Water Program Manager

Date Posted: 10/21/2024
Department: Programs
Type of Employment: Full-Time

Position Title:  Water Program Manager

Position Information: Full-Time, Salaried

Reports to: Senior Director of Programs

Location: Iowa

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY:

The Water Program Manager will conduct outreach, education, advocacy, and coalition-building to build momentum for actions at the state, local, and corporate levels that will lead to clean, safe, and resilient lakes, rivers, and streams. 

The Water Program Manager works collaboratively with the Senior Director of Programs, the Water and Climate Resiliency Specialist, the Climate Initiatives Director, legal staff, and others to educate, advocate, and drive progress on water quality in Iowa. In particular, the Water Program Manager will work to elevate health, equity, and climate concerns as critical to progress on water in our state.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Technical Expertise

• Assist with development of Water Program priorities and strategy.
• Serve as IEC’s key technical expert on water quality and water management issues, advising on policy positions in regulatory, legal, and legislative venues.
• Serve as an expert advisor to IEC’s lobby team and communicate directly with policymakers about laws and rules affecting water in Iowa as needed.
• Develop and execute compelling research, writing, and analysis, designed to influence policymakers, the public, and the media.

Outreach and Organizing

• Take charge of and execute a multi-year outreach strategy to activate grasstops and grassroots supporters across the state and to educate state and local policymakers and private sector actors about threats to Iowa’s water resources and solutions for safe water management.
• Develop and maintain trusting relationships with key partners to facilitate close collaboration in driving progress on water quality in Iowa.
• In collaboration with IEC’s Climate Initiatives Program, work directly with communities to advance the use of natural infrastructure to manage water quality and quantity concerns.
• Engage support from diverse and powerful allies and cultivate relationships over time including scientific, academic, business, industry, sustainable agriculture, recreation, and habitat groups. Assist member organizations and the public in understanding complex issues.
• Support our efforts to mobilize citizens by providing compelling and timely information and opportunities for action and briefing staff, board and volunteers.
• Represent IEC at external meetings, conferences, and presentations with public/private/nonprofit sector stakeholders and media.
• Work independently to write and provide editorial support for various communications/outreach materials including internal/external talking points, educational handouts, blogs, social media posts, newsletters, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• Demonstrated water quality policy expertise
• 5+ years of education and/or experience in any of the following: communications, public relations, government relations, community outreach, organizing and/or campaign work.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to effectively manage multiple projects.
• Willingness and ability to travel and meet independently with individuals and organizations and attend meetings statewide.
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal team members, contracted vendors, organization partners, and board members.
• Candidate must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Position requires occasional day time travel across the state.
• Position will require occasional nights/weekends.

Desirable:

• Experience with planning and implementing a targeted, community outreach campaign and/or coalition building around issue advocacy.

BENEFITS:

• Health and Dental Insurance
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Employer Matched Simple IRA
• Flex Savings Account
• Paid Vacation, Sick, and Family Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Parking

Compensation: $63,000-$72,000 per year (commensurate with experience) 

Equal Opportunity Employer: Iowa Environmental Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic community engaged with working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from all qualified applicants.

TO APPLY: E-mail Sarah Green at Green@iaenvironment.org with cover letter and resume. Applications will be accepted until November 15 or until filled.