About Trout Unlimited

Trout Unlimited (TU) brings together diverse interests to care for and recover the rivers and streams on which we all depend. We are a national organization with 300,000 members and supporters organized into over 400 chapters and councils nationwide. Our dedicated grassroots volunteers are matched by a respected staff of organizers, lawyers, policy experts, and scientists, who work out of more than 45 offices across the country.

Position Summary

This position is a new and exciting opportunity to apply your passion and energy for connecting communities to nature. This position will coordinate the Lake Sammamish Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership (UWRP) program in the Lake Sammamish watershed of Washington State. The UWRP is connected to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) refuge system with partners guiding the custom program through a Steering Committee with agency and organizational support. The overall goal of the Lake Sammamish UWRP is to connect diverse local communities with nature and to inspire people to care for the watershed. This position will expand and diversify existing UWRP partner outreach and education efforts by leveraging collective resources and assets to increase community reach and depth of engagement, particularly with underserved communities and communities of color.

The Lake Sammamish UWRP Coordinator position will be based out of the Issaquah TU office at Lake Sammamish State Park and will be required to travel throughout the Lake Sammamish watershed and to occasional staff meetings and conferences outside the basin (all aspects subject to COVID safety precautions).

TU has secured two years of funding for this position. The successful applicant will work with TU staff and stakeholders to secure additional funding for project activities and to cover core operational costs to sustain the program in future years.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Management and Partner Coordination:

• Leads Lake Sammamish UWRP program planning by coordinating the UWRP’s Steering Committee and other key partners toward common objectives of connecting diverse communities to nature and inspiring people to care for the watershed. Leads Steering Committee meetings and selected priorities.

• Develops and maintains relationships and serves as the Lake Sammamish UWRP liaison with key natural resource agencies, local governments and organizations, diverse communities, tribal governments, and other interested stakeholders to maintain communication networks and to support the program’s mission.

• Attends KWG meetings to provide program updates, learn about project/funding opportunities, and network with local and regional partners. Participates in local TU Chapter meetings and WA TU Council meetings. May occasionally require out-of-state travel for additional meetings for TU or the USFWS.

Networking and program co-creation

• Builds cooperation and effective relationships with community-based organizations representing race and ethnicities in the Lake Sammamish area, businesses, conservation groups, recreation groups, commercial groups, civic groups, high-ranking state and local officials, federal officials, fish and game associations, and media outlets to advance the Lake Sammamish UWRP’s goals.

• Co-creates UWRP programming with communities underrepresented in environmental education and conservation, including people of color and underserved communities.

• Works closely with TU staff, TU volunteers, and UWRP partners to increase community awareness of the watershed and support salmon recovery and restoration. Works as a team player and serves as the outreach hub for a large and diverse group of Lake Sammamish UWRP partners and stakeholders.

Communications and Outreach:

• Promotes the UWRP and its partners by producing marketing materials, briefing papers, web and social media content, and other informational products. Develops and delivers presentations. Strong and consistent engagement with partners and the community through a variety of social media platforms.

• Leverages partner outreach and education resources to broaden the reach of the UWRP to diverse communities. Develops additional resources/materials/offerings if gaps exist.

• Coordinates (and delivers, as needed) educational lessons and presentations to school groups, provide outreach for regional events, and tours for community groups to sites in the watershed.

Administrative and Fundraising:

• Provides contracting, partner agreements, grant reporting, invoicing, and budget management services. Delivers timely, accurate reporting, grant-writing, and grants and agreements management. Oversees partnership agreements in collaboration with the Lake Sammamish UWRP Steering Committee.

• Works with local/regional partners and TU staff to fundraise for both program and project support, including identifying potential funding sources, drafting grant proposals, and developing relationships with funders.

• Ensures the partnership is fully supporting the USFWS standards for excellence for urban wildlife refuges.

A successful candidate is passionate about the environment, thrives by working with diverse partner groups, and demonstrates considerable experience with outreach and education efforts. Candidates should possess strong written and verbal communication skills, are adept at organizing teams to achieve common objectives, and can manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience include:

· A bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience.

· At least three years of experience in outreach, education, volunteer/public engagement, or similar work.

· Commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Demonstrated experience working with diverse, low income, and/or youth communities.

· Fundraising and project management skills/expertise.

· Creative, strategic, and collaborative “problem-solver.” Ability to listen to and reconcile diverse viewpoints.

· Ability and willingness to travel throughout the Lake Sammamish watershed. Valid driver’s license and personal vehicle, or access to transportation.

· Demonstrated success managing multiple projects simultaneously and meeting deadlines with minimal supervision.

· Excellent coordination and organizational skills; effective electronic file management required.

· Team player with exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

· Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (MS Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) required.

· Social media skills (platforms using a mix of media and engaging content).

· Outstanding interpersonal skills, good sense of humor.