Water Projects Coordinator, Southern AZ

The Nature Conservancy (All); Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nature Conservancy seeks a Southern Arizona Water Projects Coordinator to advance water conservation and watershed resilience in the San Pedro River and Sonoita Creek areas. Based in Tucson or nearby, you will work with staff, partners, and communities to implement diverse projects, from fieldwork to data management and outreach.

You’ll lead multidisciplinary teams, engage with governments and landowners, and use GIS tools to document progress and outcomes, while supporting internal planning

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree in science-related field and 3 years of related experience in ecological land management or similar field.
• Experience with natural systems, ecological land management principles, and/or water conservation or management.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate on multidisciplinary teams to plan and implement watershed projects in Southern Arizona.
• Plan, organize, and participate in citizen science events and engage volunteers.
• Develop and maintain external relationships with agencies, landowners, and partner groups.
• Utilize ArcGIS to produce maps for internal and external use.
• Draft grant proposals and manage contracts with specialists as needed.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Ecology knowledge

Education

BA/BS in science-related field

Tools

ArcGIS

Microsoft Office

Job description

What We Can Achieve Together:

The Southern Arizona Water Projects Coordinator is a member of the Arizona Water Program working to develop and leverage strong partner relations in high-priority conservation areas in Arizona with indigenous communities, research organizations, governments, corporate business sector, community organizations, national affiliates of international conservation and development organizations.

The Arizona Water Program implements a various set of projects ranging from surface water irrigation efficiency projects, integrated water management with rural communities and watershed condition improvements. The Water Program also supports collaborative efforts to engage local communities, tribal entities, state and federal agencies and landowners to implement projects, strategies and management actions that will enhance long-term water security for ecological resources and water users.

We’re Looking for You:

The Water Projects Coordinator, Southern Arizona works closely with Water Program staff, other TNC conservation staff, key partner organizations, and community members to implement projects that benefit freshwater ecosystems in Southern Arizona with a focus on the San Pedro River and Sonoita Creek watersheds. This position requires strong project management skills, a familiarity with dryland ecology and water resources, and a willingness to develop relationships with various stakeholders across rural Arizona. This position will focus on efforts to assess and improve the resilience of Southern Arizona river systems and the communities and ecosystems they support, including projects that reduce the impacts of groundwater pumping, increase aquifer recharge, mitigate flood impacts, and maintain or enhance habitat. The Projects Coordinator will work with TNC staff and partners to grow collective understanding of watershed conditions and the benefits of conservation efforts, while facilitating cross-watershed learning across Arizona.

Location: Tucson, Sierra Vista or other location within reasonable daily commuting proximity of the San Pedro River.

Essential functions include but not limited to:

A. Southern Arizona Water Projects Coordination (85%):

1. Collaborate on multi-disciplinary teams to assist in the development and implementation of projects that promote the resilience of ecosystems and communities across Southern Arizona, including in the Upper and Lower San Pedro River watersheds and the Sonoita Creek watershed. Projects and management strategies may involve water conservation and efficiency, process-based restoration, aquifer recharge, flood mitigation, and other integrated land and water management strategies for the protection of freshwater ecosystems. Project management activities may include:

• Oversight of grantees and contractors on project status and needs.
• Field visits with grantees, contractors, and other partners to facilitate project design and implementation.
• Project monitoring and data management.

2. Plan, organize, and participate in annual San Pedro River citizen science events such as Wet/Dry Mapping and BioBlitz with limited strategic support from Southern Arizona Water Projects Manager and other TNC staff.

• Lead coordination with partners including US Bureau of Land Management, private landowners, and watershed groups.
• Lead planning and organization of day‑of logistics for participants including TNC staff and volunteers.
• Lead volunteer training events and manage all advance and day‑of volunteer support.
• Engage and manage communications with volunteers, TNC staff, and landowners on project goals, processes, day‑of logistics, permissions, and outcomes.
• Utilize Microsoft and Esri programs to develop and maintain databases that facilitate event coordination, communication, and documentation of observations and lessons learned.
• Present on the project to stakeholders at multiple in‑person and virtual meetings per year.

3. Develop and maintain various external relationships to accomplish program goals with stakeholders such as 1) staff and elected officials from towns, cities, and county governments, 2) state and federal agencies, 3) conservation non‑profits, 4) farming and ranching organizations, and individual producers and 5) community groups and landowners.

• Participate and contribute to internal and external watershed groups.
• Lead and facilitate internal and external watershed groups, as needed.

4. Utilize ArcGIS to produce maps for internal and external uses.

5. TNC’s role within a project may include sourcing materials, developing community support for project, securing funding or other roles as needed based on project type and partner’s ability. This position will support implementation of high priority projects by:

• Drafting grant proposals,
• Presenting internally and externally on project objectives and activities.
• Negotiating, drafting and managing contracts with qualified specialists to develop project design.
• Working internally to assist in the development of project specific budget.
• Upholding TNC’s rules and responsibilities that are established for the project.

6. Under minimal supervision, make independent decisions based on analysis, experience, and context.

7. Be prepared to work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.

B. Support other Conservation Programs and Arizona Chapter Functions (15%)

1. Participate in Arizona Chapter and Colorado River Program meetings and planning efforts.

2. Support Southern Arizona Water Projects Manager in completion of planning documents, grant reporting and managing internal and external stakeholder processes.

3. Offer lessons learned and support related projects in other geographies and by other TNC programs when capacity allows and needs are identified.

4. Occasional travel within Arizona and in the U.S. with possible over‑night stays.

5. Participate in Water, Conservation, AZ Business Unit, Divisional, Regional and TNC‑wide meetings, trainings.

6. Perform own employee administrative tasks in an accurate and timely manner, such as expense reports, timecards, and performance self‑evaluations.

Responsibilites and Scope

• May lead or monitor work groups consisting of staff, interns, and volunteers covering a wide geographic area.
• Financial responsibility may include working within a budget to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors, assisting with budget development and fundraising targets.
• Networks with various groups, including landowners, conservation partners, government officials, donors, board members and the general public to recruit support for the Conservancy and publicize Conservancy programs/preserves.
• May work under minimal and/or distant supervision; may supervise staff; may make some independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
• May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
• Lift, push, pull, move 20 pounds on a regular basis.

What You’ll Bring:

• BA/BS degree in science‑related field and 3 years of related experience in ecological land management or similar field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with natural systems, ecological land management principles, and/or water conservation or management.