Program Manager for Equitable Infrastructure

The US Water Alliance seeks a Program Manager to provide community engagement, facilitation, partner engagement, and community engagement training support. The Program Manager will serve as a key leader in the Alliance’s emerging Equitable Infrastructure initiative, which supports communities to equitably develop, fund, and deliver multi-benefit water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure.

Position Overview
Through our Equitable Infrastructure Initiative, the Alliance helps communities to access federal funding to build water and wastewater infrastructure in a way that supports equitable outcomes and that builds community resilience. The program includes two main components. The first component includes working directly with between 25-35 communities across the country per year to build their capacity to access and spend federal grant and loan money. Through this role, the Alliance works with a team of partners who provide financial, engineering, community engagement, and managerial assistance to communities. The second main component includes supporting training, facilitation, and peer learning for partners and communities receiving assistance. Reporting to the Director of Local Engagement, the Program Manager will support public and stakeholder engagement activities for municipalities across the country to ensure that the work of the Alliance and its partners is community-centric. The Program Manager will also support a wide range of other projects that will require significant engagement with partners and superior facilitation skills. The Program Manager is responsible for the success of the Alliance’s initiatives, ensuring seamless program delivery and quality. This position requires frequent travel.
 
What You’ll Do
Directly Support Communities
  • Travel to communities across the country to support public and stakeholder engagement in support of the Alliance’s Equitable Infrastructure initiative.
  • Coordinate with other Alliance staff and partners to ensure that public input features strongly in the infrastructure recommendations that are provided by the Alliance and its partners. 
  • Research and understand the context and infrastructure challenges of each community to help inform community engagement efforts and to contribute to team recommendations. 
  • Track and report on project progress.
  • Support the Equitable Infrastructure team in refining its community assistance approach, process, and procedures.
  • Support the development of outreach and engagement materials.
Support Other Facilitation and Training Needs
  • Provide community engagement training for staff and other community assistance providers.
  • Develop agendas for and support facilitation of peer learning calls for community assistance providers.
  • Support training of HBCUs to build their capacity to provide community assistance.
  • Support the development and facilitation of a peer learning network for communities receiving assistance from the Alliance and its partners. 
Provide Organizational Support
  • Support the Alliance’s network building strategy by helping recruit and onboard new members, building effective partnerships, and engaging in coalitions for the organization.
  • Represent the Alliance through in-person meetings, phone calls, conference attendance, and presenting at national meetings.
  • Serve as an external ambassador for the US Water Alliance through public speaking, relationship building, and coordinating strategic partnerships.
  • Support fundraising activities as needed, including but not limited to drafting program-specific content for proposals and meeting with philanthropic partners.
  • Support One Water Summit as needed with logistical, programmatic, and operational tasks.
 
What you bring to this role
Education and Experience:
Required:
  • Bachelor’s degree in related field; graduate degree preferred
  • Minimum of five years of experience in a related field
  • Demonstrated experience in public engagement, stakeholder engagement, and facilitation
Desired:
  • Experience working with utilities on water, wastewater, or stormwater matters
  • Experience working with GIS and Adobe Creative Suite
Abilities:
  • Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communications skills
  • Exceptional interpersonal skills
  • Ability to launch, implement, and successfully complete project or program deliverables independently
  • Demonstrated capacity for critical, independent, and creative thinking
  • Well-organized and able to work in a fast-paced environment
  • Demonstrated ability to deliver strategic results while functioning on a high-performing team
  • Ability to operate at strategic and tactical levels, often working on fast-moving projects on tight timelines
  • Comfortable working collaboratively and efficiently to create new systems, lead implementation, and support colleagues to successfully meet expectations
Mindset:
  • Passion for water, sustainability, and the mission of the US Water Alliance
  • Dedicated to team success
  • A self-starter, a problem solver, and detail-oriented
  • Flexibility and openness to changing conditions
 
Compensation and Location
In addition to a competitive salary of $70,000 – $90,000 (commensurate with experience), the US Water Alliance offers an excellent benefits package that includes paid vacation, health, vision, dental insurance, and a 401(k)-retirement plan. Qualified candidates will be considered regardless of location. While most work is performed remotely, travel will be required for on-site events, gatherings, and program and/or development needs.
 
 
To Apply
Please send your CV/resume, cover letter, and a writing sample to hr@uswateralliance.org with “Application: Program Manager for Equitable Infrastructure” in the subject line. The writing sample should include a policy analysis, report, article, or related materials. Applicant materials will be accepted through March 28, 2023. To download the full Program Manager for Equitable Infrastructure job description, click here.
 
 
What to Expect
We’ll review your application materials for experience, knowledge, and abilities required to successfully perform the job. Only those selected to advance in this process will be contacted for an interview. Candidates must possess current and valid US Work Authorization and be eligible to work for any US employer without sponsorship.
 
As part of our standard hiring process for new employees, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background check.
 
If you require assistance due to a disability in the application or recruitment process, please submit a request to hr@uswateralliance.org.