Workforce Program Manager

Promote Water Power as a Career for Students in Trade Schools and Colleges

Are you a self-starter with a passion for workforce development and sustainability?

The Hydropower Foundation and the National Hydropower Association (NHA) are teaming up to create this new role of Workforce Program Manager. In this role, you will split your time (roughly evenly) between supporting two workforce-related programs.

This joint position reflects a new strategic alignment between the Hydropower Foundation and NHA. In this role, you will help reinvigorate the Foundation’s workforce development efforts to promote hydropower as a premier career path, and NHA’s efforts to help the industry retain and cultivate outstanding professionals.

You will work with the Hydropower Foundation’s Director of Workforce Development to raise awareness of career opportunities in the water power industry among college and trade school students. This role focuses on building relationships with existing water power, climate, and sustainability student clubs and the local water power industry to enhance engagement and promote career pathways. The role also involves leveraging social media to promote awareness of career opportunities in the water power industry, such as engineers, underwater welders, and marine biologists.

You will also support NHA’s “Future Leaders Of Waterpower” (FLOW) program. In this role, you will coordinate event logistics, plan peer networking activities, and manage other operational elements of the program, reporting to NHA’s FLOW program lead.

The U.S. hydropower industry currently provides electricity to an estimated 25M Americans, representing about 30% of total U.S. renewable energy generation. It includes reservoir hydropower, run-of-river hydropower, pumped storage, and marine energy (wave, tidal, current) technologies. The modern hydropower industry is an essential complement to wind and solar by providing around-the-clock reliable, emission-free electricity using existing infrastructure.

What You’ll Do

• • Support the Hydropower Foundation’s Director in building and nurturing student clubs focused on water power, climate, and sustainability, including collaborating with educational institutions to leverage existing programs and initiatives.
  • Engage with industry to deepen relationships with local college and trade schools by offering speakers, tours of local facilities, and internships.
• Coordinate event logistics, plan peer networking activities, and manage other operational elements of NHA’s FLOW program.
  • Leverage social media to promote awareness of career opportunities in the water power industry, as well as activities for young or early entry professionals.

What You Bring

• • Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., education, environmental science, sustainability, or business).
  • 2-5 years of experience in workforce development, education, or a related field.
  • Strong understanding of college and trade school student dynamics and sustainability programs.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences.
  • Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team in a hybrid work environment.

Why Hydropower?

In this joint role with the Hydropower Foundation and NHA, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the water power industry while working in a supportive and collaborative environment. We offer a competitive salary, professional development opportunities, and the chance to be part of a mission-driven organization.