North Coast Watershed Councils Restoration Assistance Grant Writer

Five Oregon north coast watershed councils seek assistance in developing competitive grant proposals for submission to the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) and other funding partners for July through December 2023, with the possibility for renewal for 2024 and following years based on performance and fund availability. The councils are: North Coast

Watershed Council; Necanicum Watershed Council; Lower Nehalem Watershed Council; Upper Nehalem Watershed Council; and Nestucca, Neskowin, & Sand Lake Watersheds Council. Examples of project types to be funded by successful grant applications include technical assistance proposals for engineering designs, stakeholder engagement, road decommissioning, large wood placement, culvert replacement, beaver restoration, tidal/estuary restoration, tide gate removal/replacement, and riparian planting projects. Target funding opportunities include those from OWEB, ODFW, NOAA, NFWF, NFHP, other federal and state agencies, and private foundations.

The position is expected to work remotely; however, occasional travel for field and site visits related to project scoping, review teams site visits, and for meetings with council members/staff should be anticipated.

We are looking for a person with the following qualifications:

1) Aquatic habitat restoration experience on Oregon streams.

2) Recent experience with proposal development for local, state, federal and private foundation grant opportunities that support ecological restoration practices.

3) Experience with budgeting for complex projects involving engineering design, contracted construction services, and/or contracted consulting services.

4) Recent direct experience with watershed restoration project permitting (local, state, federal).

5) Ability to produce up to four full grant applications over a period of approximately 6 months, or the equivalent.

6) Comfortable in working with numerous projects simultaneously, using file-sharing platforms (for project development), MS Office, and Adobe software.

7) Preferred but not required: DEI training and familiarity with socioeconomic datasets and resources to improve the reach grant proposals, GIS experience.

This collaborative group is aware of the specialized skill set asked for within the qualifications and we encourage applications from applicants that may have some, but not all, of the above-desired qualities and experience. It should also be noted that this position does not support a full-time salary and the hired contractor will need to carry other clients in order to fill his/her/their schedule full-time. We hope to be recruiting for a marketing and outreach consultant in the near future pending success with funding – grant writing specialists who have this other skill set may be able to add to this to their FTE.

We are dedicated to providing an equal opportunity to those who belong to marginalized groups within our society (BIPOC, LGBTQ+, etc.), thus we highly encourage submissions from individuals who identify with, or are members, of one or more traditionally disenfranchised communities.

In addition, we acknowledge that the land, water, and fruits of the region in which we work are not just ours. They remain the hereditary birthright of the region’s indigenous nations since time immemorial. We strive to provide a platform for the region’s indigenous nations to have their voices heard in the conservation conversation.

Please submit the following, in the order listed, in one PDF:

1) A detailed resume (2-3 pages maximum) documenting the qualifications listed above.

2) A list detailing names and contact information for at least 3 references and/or your restoration professional network (1 page).

3) A Scope of Work and Timeline for the completion of four grant applications in the six-month period (1 page).

4) One or more examples of successfully awarded grant applications for restoration and/or fish and wildlife-related projects.

The grant writer will be selected from submissions to this position posting. The submissions will be evaluated by the Coordinators/Executive Directors of the councils. Reviewers will rate and rank responses generally according to a review of experience and qualifications.

The Nestucca, Neskowin, & Sand Lake Watersheds Council’s Executive Director is the project manager and will contract with the selected applicant. The grant writer will work with respective watershed council staff to develop projects which will attain desired restoration results and then prepare the appropriate application materials to secure grant funds to implement the projects. Watershed council Coordinators/Directors will cooperatively determine the order in which project proposals will be developed. The Nestucca-Neskowin Watershed Council will manage the payment process for work performed following monthly progress reporting by the grant writer and council coordinators/directors. The contract/agreement engaging the grant writer can be renewed for continuation through 2024 based on good performance and funds availability. Please submit your application by 5:00 P.M. June 31st to the party indicated below. Responses will be accepted via mail or email.

Dave Shively, Executive Director

Nestucca, Neskowin & Sand Lake Watersheds Council

PO Box 86

Pacific City, OR 97135

(503) 965-2200

[email protected]

www.nestuccawaters.org