Water and Rural Lands Program Director

Application Deadline: 5/10/2026

Priority will be given to candidates that apply by this deadline, but the role will continue accepting applications until a suitable candidate is hired

Position Summary:

OEC’s Water and Rural Lands Program Director is responsible for identifying and advancing policies and programs that ensure Oregon has an integrated water management system that incorporates water quality, quantity and accessibility equally. OEC works to protect ground and surface water from pollution, promote sustainable water management, and protect safe drinking water. We work to ensure that rural land management protects water resources while ensuring community resilience and sustainability in the face of climate change.

Ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate is a strategic and relational leader with deep expertise in Oregon’s policies and programs related to water quality, water quantity, and working lands. You are a seasoned advocate and bridge-builder capable of working with Tribal nations, municipalities, agricultural producers, industry and others to achieve equitable, science-based outcomes. A masterful communicator, you navigate complex regulatory landscapes to ensure resilient water systems, coordinated water management and long-term sustainability for Oregon’s rural communities and ecosystems.

Specific areas of focus include:

• The goals of OEC’s water and rural lands program are to protect ground and surface water from pollution, while promoting sustainable water use and management, protecting safe drinking water and responsible management of rural lands.
• Promoting integrated, coordinated sustainable water management strategies that protect and preserve water quality and water quantity;
• Protecting groundwater, surface water and other natural resources from the negative impacts of climate change on economies, human health, and environment;
• Ensuring that OEC’s state-level policy goals encompass the social, economic, and environmental interests of both urban and rural communities; and
• Leveraging OEC’s relationships with state agencies, statewide NGOs; and the state legislature to ensure that policies and programs are flexible enough to allow for regional problem solving that advances statewide environmental goals.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Policy/Project Development and Implementation; Advocacy (~35%)

• Develops state-level policy proposals to advance program goals; crafts and implements plans to achieve those policies and defend past progress
• Ensures that policies and projects are evaluated for equity implications
• Investigates and analyzes issues germane to program; reviews relevant professional materials and communications on a continuing basis
• Prepares and presents public comments and testimony; lobbies Oregon Legislature and other elected in coordination with the legislative director and program staff
• Monitors and weighs in on administrative and regulatory processes that relate to program goals; sits on statewide advisory councils, including agency rule-making committees
• Determines and communicates the organization’s position on external policy and other proposals that relate to our goals
• Formulates place-specific projects to advance program goals and raise awareness; develops and carries out project implementation plans.
• This role works in coordination with OEC’s communications and development staff as needed.

Building and Maintaining Relationships, Partnerships, and Strategic Alliances (~35%)

• Cultivates and maintains collaborative relationships with key interest groups and individuals, including: Tribal nations, municipalities, agricultural producers, policymakers, agency staff, NGOs, local communities and industry
• Fosters alliances; develops and manages diverse and influential stakeholder coalitions in support of program goals
• Engages authentically with culturally specific and community-of-color led organizations, organizations representing rural interests, and other organizations that bring a social and environmental justice perspective
• Maintains relationships with regional (i.e., West Coast) and national organizations, incorporates learnings from other states into policy and programmatic work

Outreach and Education (~20%)

• Builds broad public support for program goals and project objectives.
• Produces reports, fact sheets, opinion pieces, and other communication tools to support program objectives, with support from our marketing/communications team
• Interacts with reporters, with support from our communications director
• Educates and engages OEC members and supporters through website communications, electronic and written communications, and public speaking to diverse audiences
• Occasionally develops and implements public education and “things you can do” campaigns

Fundraising (~10%)

• In collaboration with our development team,contributes to/reviews program-related grant proposals and writes progress reports
• Participates in brainstorming and grant deliverable tracking meetings
• Occasionally participates in fundraising meetings and events with donors and foundations

Qualifications:

Required Knowledge, Experience and Certifications

• Minimum five years of professional experience in water and natural resources-related public policy development and advocacy, public affairs, or related field
• Valid driver’s license with a clean motor vehicle and background check
• Demonstrated expertise and working knowledge in policy issues related to water quality, water management, water conservation as well as the protections and the management of natural and working lands
• Proven ability to bring stakeholders together and work strategically to secure policy changes and other program objectives

Required Skills, Abilities and Qualities:

• Proven ability to bring stakeholders together and work strategically to secure policy changes and other program objectives
• A strategic mindset with the ability to conduct long-term visioning and planning
• Strong organizational and time management skills; ability to work under pressure; ability to manage multiple projects while keeping a “big picture” strategic view
• Keen problem-solving skills; ethic of continuous improvement
• Self-motivation and initiative; ability to work independently; entrepreneurial approach
• Performance-oriented mindset with a strong work ethic and commitment to achieving goals
• Detail-oriented with high standards for accuracy
• Excellent interpersonal skills; an eagerness to work collaboratively in a dynamic team environment; positive, flexible attitude
• Excellent communications (verbal and written)
• An understanding of the concepts of institutional and structural racism and bias; a commitment to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion within the organization and as part of the position
• A passion for OEC’s mission
• Energized to support Oregon Environmental Council’s Values and Beliefs and workplace culture as described in our Team Charter

Desirable Qualifications

• Existing relationships with rural and agricultural leaders in Oregon, state agencies responsible for water quality and quantity, conservation groups and other advocacy organizations
• Experience working in a non-profit setting with a mission-driven staff and board
• Bachelor’s degree; or relevant advanced degree preferred
• Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Other Details:

Travel: This position requires more frequent statewide travel. OEC encourages travel by sustainable modes, e.g., walking, bicycling, taking transit, carpooling, but some trips, including to rural areas, may require driving. This position therefore requires a valid driver’s license. OEC has an organizational vehicle for use.

Work Schedule: OEC’s standard hours are Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm. Positions set at .8 FTE are expected to involve only 4 rather than 5 days of work per week on a regular basis. This role requires the ability to be flexible about one’s schedule and work hours, including frequent evening and weekend hours and daily travel during legislative sessions. This role may require excess hours in order to achieve deliverables, especially during legislative session.

Physical: This job operates in a professional open-floor office environment with a moderate level of noise associated with personal conversations and office machinery. The employee must be able to see, hear and talk and have the physical ability to move around, lift light objects, and use standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers and filing cabinets.

Job Posting Summary

Title: Water and Rural Lands Program Director

Status: Regular

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Hours: .8 full-time equivalent (approx 32 hrs/wk)

Reports to: Deputy Director for Programs

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Location: Portland, OR, or elsewhere in OR, with frequent travel statewide

Work Type: Hybrid:at least Tuesdays & Thursdays in our Portland office if residing in Oregon within commuting distance; in office expectations TBD if residing elsewhere)

Opening Date: 2026-04-10

Closing Date: Until filled

Application Deadline: 5/10/2026

Priority will be given to candidates that apply by this deadline, but the role will continue accepting applications until a suitable candidate is hired

Salary Range: Full range: $60,000 – 81,000 yearly for .8 FTE

Most starting salaries are in the first half of the full range for a position

ADA Accommodations:

If you identify as a person with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation when applying for this job, please email info@oeconline.org or call 503-222-1963 x100 for assistance.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Oregon Environmental Council provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender assignment, gender identity or expression, national origin, (dis)ability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Salary and Employment Benefits:

The starting salary range for this position is $60,000 – 81,000 yearly per year for .8 FTE. Starting salary offers are made based on an assessment of the candidate’s skills, experience, and abilities in relation to the job description, and also in relation to peer roles in the organization.

OEC endeavors to increase all staff wages annually to account for cost of living as well as to recognize and honor experience gained over time. We review and adjust the organizational pay scale every 2-3 years. Employees can expect to move up in the range for their position’s pay grade as they gain more experience in their roles.

OEC offers a collaborative, team-oriented, flexible, family-friendly workplace. Excellent benefits include:

• Generous paid leave, including
• 4 weeks of vacation (3 in first year)
• Fridays off in August
• winter holiday week between 12/25 and 1/1 each year
• 9 additional fixed holidays for 1.0 FTE (if fall on scheduled work days)
• 4 personal days for 1.0 FTE (prorated to 3.2 days for .8 FTE)
• 12 sick days annually for 1.0 FTE (prorated to 9.6 for .8 FTE)
• 401k contribution (up to 6% after the first year)
• Employer-paid medical and dental coverage for employee, with significant employer support for dependents’ coverage
• At OEC, you will learn a lot, laugh a lot, and feel great about helping Oregon communities become better, healthier places to live.

Desired: Bilingual (English/Spanish)