Job Information
- Location: Wilmington
- Close Date: 09/18/2026
- Hiring Organization: Cape Fear River Watch
- Contact Name: Kemp Burdette
- Contact Email: kemp@cfrw.us
- Job Website
Description
The Water Quality Program Manager will be responsible for maintaining and managing ongoing water quality programs and other grant-funded programs. This role includes both field work and in-office work, including some evening and weekend hours.
Responsibilities
Responsible for:
- 2nd Saturday monthly cleanups and bonus cleanup;
- Creekwatcher citizen science program;
- Passive litter collection program;
- Implementation of municipal stormwater contract;
- Swimguide sampling;
- Representing CFRW at water quality related meeting;
- Maintaining strong volunteer relationship;
- Environmental education presentation;
- Maintaining lab and field equipment;
- Management and/or support of grant-funded projects;
- Grant research and grant writing;
- Assisting with management of interns as needed;
- Promotion and outreach of program activities, in collaboration with Outreach and Engagement Manager;
- Manage volunteer recruitment and engagement;
- Support upkeep of in-office water quality sampling lab and general office upkeep;
- Provide event support;
- Presentations to community groups and classrooms;
- Support and/or act as staff liaison for committee(s) relevant to role;
- Share responsibility for website maintenance and updates;
- Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in an environmental field or equivalent experience;
- Tech savvy;
- Experience coordinating meetings and events;
- Volunteer management experience;
- Advanced experience with Microsoft Office suite;
- Experience with Adobe suite;
- Experience with social media;
- Experience coordinating multiple projects;
- Ability to transport kayaks and help volunteers in and out of water;
- Experience handling standard business communications;
- Demonstrated strong administrative skills including attention to detail, ability to plan and organize, and experience coordinating and communicating with others;
- Ability to complete tasks independently within assigned time frames;
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, with assignments coming from a number of sources;
- Must be able to lift at least 50 pounds;
- Must be comfortable loading and unloading a kayak trailer;
- Must exhibit experience on the water in paddle craft and maintain a valid driver’s license at all times;
- Positive demeanor;
- Integrity.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Advanced degree or experience in environmental field;
- Multi-lingual and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience;
- Water quality research experience;
- GIS experience;
- Experience in nonprofit work and knowledge of 501c3 regulations;
- Passion for and knowledge of environmental issues affecting the Cape Fear Basin;
- 4 years related work experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience;
- Ability to tow (and back) a trailer.
Salary/Benefits
Salary range (dependent on experience): $42,000 – $46,000 annual, salaried position
Medical: 100% covered by CFRW (beginning 2027)
Life and Vision: 100% covered by CFRW
Dental: 50% covered by CFRW
Eligible to enroll in Simple IRA with up to a 3% employer match.
Flexible work environment.
Application Instructions
Submit a resume and cover letter as one combined PDF file, with ONLY your full name in format, [last name, first name] as the title of the document. NOTE: Any submissions not following this format request will NOT BE REVIEWED. Send to kemp@cfrw.us and lisa@cfrw.us with the subject line “Water Quality Program Manager.”
All applications must be submitted prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on September 18, 2026.
Cape Fear River Watch is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering a diverse workforce. The successful applicant must meet the requirements of Cape Fear River Watch’s background screening process.
