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Water Rights Research Specialist: Washington Water Trust

Application deadline: CLOSED

Background

Washington Water Trust works throughout Washington to restore rivers and streams through voluntary projects with water rights owners.  Through a decade of work, we have established a record of developing projects that balance our restoration mission with the diverse water needs in the communities we serve.  Our Ellensburg field office coordinates work throughout central and eastern Washington.  This effort includes development of trust water projects, providing regional expertise on water rights questions, and working with local partners to meet water and fisheries management goals.  Our staff brings several decades of experience in water resource management, agricultural planning, water rights work and restoration.  Current projects in central and eastern Washington include management and development of multiple trust water projects benefitting salmon-bearing streams, contracted GIS and water rights support of salmon recovery efforts, and ongoing outreach with local governments and agricultural communities.  We are currently seeking a qualified individual to support our work on a contract basis as we complete several active projects in the region.

Position Summary

The qualified applicants who become contractors may perform and be responsible for the following services and duties:

(a)      Complete the contract obligations through January 2010, subject to renewal at the discretion of Washington Water trust;

(b)      Provide a consistent weekly work schedule that reasonably coordinates with the schedule of Washington Water Trust (WWT) Project Managers and the Executive Director;

(c)      Complete biweekly progress reports and work plans documenting work tasks and progress;

(d)      Provide research support for tributary-scale water rights reports in service to the contracted between WWT and clients as needed;

(e)      Conduct research on parcels, aerial photos and other data used by WWT to prioritize project development opportunities and complete tributary-scale reports;

(f)       Provide technical support for modeling the water rights data using ARCGIS software and associated mapping and digitization products developed by WWT staff;

(g)      Coordinate closely with WWT staff and partners to ensure efficient implementation of project goals.

(h)     The anticipated required work schedule shall be of 10 hours a week and no more than 20 hours a week.

(i)       Ability to provide own computer a plus.

Qualifications Review Criteria

Criteria

a)                  Application materials must be received at the closing location by the specified closing date and time.

b)                  Application materials must demonstrate direct experience with and understanding of Washington Water Law, including both the legal origin of water rights and the ability to negotiate Washington State's system for water rights documentation and review administered by the Department of Ecology.

c)                  Applicant must have a high competence in working with ARCGIS, including the ability to create, edit and manage shape files, manage detailed databases and datasets, gather GIS data from existing datasets, and working knowledge of GIS analysis using vector data sets.

d)                 The applicant must have the capacity to understand and interpret legal property descriptions, county assessors documents, aerial photography and water rights documents and reports created by the Department of Ecology.

e)                  Though some training and orientation will be provided on the information models and project deliverables associated with WWT projects, the applicant must be able to complete project work independently and with minimal supervision on assigned tasks to meet timelines established by the work plan.

f)                   The applicant must demonstrate experience and capacity in working with and communicating within a project team to ensure that completed tasks are well coordinated with other project activities.

Application Requirements

All qualifications are to be submitted, in writing, at the mailing or email address on the front cover as soon as possible.  Responses may be sent by mail, facsimile or e-mail. Washington Water Trust will review the qualifications and contact selected candidates for an interview.  Work will begin upon successful completion of interview and contract.

Please submit the following materials:

  • A cover letter indicating full contact information, contract position title and a description of contents included in your package
  • A resume documenting relevant professional and educational background
  • At least two references
  • If desired or available, no more than two examples of project work directly related to the contract requirements.

Submit application to:

Washington Water Trust

1530 Westlake Ave, Suite 400

Seattle, WA  98109

Phone:  (206) 675-1585

Fax:  (206) 749-9274

Email: susan@washingtonwatertrust.org
Attention: Susan Adams, Executive Director

Closing date:

Contract position is open until filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Work will begin immediately upon contractor selection.

Contact for more information:

Greg McLaughlin, Project Manager

Phone (509) 925-5600

Fax (509) 925-5603

greg@washingtonwatertrust.org