Position: Clean Water Grant Manager

Organization: Lamoille County Natural Resources Conservation District (LCNRCD) 

Location: Hybrid – Telework as work responsibilities allow, some work based at the USDA Service Center in Morrisville VT with travel around Lamoille County VT and other towns within the District

Hours: 35 hours/week; opportunity to expand to 40 hours/week as funding allows

Date Posted: 7/6/26 This position will remain open until filled. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until filled.

Ideal Start Date: August (passage of federal background check required, but can start onboarding process and some job duties with conditional offer of employment)

Position Summary
LCNRCD seeks a Clean Water Grant Manager based in Lamoille County, VT who is self-motivated, organized, and excited to build community with local land stewards, conservation organizations and municipalities. The role of Clean Water Grant Manager for LCNRCD’s clean water projects focuses on identifying and assisting private landowners and municipalities with projects that support the improvement and/or protection of water quality (ex. Erosion control measures, shoreline stabilization, stream bank protection, stormwater infiltration practices, etc.). They will support landowners, municipalities, and other partners by connecting them with technical assistance and financial resources. The successful candidate will support community outreach efforts in-person and online, and carry out individual restoration/conservation projects including project budget development, grant writing, contracting, implementation oversight, monitoring, and report writing.

This position is grant-funded and is under the general supervision of the LCNCD District Manager. Training will be provided and ‘shadowing’ with District staff will provide additional training and a deeper understanding of the work.

This position includes a seasonal mix of computer-based and field work. Computer work may include grant writing, attending virtual meetings, project coordination, etc. . Field work may include extended periods of physical exertion including climbing, balancing, kneeling, crouching, and bending down. Site visits will require walking multiple miles and at times along river banks, in woody areas, etc. Field work may be performed outside in all seasons including heat, rain, snow, etc. There may be requests to occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, following safety protocols.

Who We Are
LCNCD’s mission is: 

To Maintain and improve our natural resources, aid and educate our fellow citizens to appreciate and adjust to the changes taking place in our natural resource system, and be a local voice for conservation, preservation, and stewardship of all natural resources, and work in conjunction with other agencies (private and public) at the grassroots level. 

Conservation Districts are non-regulatory entities that work on a local level to protect natural resources, provide solutions and resources to address environmental concerns, and coordinate resources to support conservation land use practices. 

Wages and Benefits
This position is funded for the first year at 35 hours per week, with opportunity for growth full-time as funding allows. This is an at-will, non-salaried position with a starting wage range $23-$26/hr. Benefits include paid federal holidays, personal and sick time, family and medical leave, and generous work schedule flexibility. The District offers a health insurance stipend. Mileage will be reimbursed at the current federal rate.

Regular performance reviews will be held, with frequent opportunities to provide input and feedback. As local government entities, conservation Districts may be eligible employers for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). Employees who work 30 or more hours per week and make required payments on eligible student loans can be qualified for this program.

Responsibilities
All LCNRCD staff share responsibility for completing District work. An approximate distribution of the anticipated workload for this position is listed below. The exact distribution will change over time in response to available funding and existing staff skills and interests. Below are some of the duties you may have.

Project Manager

• Identify, design, and carry out clean water work which may include tree plantings, invasive species removal, forest road/trail improvements, dam removals, lakeshore and stream restoration, and stormwater management systems
• Locate and write grants to complete clean water work that may include tree plantings, invasive species removal, forest road/trail improvements dam removals, lakeshore and stream restoration, and stormwater management systems
• Coordinate with partners and other staff to ensure successful completion of these projects
• Review various reports and assessments to prioritize projects
• Participate in regional coordination meetings, collaborate regularly with partner staff
• Receive continued training in restoration techniques and design, project identification, and funding opportunities
• Secure funding, contractors, and permits for projects
• Conduct outreach to landowners, municipalities, and organizations to gain public support for the implementation of programmatic priorities
• Assist fellow District staff with other priority projects as needed

Minimum Qualifications

• Work experience and education in environmental science, watershed science, natural resources, agriculture, or related discipline such as agronomy, soil science, forestry, or agricultural engineering
• Strong communication skills in a variety of professional settings
• Ability to independently set work priorities, manage time efficiently, complete program deliverables on time, anticipate and identify obstacles, and create solutions
• Basic knowledge of water quality concerns, non-point source pollution, and remediation strategies
• Ability and willingness to accept trainings and shadowing opportunities, provide feedback and input around needs and challenges
• The ability to understand, communicate, and work within federal and state guidance
• Ability to produce and interpret documents and information layers using software including, but not limited to, ArcGIS, and Google Earth
• Fluency in basic computer programs (Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Adobe, video conferencing applications), and ability to quickly learn new software
• Willingness to regularly travel throughout Lamoille County & occasionally to District towns outside of Lamoille County
• Ability and willingness to meet with staff and contractors in person on site as necessary
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends
• Willingness to occasionally travel throughout Vermont State as necessary for trainings, workshops, and partner meetings
• Valid, unrestricted driver’s license

Some travel will be required in a personal vehicle and will be reimbursed at the federal mileage rate. This position will have access to the USDA Service Center office in Morrisville, VT, but remote work will be most common.

Desired Skills

• Knowledge of watershed management practices to enhance fish and wildlife habitat, clean water, flood resilience, and working lands business viability
• Relevant project management experience including budget and work plan development, deliverables, and cost tracking
• Knowledge of soil properties and characteristics sufficient to interpret land use potential and deficiencies, and to advise on erosion control, and land use methods to reduce risk of erosion
• Ability to work enthusiastically with a team, share ideas, and be willing to help others with shared goals
• Knowledge of invasive species identification and treatment methods
• Must own a dog eared copy of Braiding Sweetgrass
• Can look at the ground and easily identify at least 6 plants around you
• Know who Henry David Thoreau and Anne Labastille are
• Ability to manage many projects and initiatives while maintaining positive working relationships
• Comfortable with public outreach and skilled at organizing, planning, and presenting to citizen groups, organizations, and committees
• Experience writing and managing grants
• Enjoy working with kids of all ages 
• Gardening or nursery skills
• Building and trail maintenance skills a strong plus

Applications are encouraged by all who believe they have the skills and passion to succeed in this role, even if not all qualifications listed are met. Lamoille County NRCD is willing to train the right individual and will support their professional growth.

LCNRCD IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), marital status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, protected veteran status, disability, age (40 or older), political affiliation, and genetic information.

To Apply: Please email willow.longo@lamoillenrcd.org a single PDF file with “Clean Water Grant Manager” in the subject line, containing:

1. A cover letter indicating your interest in the position
2. A resume detailing relevant education and experience
3. Three professional references