Water Policy and Project Manager / Senior Manager

Description

Trout Unlimited (TU) seeks a dynamic and highly motivated individual with a passion for conservation and a background in water resources to join our New Mexico team. The Water Policy and Project Manager / Senior Manager will work closely with TU staff, state and federal agencies, private landowners, elected officials, and other external partners to advance state and local water priorities that benefit native species, improve water quality and stream flows, and create more resilient watersheds across New Mexico, with an emphasis on multi-benefit projects and nature-based solutions.

The ideal candidate will have a background in water resources, familiarity with New Mexico’s water challenges and legal framework, and experience managing complex projects with diverse partners. This position is designed to be flexible, allowing the candidate to identify the most promising opportunities to advance TU’s conservation mission by engaging in water policy efforts and advancing innovative projects. Priority watersheds include the Upper Rio Grande, Rio Chama, Gila River, and Canadian River Basins, as well as statewide initiatives.

Competitive candidates for this position must demonstrate knowledge of New Mexico water laws and regulations, possess strong project management skills, and excel at working with diverse stakeholders, from rural landowners to elected officials. The candidate will work closely with TU’s restoration and policy staff, acequia communities, water managers, and land management agencies. She/he will seek opportunities to advance nature-based solutions necessary to build more resilient river ecosystems and communities, while establishing TU as a leader in implementing solutions to New Mexico’s water management challenges. 

This position is highly visible to TU members and a multitude of stakeholders and offers an opportunity to be creative and work on innovative ideas. Specific duties and responsibilities are described below and will be based on organizational needs and the candidate’s interests and experience.

The candidate will be based out of a home office in northern New Mexico, with travel expected throughout the region. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

Water Policy

• Advance statewide efforts to protect clean water and create more resilient rivers and watersheds. 
• Support ongoing, collaborative efforts to establish state-level protections for New Mexico’s streams and wetlands and contribute to national clean water programs and campaigns.
• Engage in water management and planning efforts to advance concepts that benefit river ecosystems and coldwater fisheries. 
• Engage with partners to pursue statewide policy reforms and funding to facilitate instream transactions in priority waters.
• Collaborate with TU colleagues on federal legislation and policies impacting New Mexico’s water resources, including engagement with Congressional offices where appropriate. 
• Represent TU at public meetings and hearings. 

Water Infrastructure Projects

• Identify opportunities for multi-benefit projects that improve irrigation infrastructure while benefitting species and ecosystems, including projects that improve fish passage in trout streams.
• Identify and/or implement pilot projects to prove innovative concepts and demonstrate success.
• Write grants and manage proposals, with an emphasis on state and federal grant programs.
• Manage grant agreements and project budgets, including monitoring and grant reporting.
• Contract with consultants and contractors to design and construct water resource projects that incorporate ecological design principles.

Water Management and Instream Flows

• Implement drought management strategies in key watersheds to address surface water availability and stream flows.
• Work with landowners, acequias, and community ditches to improve agricultural operations while increasing streamflows spatially and/or seasonally through voluntary programs. 
• Work with external partners to identify steps for quantifying and improving flows in key trout streams, including assessments of flow needs.
• Identify and pursue water leases and other transactions in key watersheds with an emphasis on bolstering refugia for trout and native species.
• Work independently and with TU staff to raise funds as necessary to design and implement water conservation projects.
• Engage with TU colleagues across western states to identify proven strategies and solutions that can be applied to New Mexico’s water challenges.
• Engage in meaningful storytelling to increase awareness of TU’s work and build a more equitable TU community.

This is not an all-inclusive list of duties and respon