the execution of selected projects.

The River Administrator must possess a high degree of self-motivation, organizational ability, and independence with a broad range of skills and experiences in the areas of administration, education and outreach, and project planning and implementation. The River Administrator tracks and monitors progress on the projects, assembles final reports (such as the annual progress report) for the WCCWMC and NPS, and keeps long-term files on the projects. For these reasons, the independent contractor fulfilling this role must maintain a home office.

The contract is for 20 hours per week with that time allocated approximately as follows: administrative duties (80%), education outreach and events (15%); and other projects (5%). There is the possibility of re-allocating time among the tasks as well as future expansion of hours/fee depending on available budget, work program needs and priorities, and the abilities and interests of the River Administrator.

Qualifications: 

Preferred Education and Experience:

Administrative Experience: overseeing projects, managing and maintaining a budget, working with diverse organizations and entities, writing contracts and grant applications, and basic awareness of public relations and marketing.

Knowledge of and experience in an environmental field (sciences, engineering, planning, and/or policy) is critical to implementation of the White Clay Creek WMP. A Master's Degree or equivalent experience in one or more of these fields is preferable.

Required Skill Set:

• Self-starter, independent worker, able to set priorities, multi-task, and interface efficiently.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with a wide range of organizations and individuals, and establish and maintain diplomatic relationships with committee members, partnering organizations, sub-contractors and the public.
• Articulate and comfortable in public speaking situations.
• Technically competent in basic river and watershed protection principles.
• Familiar with computer and office equipment maintenance.
• Familiar with the functions, laws and policies of various government levels in Delaware and Pennsylvania as they relate to water protection and water resources.
• Familiar with the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Program.
• Proficiency with the following software programs is essential for program continuity and function: Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Access; and Quicken or similar budget tracking system.
• Familiarity with open space preservation techniques and land use planning.
• Effective in grant writing and knowledge of funding resources.

Home Office Needs, Equipment and Travel:

The River Administrator provides his/her own working space for computer, files, and printed and display materials and a high speed internet connection.

Under temporary loan agreements with NPS, WCCWMC provides the River Administrator with the use of a telephone, camera, video projector with extension cord, laptop and printer/fax. WCCWMC also supplies some storage bins for office supplies, displays and printed materials, and archived files. WCCWMC provides telephone service and mileage for official travel based on the federal POV (privately owned vehicle) rate.

Additional Preferences

Residence within or proximity to the White Clay Creek watershed is preferred.

Compensation: The Contracted Fee for Service is $25,000-$30,000 per year.

Closing Date: October 22, 2010

To Apply:

Résumés and a list of 3 references should please be submitted by email.

For a full list of River Administrator tasks click here.