Project Director (Water Resources) - Modesto/San Francisco/Sacramento/Fresno

Experience: 8-12 years; or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Start Date: September 2, 2025, or as soon as possible

Job Type: Full Time, Exempt with benefits

To Apply: Please send your cover letter and resume to JOBS@suscon.org and include “Project Director (Water Resources)” in the subject line. 

ABOUT US

Sustainable Conservation unites people to solve the toughest challenges facing California’s land, air, and water––and to collaboratively steward the resources all Californians depend on in ways that are equitable, practical, and enduring. For over three decades, Sustainable Conservation has driven shared solutions to meet the water needs of California’s environment, people, and economy – with particular focus on advancing sustainable groundwater management and accelerating the stewardship of ecosystems, working lands, and waterways.

Over the past few years, Sustainable Conservation has connected its programs around conserving California’s water resources through groundwater recharge, aquatic habitat restoration, water quality management, and soil health. This holistic approach to conserving the state’s most consequential resource has allowed Sustainable Conservation to listen, collaborate, and test solutions on the ground so they can scale effectively, equitably, and sustainably.

Since 1993, Sustainable Conservation has found success in building uncommon coalitions across sectors, interests, and geographies to develop scalable, science-based strategies that establish truly lasting solutions. The programmatic focus on removing barriers to adoption and driving systemic change ensures long-term positive impacts. By working at the watershed scale, this approach enables solutions to take root and grow across California’s most vital and vulnerable landscapes. Please visit www.suscon.org to learn more about our work. 

POSITION SUMMARY

Sustainable Conservation’s priorities include improving water supply reliability for farming, farm-adjacent communities, and ecosystems in California’s Central Valley. One of our areas of focus involves promoting and scaling multi-benefit stewardship of water, through groundwater recharge and demand management, to achieve groundwater sustainability, drinking water protection, and ecosystem benefits.

We are seeking a Project Director with experience in California water and/or agriculture to ensure that our Water for the Future Program strategies are compatible with real-world management decisions. The ideal candidate will understand water management at an irrigation district, water agency, flood control, and/or Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA) scale. The ideal candidate will also have experience working with agricultural producers.

The Project Director will be an essential member of Sustainable Conservation’s multi-disciplinary Water Team and will provide perspectives about the priorities and constraints of water managers while taking into consideration agronomic, environmental, and community priorities. Main responsibilities of the Project Director include:

• building external partnerships to pilot and scale sustainable multi-benefit water management strategies;
• collaborating with team members in the development of decision support tools and guidance materials for water managers and agencies;
• managing at least two projects and related contracts;
• working on scoping and applying for funding for potential projects.

This position will report to the Senior Director for the Water for the Future Program and expand the Water Team’s ability to collaborate on and develop multi-benefit water management programs to advance viable solutions to California’s complex water challenges.

Location: This position can be based out of one of our offices, located in San Francisco, Sacramento, or Modesto. Our teams work in a hybrid work environment with the option to work remotely a few days a week. Periodic travel throughout the state will be required.

Primary Responsibilities

Subject Matter Expertise

• Contribute to strategic planning, particularly to pilot, develop, and scale multi-benefit water management projects and programs.
• Develop technical guidance and materials in support of multi-benefit water management programs.
• Proactively identify water management challenges and opportunities that could affect program strategies and activities.

Project Management & Teamwork

• Scope, direct, and manage projects through collaborative relationships with other team members (peers rather than direct reports). Prepare progress and final reports, recommendations, and other materials to meet deliverables.
• Provide guidance, support, and feedback to colleagues in a timely manner.
• Partner with staff and external partners to plan and execute workshops, field days, presentations, and outreach events.

Communication & Partnership-Building

• Build relationships and partnerships with Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs), irrigation and water districts, agricultural industry associations, local community groups, environmental justice and conservation NGOs, government agencies, corporations, and technical consultants.
• Represent the Water for the Future program to external audiences and communicate lessons learned about establishing and implementing water management programs.

Experience and Skills Required

Technical Training

• BA/BS degree in Natural Resource Management, Soil Science, Hydrology, Agronomy or related field with at least 8 years field experience; or an equivalent combination of education and field experience.
• Expertise in California water management, particularly as it pertains to irrigated agriculture.
• Experience with the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), such as working with Groundwater Sustainability Agencies on the development or implementation of Groundwater Sustainability Plans.
• Ability to read, understand, and discuss complex scientific research.

Partnership-Building

• Experience building working relationships with water agencies, technical consultants, agricultural industry groups, government agencies, farmers, NGOs, communities, and other stakeholders.

Project Management

• Experience managing multiple projects and timelines, working both independently and as part of a team.
• Experience negotiating contracts, scopes of work, budgets with funders and contractors/consultants.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications required, experience working with SharePoint, Office365 a plus

Communication

• Excellent communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills needed for engaging with internal staff and external partners/stakeholders.

Culture & Values

• Commitment to principles of diversity, equity and inclusion; desire to work with communities and conservationists.
• Commitment to organizational values: Collaboration, Respect, Results, Honesty, Learning, and Well-Being.

Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel

Also Desirable:

• Knowledge and experience implementing innovative water conservation or groundwater recharge practices.
• Multi-lingual/multi-cultural skills and/or training.
• Proficiency in ArcGIS or QGIS.

Compensation: The compensation for this position will be in the range of $108,230- $119,230 annually. The exact pay offered will be determined by factors including but not limited to education, experience, the external labor market, and internal equity.

COVID-19 Note: Sustainable Conservation is a 100% COVID-19 vaccination workplace. Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (including booster) is required before the first day of employment. Job applicants with religious and disability-related objections will be extended reasonable accommodations.

WHAT WE OFFER

A competitive compensation package based on experience, fully paid health insurance benefits, generous match on 401k, FSA, EAP, vacation, floating days, sick leave, plus the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day as holiday leave. One of our greatest benefits is our culture. Our staff are collaborative, dedicated, and caring. We believe in articulating and practicing our values (Collaboration, Respect, Results, Honesty, Learning, and Well-Being) at work and have a strong commitment to incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into our work and workplace culture. We encourage, prioritize, and support professional development and career growth within the organization.

At Sustainable Conservation, we value culture and diversity and as an equal opportunity employer we encourage qualified individuals from all backgrounds to apply to our job openings. We understand that candidates may not possess every skill or qualification listed in the job description. If you are passionate about this role and believe you have the potential to succeed, we encourage you to apply and highlight your transferable skills and relevant experience.