Water Resources Project Manager

The Opportunity The Klamath Water Users Association (KWUA) is seeking a highly motivated, resourceful individual to join our team as a Water Resources Project Manager. This is an opportunity to do meaningful, hands‑on work at the center of some of the most important and high‑profile water and natural resource issues in the American West – while supporting irrigated agriculture, water management, and the communities of the Klamath Basin. We are looking for someone who wants to dig in, take ownership of projects, solve problems, and make things happen. The Project Manager will work directly with KWUA’s Executive Director and with the farmers, ranchers, irrigation district managers and directors, government agencies, consultants, contractors, and other partners who are shaping the future of the Klamath Project. The position offers substantial responsibility and the opportunity to move important projects from ideas to reality. The work is varied and engaging. Projects may involve water management, irrigation infrastructure, energy, natural resources, grants, regulatory and policy matters, and other issues important to Klamath Basin agriculture and the West. KWUA is also deeply engaged in advocacy on behalf of the Klamath Project, including with decision‑makers and partners in Washington, D.C., Salem, and Sacramento. You do not need to arrive as an expert in Klamath Basin water issues, irrigation operations, grant administration, or Western water policy. We are looking for someone with the ability and desire to learn. Experience managing projects, working with diverse partners, communicating effectively, and navigating complex issues is valuable, but just as important to us are initiative, sound judgment, follow‑through, curiosity, and a strong desire to contribute. For the right person, this position offers unusual opportunities for professional growth, responsibility, and exposure to experienced leaders in Western water and agriculture. If you are an organized, dependable problem‑solver who wants meaningful responsibility, enjoys working with people, and is motivated by water, agriculture, and natural resource issues with lasting impacts, we encourage you to apply – even if your background does not match every preferred qualification below. What You’ll Do The Project Manager will help move KWUA projects and Association priorities from planning through implementation. Responsibilities will include: Manage and coordinate water resource, infrastructure, energy, and natural resource projects. Develop and track project schedules, budgets, scopes of work, milestones, and deliverables. Coordinate directly with irrigation districts, agricultural producers, agencies, consultants, contractors, and other project partners. Support grant‑funded projects, including applications, administration, reporting, invoicing, and compliance. Track regulatory, policy, technical, and operational issues affecting KWUA members. Prepare project updates, reports, presentations, policy and technical briefing materials, and other communications. Organize and participate in meetings, workshops, public meetings, and stakeholderdiscussions. Assist the Executive Director with special projects, policy and advocacy efforts, and implementation of Association priorities. Represent KWUA at meetings, technical forums, and stakeholder discussions as appropriate, with opportunities to travel in support of Association projects and advocacy priorities. What We’re Looking For A degree in engineering, natural resources, agriculture, public administration, business, or a related field; or a combination of education and relevant professional experience. We value demonstrated ability, initiative, judgment, and a willingness to learn. Experience in project management, program coordination, natural resources, agriculture, infrastructure, government, or a related field is helpful. Strong organizational and time‑management skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to manage multiple priorities and work both independently and collaboratively. Strong problem‑solving skills, sound judgment, initiative and willingness to learn. Experience in any of the following areas would be helpful, but we do not expect applicants to have experience in all -or even most- of them: Western water issues or the Klamath Basin Agriculture or agricultural organizations Infrastructure projects Grant or contract administration Natural resources or environmental programs Federal, state, tribal, or local government Regulatory or permitting processes Energy projects Stakeholder or public engagement Why Klamath? The Klamath Basin is nationally known for the complexity and significance of its water issues. That complexity also makes it one of the most interesting places in the West to build a career in water and natural resources. Agriculture, wildlife, tribal interests, federal and state policy, infrastructure, energy and rural communities all intersect here – and collaborative innovative solutions can have significance far beyond the Basin. The person who joins KWUA will be part of that work, not watching it from a distance. You will work directly with the farmers, ranchers, irrigation district managers and directors whose livelihoods depend on the Klamath Project, as well as agencies, technical professionals, policymakers and other partners. KWUA’s members are practical, knowledgeable people who cared deeply about agriculture, water, and the future of their communities- and they are a rewarding group of people to represent. This is a position where an early‑or mid‑career professional can gain experience, relationships and responsibility that may take much longer to develop in a larger organization. KWUA is engaged with decision‑makers and partners at the local, state, and federal levels, and the person in this role will have opportunities to contribute to projects and policy discussions with real consequences for the Klamath Project and the West. A Career – and a Life – in the Klamath Basin Klamath Falls offers something increasingly difficult to find: meaningful professional work in an affordable, close‑knit community surrounded by extraordinary outdoor opportunities. Known as Oregon’s “City of Sunshine,” the community offers ready access to fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, skiing, mountain lakes, forests, and the broader southern Oregon outdoors. For someone who wants challenging, consequential work without the cost, traffic, and pace of a major metropolitan area, the Klamath Basin offers an exceptional quality of life and a place to become part of a community. Compensation & Benefits KWUA offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including: Starting salary range of $65,000+ annually, depending on experience and qualifications. Employer‑paid health insurance for the employee. 401(k) retirement plan. Paid vacation and holidays. Professional development opportunities and opportunities to build relationships with experienced leaders in Western water and agriculture. To learn more about KWUA, our members, current projects, recent accomplishments, and the issues shaping the future of the Klamath Project, visit our website and explore our recent publications and news. #J-18808-Ljbffr