Employment Opportunity

Operations Manager

 Starting Salary:         Depending on experience, education, and qualifications

 Employment Type:    Full-time (3/4 Time would be considered), benefits apply

 Start Date:                March 31, 2008

 Application Closing Date: March 26, 2008 (5 p.m.)

 The Walla Walla Basin Watershed Council (WWBWC) is looking for a talented person to join the WWBWC team. This person must be a career-motivated professional seeking to help an award winning nonprofit maintain its national reputation and high standards of excellence. Strong interpersonal communication skills are needed to work effectively with our numerous partners and as part of a highly motivated and successful staff team. The optimal candidate would have experience leading fiscal and logistical operations for a small company or nonprofit with grant writing and project management skills preferred. Leading applicants will demonstrate a proven history in problem solving and show true capacity for organizational skills and self-direction in complicated fiscal and managerial processes.

 The WWBWC offers a strong compensation package, depending on an applicant’s experience, that includes flexible work hours, excellent medical, vision, dental benefits and an employer contribution retirement program.  The Operations manager will lead the WWBWC team in the areas of accounting for all project and organizational finances, lead office operations and logistics, assist with planning and implementation of watershed restoration activities, assist in the continued development of its outreach program including the maintenance of our website.  Applicants must show proven success in Core Tasks, with abilities in Additional tasks preferred (see below):

 Working Environment/Abilities: Work will be performed in a variety of conditions: primarily office setting, but on occasion, rugged terrain, and difficult weather conditions (rain, mud, snow and dust). Requires sitting and standing for extended periods.  Must provide own transportation. Ability to establish effective working relationships. Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing with the community, funding organizations, and state and federal agencies

 CORE TASKS:

• Managing day to day processing of accounts receivable and payable using QuickBooks, accounting for all WWBWC funds, and producing reports as requested.

• Reconciling monthly activity, generating year-end reports, and fulfilling tax related requirements.

• Manage existing projects including contracts, reports, purchasing, site inspection, photo documentation, and assist with landowner/agency outreach

• Manage council operations including purchasing and contracting as needed for office and project supplies and services

• Assisting Executive Director and Board in creating annual organizational budget and monitoring cash flow

• Maintaining archival and administrative files

• Administering payroll and employee benefits and organizational insurance

• Ensure that accounting requests are resolved and communicated in a timely manner to internal and external parties.

• Assist with mail, faxing, filing, and other administration logistics

• Work as part of a team by assisting with Watershed Council duties as needed.

ADDITIONAL TASKS: 

• Develop and oversee project work plans, contracts, subcontracts, bid processes, permitting, budgets, timelines, and deliverables for watershed restoration projects, scientific studies, and other efforts.

• Assist/Lead with funding and project development. Grant writing skills and/or fund raising experience a definite plus.

• Contribute to short and long-term organizational planning and strategy as a member of the management team

• Lead WWBWC board meetings documentation

• Direct project reporting and when needed, project follow up such as photo monitoring and interim and final reports

• Lead/assist with the operations of the WWBWC’s IT and communication systems.

• Manage photo database

• Coordinate watershed outreach activities

 QUALIFICATIONS:

• Degree preferred in accounting and/or business management. Extensive experience in a similar position may be sufficient.

• At least 3 years experience in Financial Management (budget development and oversight, bookkeeping, purchasing, personnel, and administrative services), or project planning and management

• Experience with accounting software, preferably QuickBooks

• Excellent computer skills and proficient in excel, word, outlook, (and preferably access).

• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written

• Ability to read and interpret contracts, spreadsheets, budget reports, maps, regulations & guidelines, legal descriptions, governmental documents.

• Grant writing and editing skills helpful.

• Knowledge of government contract management

• Knowledge of tax and other compliance implications of non-profit status

• Demonstrated leadership and vision in managing projects

• Ability to manage multiple projects and assignments simultaneously

• A demonstrated commitment to high professional ethical standards

• Self-motivated and ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

• Interest in natural resource issues and the WWBWC mission

• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with co-workers, landowners, agency representatives, and other project cooperators.

• Proof of citizenship or permission to work in the United States and valid driver’s license.

Benefits: Excellent Health benefits (including Vision and Dental), paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, and comp-time, flexible-schedule

To Apply: Mail cover letter that summarizes professional accomplishments applicable to this position, resume and contact information (Name, address, phone number and email) for three references to WWBWC, 810 S. Main St., Milton-Freewater, OR 97862, Attention: Operations Manager Position or email to operations_manager@wwbwc.org

THE WALLA WALLA BASIN WATERSHED COUNCIL IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: Selection for this position will be made solely on the basis of merit, fitness, and qualifications.  All applicants will receive consideration without regard to political, religious, or labor organization affiliation or non-affiliation, marital status, race, color, sex, national origin, non-disqualifying physical handicap, sexual orientation, age, or other non-merit factors.