Great Job Opportunity in NWA for a Watershed Warrior....

[Half Ton]

PO Box 636
Kimberling City, MO 65686
417-739-5001
http://www.ozarkswaterwatch.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Operations Manager – Arkansas

Note to applicants: The most important requirements for this position are PASSION for water quality and the environment, the ABILITY to acquire and learn the duties and the PERSONALITY to work with a wide range of individuals. The Responsibilities and Duties listed below include things that can be acquired while on the job and should not discourage any interested party from applying.

The Position and Organization

Under the direct supervision of the President/Executive Director, the Operations Manager for Arkansas is responsible for the successful operation of Ozarks Water Watch in Arkansas. This position requires diverse administrative skills including initiative, resourcefulness, sound judgment and discretion. This is a full-time position located in Northwest Arkansas.

Incorporated in 2001 as the Upper White River Basin Foundation and now doing business as the Ozarks Water Watch Foundation, the organization has a mission to promote water quality in the Upper White River watershed through bi-state collaboration on research, education, public policy and action projects basin-wide in the 19 counties in southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas which comprise the Upper White River basin. Further information about the organization can be accessed on the Foundation’s website at http://www.ozarkswaterwatch.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; .

Priority Concerns of the Foundation

• Monitoring and reporting on water quality in the basin.
• Providing advocacy on public policy issues affecting water quality and watersheds in the region.
• Emphasizing public information, education, promotion and communication about water quality issues.
• Supporting allied watershed groups working in common cause.
• Promoting long-term sustainable funding support for water quality work in the Ozarks.
• Supporting and administering water quality action projects throughout the basin.

Responsibilities and Duties (in conjunction with and support from the President/Executive Director)

1. Plans, implements and supervises projects and program initiatives in furtherance of the mission and priority interests of the Foundation.
2. Develops and strengthens relationships with governmental, corporate and not-for-profit organizations in support of the Foundation’s mission.
3. Encourages and motivates partner organizations to support projects and initiatives consistent with the Foundation’s priority concerns.
4. Informs policy and decision makers about water quality issues through a variety of venues and media.
5. Identifies potential funding sources for Foundation projects and priorities, prepares grant and project proposals and applications as appropriate and manages grants received.
6. Recommends strategic plans and priorities to the President/Executive Director and implements the plans when approved.
7. Along with the President/Executive Director, serves as the Foundation’s public representative to stakeholder groups, the news media and government agencies at the local, county, state and federal levels.
8. Helps assure that Foundation programs and projects are supported by sound science.
9. Provides advocacy on public policy issues and matters consistent with the Foundation’s mission and priorities.
10. Provides information to the President/Executive Director, Board, legislators and government regulators about the impact of current and proposed laws, regulations and policies relating to water resources.
11. Provides regular updates on activities to the President/Executive Director and Board.

Knowledge. Skills and Abilities Required

1. Positive attitude and ethics.
2. Passion/interest/education in water quality and/or science and environmental issues.
3. Commitment to an entrepreneurial approach in pursuing water quality projects, public policy initiatives and water quality goals.
4. Ability to build a coalition of diverse stakeholders to achieve a common goal.
5. Ability to communicate complex concepts, both orally and in writing, to a broad range of constituents, stakeholders and the general public.
6. Experience in making persuasive professional and/or technical verbal presentations to government officials, corporate executives or the general public including the use of media.
7. Demonstrated use of creative problem solving skills, preferably in a public policy context.
8. Ability to compose and prepare written documents effectively.
9. Ability to understand, assimilate and draw valid conclusions from scientific information related to water quality issues and policies.
10. Ability to establish appropriate work plans based on organizational priorities.
11. Ability to shift priorities quickly in response to changing situations.
12. Ability to work irregular hours as the occasion demands with periodic overnight trips.
13. Possession of a valid driver’s license and appropriate and reliable transportation.

Additional Desirable Qualifications:

1. Past or present residential experience in Arkansas, with an emphasis on communities within the subject watershed region.
2. Appropriate educational credentials including bachelors and graduate degrees.
3. Vocational or avocational experience with environmental issues, particularly those related to water resources.
4. Experience in developing public relations and communication plans for public policy issues.

If interested, contact:

David Casaletto, President/Executive Director
Phone: 417-739-5001 Cell: 417-230-2111
Email: dcasaletto@ozarkswaterwatch.org

[JasonK]

Watershed protection and conservation is picking up real steam in NWA. This is indeed a freat opportunity.