Water Rights Specialist

Position Overview

Trout Unlimited (TU) is North America's leading coldwater fisheries conservation organization, dedicated to the conservation, protection and restoration of trout and salmon fisheries and their watersheds. The organization has more than 140,000 members in 400 chapters across the United States, including 10,000 members in California. TU's vision is that, by the next generation, trout and salmon will be restored throughout their native range so that our children can enjoy healthy fisheries in their home waters. To accomplish this vision, TU works to protect, reconnect, and restore fish populations and their habitat, and to sustain this work by building a diverse movement of businesses, individuals, and communities dedicated to our mission.

TU is seeking a qualified individual with experience in water policy and water rights permitting for its successful California Water Program. The individual will join our Water Program Stewardship Manager and other TU staff working on streamflow restoration in California. A particular focus will be projects with farmers, ranchers, and homeowners to improve instream flow and water system reliability.

Trout Unlimited created its California Water Program in 2002 to improve stream flows and water management in California. Trout, salmon and steelhead require clean, cold water to survive, but decades of mismanagement and neglect have caused all California trout and salmon species to decline. One of the major problems is that too many rivers have too little water. The California Water Program works with state and federal agencies to reform water law and policy and with individual farmers and landowners to restore and enhance instream flow.

Position Description

The Water Rights Specialist will:

• Partner with farmers and other landowners on cooperate projects to improve instream flow and water supply reliability. This includes work on water rights, Fish and Game Code permits, project financing, and project management. We expect this work to be focused on California coastal streams.
• Cultivate positive and productive relationships with all agency and private partners, including private landowners, state and federal agencies, Resource Conservation Districts, and scientific and engineering experts.
• Work at the state level to enchance instream flow, reform water law, and improve management of water supplies.
• Prepare grant applications, reports, and public outreach materials.
• Define future scope, scale, and strategies for California Water Program in concert with the California Director and Water Program staff. Integrate program activities with TU's North Coast Coho Project, Central Coast Steelhead Project, Sportsmen's Conservation Project, and grassroots State Council and Chapters.

Qualifications:

The job requires:

• Experience in California water law and water rights matters, as well as fisheries conservation.
• Superior interpersonal skills and ability to work constructively with a wide range of partners, including farmers and other landowners, industry representatives, scientists, nonprofit organizations, foundations, and public agencies.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, as well as first rate research and analytic skills. Previous experience with media, landowner outreach, grant writing, and/or legal research is helpful.
• Demonstrated organizational, project management, and problem solving abilities. The job requires the ability to prioritize workload and to be highly motivated and self-directed.
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field required; a law degree and experience doing legal work related to water rights would be ideal, but others with significant experience in California water rights matters are encouraged to apply.
• Willingness to travel within California and occasionally to other states. Valid California driver's license and own vehicle required.

Location and Compensation

The position will be located in our California headquarters in Berkeley. The salary will be commensurate with experience, non-profit scale.

How to Apply

Please send a cover letter, resume, references, and a writing sample by email to:

Mary Ann King, Stewardship Manager, at mking@tu.org. Include "Water Rights Specialist" in the subject line.

No phone inquiries, please. Applications will be accepted until at least April 30, and the position will remain open until filled.

TU is an equal opportunity employer. This job description is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties. The responsibilities, tasks, and duties of the employee might differ from those outlined in the job description and that other duties, as assigned, might be part of the job. Relocation assistance is not included.