Regional Landowner Recruitment Services, Request for Qualifications

The North Santiam Watershed Council, in partnership with South Santiam and Calapooia Watershed Councils, is soliciting qualifications for a Regional Landowner Recruitment Services Contract. The purpose of the Regional Landowner Recruitment Services Contract is to implement the strategic goals and objectives of the Watershed Councils and Meyer Memorial Trust’s (MMT) Willamette Model Watershed Program in the Santiam and Calapooia selected sub?basins of high ecological priority. Coordination with all three Councils is an essential component of this contract. Recruitment of landowners for watershed restoration and conservation projects in high priority sub?basins will be the primary activity of this contract.

Background

The Watershed Councils are a locally-driven, non-governmental, non-regulatory community based organizations that facilitate stewardship and restoration projects as described in Oregon Revised Statute 541.350 and the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds. The North Santiam, South Santiam and Calapooia Watershed Councils (Councils) have created a unique partnership to increase individual Council capacity while sharing resources to promote efficiency within the organizations. This partnership has been recognized by Meyer Memorial Trust and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation and funded through the Willamette Model Watershed Program. The Model Watershed Program seeks to create a restoration strategy that improves the pace and effectiveness of community-based restoration through adaptive management and through supporting aspects of restoration that are traditionally difficult to sustain.

Scope of Services


*Landowner Outreach & Recruitment*	Work with the regional Santiam/Calapooia team to recruit landowners in high priority areas and stream reaches to secure landowner commitment to watershed restoration projects. Landowner recruitment will include the following activities: Develop partnerships and build trust with landowners to secure commitment to conservation and restoration actions, maintenance and monitoring (includes cold calls, site visits and coordinating signing landowner agreements). Identify and partner with existing community education providers to build a comprehensive education and outreach program based on existing programs (e.g. The Nature Conservancy, OSU Extension, etc.) to coordinate technical assistance, provide landowner workshops on best management practices and schedule presentations for council meetings. Develop relevant and tailored presentations to community groups such as City Councils and landowner organization/networks (e.g. grass seed farmers, small woodland owner, etc.) within the high priority sub?basin areas. Community networking by attending various meetings to build trust and message about restoration opportunities. Create mailings to targeted landowners to advertise events (e.g. workshops, tours, presentations, etc.), and to report on local restoration progress. Recruit landowners in high priority sub?basins to attend Councils meetings, events and workshops. Maintain database. Organize tours of restoration projects on landowners’ properties for demonstration purposes. Develop media contacts to pursue monthly publications about watershed health and Council projects and press releases as needed in local newspapers. Provide material for the Councils to integrate on their websites pertaining to the Model Watershed Program and for landowner reference.
*Communication and Partnership Meetings*	Provide written work plan progress reports to Watershed Councils monthly. Attend at least one Watershed Council meeting monthly. Coordinate with numerous partners and regional staff to implement strategic watershed restoration collaboratively. Regular communication with the other regional staff and contractors. Attend monthly regional partnership meetings. Work with the regional team to identify potential partnerships and maintain existing relationships.
*Budget and Grants*	Provide grant required status reports and completion reports. Track and report expenditures and tracking in-kind and cash match. Plan future program budgets to maintain progress towards recruitment goals in priority basins. Write grants.

Minimum Qualifications

Degree in natural resources/sciences (e.g. water resources, forestry, fisheries, planning, agricultural business, or related discipline), social sciences or other relevant subject area; a graduate degree and/or experience with watershed management, restoration, and property management planning are beneficial but not required.
Well-organized with excellent communications skills, including oral and writing.
Good people skills and able to communicate with diverse audiences across different social and political backgrounds.
A minimum of 3 years experience working with private landowners in rural areas, farming community, and agency stakeholders to develop conservation and/or restoration programs or projects.
Experience developing and delivering education and outreach programs.
Experience working with volunteers, including active recruitment and training.
Experience with and interest in working with diverse stakeholders and agencies.
Computer proficiency including experience with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint; experience with ArcGIS preferred.
Valid Oregon driver’s license, reliable personal transportation, and ability to attend evening and weekend activities.
Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions and hiking on uneven terrain.
Familiarity with fundraising, including grant writing and management.

Compensation

Contract duration will be from September 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013. Final Scope of Work and reimbursement for services will be negotiated based on qualifications.

[box type=”info” size=”large” style=”rounded”]This is an independent contractor position; therefore, contractor shall be responsible for all applicable federal or state taxes and shall not be eligible for Social Security contributions, worker’s compensation, unemployment insurance, Public Employees Retirement System or any additional benefits as a result of this contract.[/box]

Qualification Submission

Please submit cover letter, resume and 3 references in the form of email attachments to council@nsantiamwatershed.org by 5 pm July 18^th using the subject line “Landowner Recruitment Qualifications”.

Questions

Contact Liz Redon at 503-930-8202, liz_redon@msn.com.

Regional Landowner Recruitment Services, Request for Qualifications