The South Santiam Watershed Council (SSWC) seeks an enthusiastic Executive Director to provide leadership to the organization in its efforts to restore the health and function of the South Santiam watershed. The position is full time, and currently supervises two full-time staff, including an Ecological Project Coordinator and a Watershed Education and Outreach Coordinator. The Executive Director receives direction from a volunteer Board of Directors, but otherwise works independently to manage key program areas including organizational and financial management, partnership development, project oversight, public relations, field operations, community outreach, and staff mentoring and management.

To view posting on SSWC website, click here. 

Reports to: Under the general direction of the SSWC Board of Directors, and is accountable to the Board. The Board Chair is the primary point of contact.
Status: At-will, 1.0 FTE (approximately 40 hours per week), FLSA-exempt full-time salaried position
Compensation: Salary range of $65,000 - $78,000 DOE commensurate with experience.
Benefits: SSWC offers a benefits stipend 20% of base salary, paid time off, and up to 3% retirement matching in a SIMPLE IRA after 6 months.
Location: This position is based out of the South Santiam Watershed Council office in Lebanon, Oregon. The position requires the successful applicant to be locally-based.
Recruitment Timeline:
         Position Posted: December 17, 2025
         Preferred Application Deadline: January 7, 2025
         Open until position is filled.

About the South Santiam Watershed Council
The South Santiam Watershed Council is a 501(c)(3) that works collaboratively with landowners and managers, businesses, and government agencies to implement in-stream, riparian, and upland restoration, monitoring, education, and outreach activities that improve the health and function of the South Santiam watershed. The SSWC is non-regulatory and mission-driven, with strong community support and partnerships across local, state, and federal agencies, agriculture, timber interests, and nonprofit organizations. SSWC’s mission is to enhance and protect the natural resources of the South Santiam River watershed for the social, environmental, and economic benefit of all those who live, work and visit.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

Organizational Leadership & Management

• Provide overall leadership and direction for SSWC operations and programs
• Implement organizational goals and strategic priorities in collaboration with a diverse Board of
  Directors; seek and build board involvement
• Lead, coach, and develop SSWC team, assisting project manager(s) with program and project budgets
• Oversee all accounting for the organization, including annual organizational budget and management of
  federal, state, and foundation grants
• Manage competing deadlines and address operational backlogs while maintaining forward momentum
  with SSWC team
• Develop, maintain, and improve systems to track progress, outcomes, and organizational effectiveness so as to measure successes that can be effectively communicated to the board, government partners, funders, and other constituents
• Seek and develop new funding opportunities and prepare grant applications
• Ensure compliance with all applicable non-profit, legal, and regulatory requirements

Board Relations & Governance

• Serve as the primary liaison to the Board of Directors
• Support effective board engagement, communication, and governance practices
• Prepare materials and reports for board meetings and ad-hoc committees
• Keep the Board informed of organizational activities, risks, and opportunities

Financial & Grant Oversight

• Oversee organizational accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting and management
• Develop and manage the annual organizational budget
• Manage federal, state, local, and foundation grants, including compliance, reporting, and reimbursement requests
• Utilize QuickBooks and online grant management systems to stay on-track with established organizational budget
• Ensure fiscal accountability and transparency to Board and funding partners.
• Provide regular grant balance and budget updates to SSWC staff

Fund Development & Grant Writing

• Identify and pursue funding opportunities to sustain council operations and programs
• Write and oversee grant proposals and funding applications
• Support development of individual giving, donor stewardship, and fundraising systems in conjunction with the Board of Directors

Program Oversight: Restoration & Education

• Provide leadership and oversight for Ecological Projects Coordinator and Watershed Education and Outreach Coordinator and their respective programs
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and professional work environment
• Assist Ecological Projects Coordinator and Watershed Education and Outreach Coordinator with program planning and budget oversight
• Coordinate with contractors, consultants, and partners as needed
• Ensure projects are implemented on schedule and meet grant deliverables in a timely manner.

Partnership Development & Management

• Actively participate in current partnership efforts and programs, including the Linn County Wildfire Ready group, Mid-Valley River Connections, and the Mid-Willamette Beaver Partnership
• Maintain and bolster partnership relations with federal, state, private industry, and fellow watershed councils as established by prior SSWC team members
• Represent SSWC with funders, agencies, community members, and stakeholders
• Actively pursue new partnerships, programs, and projects

Outreach & Communications

• Work with SSWC team and Board of Directors to maintain an active presence in the local community
• Support organizational communications in conjunction with the Watershed Education and Outreach Coordinator, including newsletters, event notifications, and public outreach
• Support the Watershed Education and Outreach Coordinator in the maintenance and upkeep of the SSWC’s website
• Cultivate relationships with businesses, donors, and community organizations

Other Duties

• Develop and update procedures for common tasks
• Ensure regular file back-ups, proper file management, and accurate maintenance of administrative records for payroll, mileage, and expense tracking
• Attend trainings, workshops, and conferences as appropriate
• Attend occasional evening and weekend activities in various locations nearby the watershed.
• Other duties as assigned by vote of the SSWC board

Qualifications and Experience
Required Qualifications

• A holistic and interdisciplinary understanding of non-profit management, business administration, and natural resource management, including leadership experiences and/or education. This experience could come from any of the following:
• • A related Master’s degree with at least 3 years of relevant experience
  • – or – A related Bachelor’s degree with at least 4 years of experience         
  • – or – Six years of relevant experience as an Executive Director or manager       
  • – or – Eight years of other lived experience (please specify in cover letter)       
  • – or – Any combination of the above
• Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills. This includes the ability to work and interact with community members of diverse backgrounds and perspectives in a courteous and professional manner
• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively with respect for grant funding
• Experience working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, partners, and agencies
• Financial management experiences, particularly with a non-profit or public agency
• Adaptability for a changing and dynamic organizational landscape
• Past supervisory experience

Preferred Qualifications

• A knowledge of Pacific Northwest ecology, and in particular, the Willamette Valley
• Experience with OWEB grants, Federal grants, and other Oregon-based funding sources
• Experience supervising staff, volunteers, or contractors
• A high degree of proficiency with Microsoft Excel and QuickBooks
• Experience coordinating multiple projects simultaneously