About the job
Watershed Program Coordinator
Job Status: Full- time. This is a 1-year, term position with the possibility of continuation.
Salary and Benefits: $43,000-$46,000, health and dental insurance, paid time off.
Schedule: Hybrid (~ 60% in-office/on-site, 40% remote); evenings and weekends required for events
Reports to: Executive Director
The Doan Brook Watershed Partnership (DBWP) is a nonprofit organization working to restore and protect the Doan Brook and its 12-square-mile urban watershed. Flowing through the cities of Cleveland, Shaker Heights, and Cleveland Heights, the brook links neighborhoods, parks, institutions, and Lake Erie. DBWP advances its mission through community-based restoration, environmental education, and collaborative stewardship. As a small but high-impact team, we work with residents, city officials, scientists, educators, and volunteers to implement creative, place-based solutions that improve water quality, community access, and ecological resilience.POSITION SUMMARY
The Watershed Program Coordinator plays a key role in supporting both public-facing and behind-the-scenes efforts, including field stewardship, outreach, volunteer coordination, community engagement, educational programming, and data tracking. This is a great opportunity for an early-career professional interested in environmental science, education, or nonprofit program work, especially in urban watersheds, environmental justice, and climate resilience contexts.PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Engagement & Stewardship
- Plan and facilitate volunteer stewardship events (stream cleanups, tree plantings, invasive species removals)
- Manage event logistics: permits, supplies, site prep, signage, registration
- Recruit and communicate with volunteers and partner organizations
- Track participation data and assist with reporting and evaluation
- Support hikes, bicycle tours, fishing and boating events in coordination with staff and partners
- Participate in rain garden, bioswale, and other green infrastructure installations
Outreach & Communications
- Draft newsletters, event announcements, signage, outreach materials, social media and website posts.
- Create educational content focused on stormwater, watersheds, and sustainability
- Represent DBWP at events across Northeast Ohio (e.g., Earth Day, Arbor Day, festivals)
- Attend local meetings with community groups and city agencies to strengthen partnerships
- Support office management and equipment and asset management
Technical & Program Support
- Assist Program Manager with stream monitoring (chemical, physical, biological) and data collection
- Support habitat assessments and green infrastructure evaluation
- Organize and maintain monitoring data in spreadsheets and internal databases
- Help prepare grant applications, reports, and program summaries
- Participate in stakeholder meetings and help support new restoration project development
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in environmental science, sustainability, ecology, or related field
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Organized, detail-oriented, and flexible with shifting priorities
- Commitment to environmental justice and equitable community service
- Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends
- Ability to lift 50 lbs, hike uneven terrain, and work outdoors in all weather
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
Preferred:
- Experience in watershed science, ecology, community conservation, or environmental education
- Experience presenting scientific or technical information to general audiences
- Familiarity with water quality monitoring equipment or habitat protocols
- Experience using GIS or other mapping and data analysis tools
- Experience working with diverse partners or communities
- Cultural competency and professionalism in community-based settings
- Familiarity with stormwater management, green infrastructure, or environmental policy
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT
This position requires both office and outdoor fieldwork, including:
- Regular travel within the watershed for meetings, events, and monitoring
- Manual dexterity to operate computers, phones, scientific and office equipment
- Ability to bend, lift, and carry up to 50 lbs
- Ability to walk in streams, forests, and urban terrain for several miles
- Work in variable outdoor conditions, including heat, rain, and uneven surfaces
Reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified applicants as needed.APPLICATION
- Please submit resume and cover letter to: Emily Kao, Executive Director of the Doan Brook Watershed Partnership, to jobs@dbwp.org
- Please include your last name and “Watershed Program Coordinator” in the subject line.
- Deadline: Open until filled, Review of applications to begin immediately
- Posted: February 1, 2026
WHY JOIN US?
This is more than a job, it’s a chance to protect one of Northeast Ohio’s beloved freshwater corridors while building your skills in environmental leadership. If you’re passionate about clean water, resilient communities, and making a difference at the local level, we hope you’ll apply.
