Urban Tilth, a Richmond (CA)-based non-profit, is seeking a Water Conservation Projects
Manager to guide the continued growth of our Watershed Restoration Program. We are
implementing a brand new project that will install greywater and water catchment systems free
of charge for Richmond residents, while also training cohorts of young adults from West Contra
Costa County as they build skills in water conservation and land stewardship. We are looking for
a candidate who is passionate about water conservation, environmental justice and workforce
development to lead this work.
Program Description:
Urban Tilth’s Watershed Restoration Program (a.k.a. ‘Basins of Relations’) trains young adults
from the Richmond community to steward urban ecosystems and to understand their relationship
to land through a social and environmental justice framework. The Basins of Relations Training
Program is a paid apprenticeship which supports young people of color from West Contra Costa
County as they begin careers in environmental stewardship. Our 6-person Watershed Restoration
Field Crew employs exceptional graduates of the training program and provides contracted
restoration services for neglected urban waterways, in partnership with local landowning
agencies. Our community engagement events further build relationships between local residents
and the natural spaces within their community, creating community pride that is essential for
achieving desired ecological outcomes and building a sense of place. The ultimate goal of the
Watershed Restoration program is to empower residents of Richmond, North Richmond and San
Pablo by providing local, green-collar, career-based employment opportunities, and to affect
positive ecological change that benefits both human communities and our watershed.
In 2023 and beyond, we are expanding our care for the waters and lands of West County, and
actively addressing the climate crisis, by installing water-saving technologies for Richmond
residents free of charge.
About the position:
The Water Conservation Projects Manager will oversee the installation of
laundry-to-landscape greywater, water catchment, and drip irrigation systems for Richmond
residents. In addition to leading the technical aspects of these installations, this manager will also
need to be comfortable speaking with community members and guiding our Watershed
Restoration Crew as they support these installations. The Manager will be expected to share their
knowledge and build the leadership capacity of the young people in our Watershed Restoration
Field Crew and Training Programs. The Water Conservation Manager will also be responsible
for developing and presenting a greywater curriculum module to be added to our Basins of
Relations Training Program.
The Water Conservation Manager may also be asked to contribute to other elements of UT’s
Watershed Restoration Programming, including but not limited to community volunteer events,
creek restoration workdays, Summer Apprenticeship programming, and Farm events.
The Water Conservation Manager will be supported by the Watershed Restoration Program
Manager, but will be expected to independently organize, schedule, prep, install, and report on
the installation and maintenance of water conservation features within the community. When
supported by our Field Crew, The Water Conservation Manager is expected to work alongside
the crew while also providing guidance, support, and oversight as they work- helping to ensure a
safe, productive, efficient, and coherent work environment. Our goal is to install a minimum of
120 laundry-to-landscape greywater systems for low-income Richmond residents over the 5 year
grant period.
The Water Conservation Manager’s focus will be on installation of greywater systems,
building relationships with community members, tracking data and performing necessary
maintenance on installations, growing the skills of the young people in our programs, and
communicating with landowners, agency officials, and program supervisors. This project is
funded through contracts that require diligent data collection and excellent communication to
coordinate with stakeholders. The Manager must also share the story of the program through
social media postings (on UT’s page) and monthly reports.
Required qualifications:
● Experience installing laundry-to-landscape greywater systems at a residential scale, and
an ability to design and lead these installations.
● Experience installing and maintaining rainwater catchment systems.
● Experience installing drip irrigation systems, and an ability to design and lead these
installations.
● Experience landscaping with native and drought-tolerant plants.
● Experience developing educational programming.
● Experience and comfort working within communities of color.
● Deep understanding of climate change, climate justice, watershed stewardship.
● Valid driver’s license
● Agree to abide by Urban Tilth’s COVID-19 safety protocols, including mask mandates,
as recommended by County health officials and UT leadership.
Preferred qualifications:
● Ability to identify California native flora and fauna.
● Highly valued, but not required: Possesses contractors license
● Highly valued, but not required: Bilingual Spanish
Position responsibilities:
● Advise residents on the benefits of water conservation, recommend installation of water
saving systems (free of charge) where appropriate.
● Follow up with interested residents, install greywater/catchment systems up to the highest
possible standard and within the guidelines of the California plumbing code.
● Guide young adults in UT’s programs as they build their skills in the water conservation
field, help them to gain hands-on experience through the installation projects.
● Track programmatic data, including outreach performed, number of systems installed,
water savings achieved, successes/failures of installation methods.
● When necessary, participate in Field Crew workdays on local creek sites, and contribute
to all tasks relevant to the site at hand, including, but not limited to: native species
propagation, invasive species removal, erosion control installation.
● Lead small training modules on information relevant to water conservation and greywater
installation.
● Be organized, punctual, responsible, an excellent communicator and a stellar role model.
● Create and maintain relationships with stakeholders, organizations and individuals.
● Deliver presentations at annual board staff retreats and strategic planning meetings.
● Attend all Urban Tilth staff meetings and annual retreat.
● Attend trainings and conferences to continue to develop your professional skills.
● Take advantage of professional development opportunities and continue to grow your
own skills as a manager and employee.
Compensation
● 40 hrs/week, 100% time position
○ Exact hours of work are somewhat flexible to meet candidate needs, but typically
our workdays are 9am-5pm M-F, with occasional weekend events.
● Salaried position $62,400 annually
● Benefits include: 40 hours paid vacation, 7 paid holidays and paid Winter Break from
Dec 22nd – Jan 2nd, 40 hours of annual paid sick leave, and medical, dental and life
insurance benefits and wellness fund benefits.
Contact
Those interested should send a resume and cover letter to employmentwts@urbantilth.org .
Please include ‘Water Conservation Manager’ in the subject line. If you have questions
concerning the position please contact nathan@urbantilth.org.
We are hoping to have this new hire begin work on March 1st, 2023, but this start date is
negotiable.