Chagrin River Watershed Partners (CRWP) is a nationally recognized non-profit watershed organization that enhances quality of life by preserving rivers, planning for better development and solving natural resource management problems. Founded in 1996 by communities and park districts in the Chagrin River watershed, CRWP provides technical assistance to local governments, businesses and individuals and develops cost effective, nature-based solutions to flooding, erosion and water quality problems as communities grow. CRWP currently represents 34-member cities, villages, townships, counties, and park districts and 91% of the land area in a 267-square mile watershed draining to Lake Erie east of Cleveland, Ohio.  Our approach involving community decision makers and collaborative partnerships is key to CRWP’s success. CRWP co-leads the Central Lake Erie Basin Collaborative, a network of watershed organizations and volunteer-based initiatives that work cooperatively to preserve and restore eight major watersheds and smaller direct tributaries to Lake Erie in Northern Ohio. Through the Collaborative, CRWP provides technical support to watershed organizations and communities from the mouth of Sandusky Bay to the western Pennsylvania border.  Since our founding, CRWP has protected and restored over 19 miles of streams and 280 acres of wetlands, planted over 33,000 trees and helped communities protect over 800 miles of wooded stream corridor. CRWP’s 2017 annual report is online at  http://crwp.org/files/CRWP_2017_web.pdf

The Administrative Assistant is a part-time (20 hours/week with opportunity to expand to a maximum of 30 hours) employee who reports to the Administrative Manager and maintains CRWP’s accounting system, supports the Board and Executive Committee, manages member and public communication, administers employee benefits, assists technical staff with grant-writing and administration, develops and implements policies and procedures, maintains grant and project databases, assists with financial planning and budgeting, analyzes and communicates organizational impacts, assists with fundraising and manages information technology. The Administrative Assistant must be a self-starter and think creatively about non-profit planning and administration. 

Chagrin River Watershed Partners, Inc.

• Nationally recognized watershed organization formed by the communities, counties, and park districts in the Chagrin watershed to provide direct one-on-one assistance to member law directors, engineers, planners, and other staff with flood control, erosion control, and other natural resource management issues related to land use change.
• Representing 34 cities, villages, townships, counties, and park districts and 91% of the land area in a 265 square mile watershed draining to Lake Erie east of Cleveland, Ohio.
• Programs focus on direct member assistance with flooding, erosion, and water quality issues and include assistance with zoning code updates, development plan review, compliance with NPDES Phase II storm water rules, and grant applications. Programs also include policy research on watershed issues to support local decision-making and implementation of best land use practices and parks and trail improvements.
• Successes include increasing local understanding of flood and erosion control issues; protection and restoration of streams, wetlands, floodplains and forests; use of green stormwater infrastructure; the adoption of local zoning to limit development near streams and wetlands; and significant increase in funding for member stormwater management projects and watershed-wide studies of stream and wetland functions.
• CRWP developed and is implementing the Chagrin River Watershed Action Plan and Chagrin River Watershed Balanced Growth Plan.
• Six (6) full time and two (2) part time staff.

Responsibilities of the Administrative Assistant

Assist the Administrative Manager with:

• Paying bills, entering payments into Quick Books, and maintaining billing records.
• Maintaining accounting system including tracking program income and expenses and preparing reports for accountant use in Financial Statement and Form 990.
• Preparing and submitting payroll, including payroll taxes and worker’s compensation.
• Preparing and submitting indirect cost proposal.
• Inventory and purchase office supplies.
• Producing and mailing documents.
• Conducting safety inspections and coordinating basic facility maintenance.
• Administering employee benefit programs including health insurance, SIMPLE IRA and paid leave.
• Communicating with board, members and the public including preparing and sending meeting and training announcements, quarterly updates, researching and responding to public inquiries.
• Organizing and providing support for meetings, professional trainings and public events.
• Answering phones.
• Generating time and expense reports for grant projects and other projects.
• Developing and managing website, social media, annual report and other publications.
• Procuring and maintaining office equipment including computers, printers and projector.
• Providing basic information technology support including software updates, backup and managing data.

Skills and Qualifications of the Administrative Assistant

• Must be self-motivated, energetic, and demonstrate strong organizational and leadership skills.
• Excellent problem solving, presentation, and writing skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, members and project partners.
• Ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Ability to attend evening or weekend meetings on an occasional basis.
• Two to four (2-4) years of experience in administrative management, accounting or related field.
• Proficiency in QuickBooks and Microsoft Office, including Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Experience with non-profit board and financial management.
• Bachelor’s degree in business or nonprofit administration, accounting or similar field strongly preferred.
• Communications and/or fundraising experience preferred.
• Must be able to use personal vehicle for occasional work-related travel. Mileage will be reimbursed at the federal rate.

Salary & Benefits

• Salary range from $15 - $22 per hour commensurate with experience and education.
• SIMPLE IRA retirement plan for employees earning $5,000 or more annually.
• After 1 year of service, paid vacation and sick leave is available for part time employees that work 24 hours or more per week and pro-rated based on percentage of full-time equivalent status.
• Medical coverage, including dental and vision.
• Fast paced, energetic work environment.
• Equal opportunity employer