Watershed Coordinator

FLSA Status: Exempt

Grade: 11

Position Summary

The Watershed Coordinator supports the mission of Oka’- The Water
Institute at East Central University, by leading 
producer-focused outreach and beginning-level conservation support that primarily
advance water quality and long-term water sustainability in southern Oklahoma. The position emphasizes engagement with farmers, ranchers,
tribes, and rural communities to encourage adoption of land management approaches that protect and enhance water 
resources through
improved soil and plant health. The Watershed Coordinator advances the Land Stewardship Focus Area’s central focus on water quality and
long-term water sustainability by helping producers in southern Oklahoma 
implement traditional and regenerative land management
practices that protect soils, strengthen plant communities, 
and support resilient habitats and rural economies across the Southern
Plains. 

This position is a grant funded position. The coordinator focuses on relationship-building, coordination,
and 
communication, while progressively developing technical skills in conservation planning, grazing and
vegetation 
management, watershed function, and field-based monitoring through structured training and mentorship within
the 
Land Stewardship Focus Area. 

Essential Job Duties

Outreach and Producer Engagement (Primary)
• Develop
and maintain relationships with agricultural producers, producer groups, conservation districts, tribal 
partners, and other
organizations to increase awareness of OKA’ Institute’s water-focused land stewardship and 
watershed initiatives in southern
Oklahoma. 
• Coordinate and schedule on-farm and ranch-based meetings, workshops, and site visits to discuss
producer 
goals, water-related resource concerns, and opportunities to participate in stewardship programming. 
• Clearly
communicate available services and resources within the Land Stewardship program, including technical 
assistance, planning support,
water-conscious grazing strategies, and demonstration projects. 
• Assist in organizing and delivering producer field days, peer
learning events, and community presentations that 
highlight how soil and plant management, grazing, habitat practices, and
prescribed fire contribute to water 
quality and watershed health. 
• Maintain records of outreach contacts, meetings,
events, and follow-up actions to support internal program 
tracking, reporting, and grant obligations. 

Beginning-Level
Conservation Planning and Technical Support

• Under supervision, assist landowners with basic conservation planning focused on water
quality and watershed 
function, including initial resource inventories, identification of water-related concerns, and documentation
of 
current land use and management. 
• Support development and refinement of grazing and forage management approaches, in
both traditional and 
regenerative systems, that improve soil and plant health, reduce erosion, and enhance water infiltration
and 
retention on cooperating operations. 
• Participate in vegetation and ground cover observations, simple carrying
capacity assessments, and basic soil 
and habitat condition checks to inform adaptive management for water, soil, and ecosystem
outcomes. 
• Progressively develop skills in watershed processes, rangeland and pasture ecology, and wildlife
habitat 
relationships so that technical guidance increasingly reinforces water quality and watershed sustainability
goals. 

Prescribed Fire and Land Stewardship Fieldwork

• Participate in prescribed burns and local prescribed burn
association activities as part of integrated land 
stewardship, carrying out fire crew tasks, equipment operation, and safety
practices under appropriate 
supervision. 
• Assist with planning and logistics for prescribed fires used to improve plant
communities, manage woody 
encroachment, and support habitat conditions that, in turn, benefit watershed function and water
quality. 
• Support field demonstrations that integrate grazing, vegetation management, and prescribed fire
as 
complementary tools to protect soils, reduce runoff, and enhance ecosystem resilience. 

Applied Research,
Monitoring, and Collaboration

• Assist with applied research and demonstration projects related to water-conscious grazing,
watershed 
management, and habitat practices in southern Oklahoma by recruiting cooperating producers, coordinating 
field
access, and collecting basic field data following established protocols. 
• Contribute to summarizing observations and monitoring
results for internal reports, producer feedback, and 
outreach or extension-style materials developed by the Land Stewardship
team. 
• Maintain awareness of other OKA’ Focus Areas (e.g., water science, sustainable communities, and water policy) 
and
collaborate as needed to connect producer-facing work with broader water quality, monitoring, or 
sustainability
initiatives. 
• Engage, as appropriate, with state, tribal, and local water quality and conservation programs to align
outreach 
and practice adoption efforts with applicable goals and opportunities. 
• Other duties as assigned by Supervisor
or designee.

Omission of specific
statement of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the
position. 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, natural resources, environmental science,
rangeland management, animal 
science, communications, or a closely related field. 
• Demonstrated interest in working with
farmers, ranchers, tribes, and rural communities on water-focused land 
stewardship or agricultural issues. 
• Strong verbal
and written communication skills, with the ability to build rapport and trust with producers and 
partner organizations. 
•
Willingness to progressively develop technical skills in conservation planning, grazing and vegetation 
management, watershed
processes, and prescribed fire through training and mentorship. 
• Ability to work independently in the field and collaboratively
within a multidisciplinary team environment. 
Preferred qualifications:
• Field experience in grazing systems, livestock
management, range or pasture monitoring, or prescribed fire 
operations. 
• Familiarity with traditional and regenerative
agricultural practices that link soil and plant health to water quality, 
watershed resilience, and habitat conditions. 
•
Basic skills in GIS, GPS, and field data collection methods relevant to natural resource and watershed projects
preferred or willingness
to learn.

Licenses/Certifications

• None

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Understanding or strong interest in
learning how soil and plant health, grazing management, and habitat 
practices influence water quality, runoff, infiltration, and
watershed function. 
• Ability to facilitate meetings, producer visits, and small-group learning settings, including listening
carefully and 
translating technical concepts into practical, water-focused management options. 
• Strong organizational and
time-management skills, including balancing outreach, fieldwork, training, and 
reporting responsibilities
• Competency with
standard office software (Word, Excel, Outlook); familiarity with GIS, mapping, and basic data 
management tools preferred.
•
Must have a strong work ethic and lead by example 
• Must be a professional, credible and respected representative of the
institution internally and in the community
• Demonstrated willingness and ability to act ethically and socially responsible
• Ability
to communicate in a courteous manner

Physical Demands 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to
successfully 
perform the essential
functions of the job.

• Regularly required to walk and traverse uneven terrain, stand, bend, or climb over natural features
•
Ability to tolerate exposure to heat, smoke, dust, insects, and variable weather conditions for extended periods
• Frequently required to
sit, speak, and operate field instruments or computers
• Frequently required to communicate effectively with diverse populations
•
Regularly performs tasks that involve repetitive wrist and finger movement
• Regularly operates a computer and other standard office
equipment
• Ability to perform fieldwork, including walking over uneven terrain and working in heat, cold, smoke, dust, 
insects,
and variable weather conditions.
• Ability to lift and carry moderate loads; operate basic field equipment and vehicles as needed for
site visits, 
monitoring, and prescribed fire activities; and use appropriate personal protective equipment. 
• Mix of
office work and frequent field visits to farms, ranches, burn sites, and partner locations in southern 
Oklahoma, with regular
regional travel.
• Occasional evening or weekend work to accommodate producer schedules, field conditions, and
community 
events.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an
employee encounter while 
performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable
individuals with 
disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work environment is Mix of office work and frequent
field visits to farms, ranches, burn sites, and partner locations in southern Oklahoma, with regular regional travel.

• Work will be
split between office and field settings (outdoors, sometimes exposed to weather, moderate noise).
• Field work may take place in rugged,
remote, or natural terrain with variable conditions. Occasional need to 
wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as
flame-resistant clothing, gloves, hardhats, eye protection, 
and hearing protection. 
• Travel required for outreach, site
visits, conferences, and partner meetings.
• The position will have regular travel, including overnight stays, occasational evening or
weekend meetings may 
be required with potential exposure to various outdoor weather conditions during field activities. 
•
Must be able to lift and transport up to 25 pounds of materials or equipment. 

Working Relationships

• Reports directly
to the Land Stewardship Coordinator.
• Works closely with Land Stewardship staff involved in grazing, prescribed fire, watershed
projects, and economic 
analysis, as well as with other OKA’ Focus Areas on water-related initiatives when appropriate.
•
Coordinates with external partners such as conservation districts, tribal resource programs, producer 
associations, and regional
watershed or water quality groups.

Supervisory Responsibility 

None

East Central University, in compliance with
all applicable Federal and State laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age,
religion, disability, marital status, genetic information, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This
includes but is not limited to admission, employment, financial aid, and educational services. The following person has been designated to
handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Employment Services Director, 1100 E. 14th St., Danley Hall 111, Ada, OK
74820, (580) 559-5260.

Please ensure you have completed the Equal Opportunity Data Form with your application.

Equal Opportunity Data Form.pdf