JOB DESCRIPTION
The Water Collaborative Water Resource & Testing Coordinator provides comprehensive support to the organization's water resource management, testing, and policy programming. Specific outputs and tasks include coordinating and overseeing the water-testing program for heavy metals, PFAS, and other emerging contaminants across Southeast Louisiana. Tasks include interpreting data, disseminating information, managing water-testing fellows/policy interns, and public speaking to relevant communities and stakeholders. The WR & T coordinator is also responsible for following and interpreting information from local, state, and federal agencies regarding water events and policy initiatives. The WR & T Coordinator will be the point person for federal oversight and will write the quarterly Water Watch Newsletter and co-write the annual Legislative Report, interpreting the quantitative and qualitative data for public consumption. Over the course of the year, they will engage with elected officials at all levels of government on water challenges and solutions. The WR & T Coordinator will work collaboratively with all team members to develop trauma-informed and public-facing educational tools and content, while supporting a strong, efficient water-testing program.
Compensation: $42K - 52K
Must live in the Greater New Orleans area or Southeast Louisiana.
What does water resource management mean to TWC?
Water resource management includes water quality (particularly drinking water), land-use management, surface and groundwater, nature-based adaptation and mitigation, and relevant implementation tools. Issue areas include:
Lead and heavy metal remediation at the local and federal levels
Corporate, data center, and other private entity water usage
Protecting the clean water and drinking water acts
Support public education and understanding of the above issues
Support policy change by elevating or developing community-driven policy solutions through papers or blogs, public comments, letters, petitions, and social media channels.
About the Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans:
The Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans (TWC) is a regional leader in urban water resource management, climate adaptation strategies, and climate communications. Our mission is to advance community-driven policy solutions to champion water as a human right and reimagine resilience in a water-unstable world. We envision a world where water is a transformative force that bridges communities, restores ecosystems, and empowers future generations.
The organization emerged from The Greater New Orleans Water Plan, established in 2013 by a cross-national team from New Orleans and the Netherlands. TWC was officially incorporated in 2017. Since that time, our mission has evolved to integrate strategies that drive policies and practices to foster water justice in the region. Today, we create unique and necessary methods to the world's most pressing issue, water, through collaborative, interdisciplinary approaches, and develop multi-objective policies to solve water challenges in and outside of Louisiana. Everyone has a role to play in stormwater management, water justice, and climate adaptation and mitigation. TWC brings together people from all walks of life, with a focus on communities that have historically been marginalized from land-use conversation, and brings them to decision-making tables to create smarter, unique opportunities for collective innovation in service of both flora and fauna and communities across Louisiana and the American South.
Long Term Outcomes:
Resources: Community resources, including financial, informational, and social capital, are distributed equitably to support access to safe drinking water and comprehensive water services across Louisiana.
Climate and Civic Competency: Community members of all ages build the skills, understanding, and confidence needed to take action on water issues and to participate in shaping policies that affect their water systems.
Thriving, Healthy Communities: Communities create and sustain thriving, healthy, and connected environments where responsive infrastructure is developed in partnership with those who live there.
Scalable Community Tools & Governance: Tools and models for inclusive, community-led decision making are developed and shared, enabling communities to participate fully and adaptively in shaping water resource governance within their own communities and across the region.
Key Responsibilities:
Program Coordination & Management
Coordinate and oversee the organization’s water-testing program across Southeast Louisiana
Manage testing for heavy metals, PFAS, and other emerging contaminants.
Ensure testing protocols, quality control, and data integrity are followed
Supervise and support water-testing fellows, policy interns, and volunteers
Maintain testing schedules, supplies, documentation, and reporting systems
Data Analysis & Interpretation
Interpret quantitative and qualitative water-testing data
Translate technical findings into accessible, community-friendly language
Identify trends, risks, and emerging water-quality concerns
Support data visualization and summaries for reports and public materials
Communications & Public Education
Disseminate water-testing results to communities, partners, and stakeholders
Serve as a public-facing spokesperson on water-testing findings when needed
Contribute content and analysis to the quarterly Water Watch Newsletter
Support the development of the annual Legislative Report, including data interpretation
Collaborate on trauma-informed, community-informed educational tools and outreach materials
Policy Monitoring & Government Relations
Track and interpret water-related actions, alerts, and policy changes from all levels of government.
Serve as the organization’s point person for federal water oversight matters
Engage with elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels on water issues
Provide timely briefings to staff and leadership on regulatory or policy developments
Community & Stakeholder Engagement
Present water data and findings at community meetings and public forums
Build trust with impacted communities through transparent, trauma-informed communication
Coordinate with community partners, advocates, and coalitions on water issues
Cross-Team Collaboration & Organizational Support
Work collaboratively with all team members to align testing, policy, and communications efforts
Support organizational goals related to environmental justice and water equity
Contribute to the continuous improvement of water-testing and outreach processes
Anticipated Tasks and Output Examples:
Attending team in-person meetings weekly, and policy team meetings as agreed and needed.
With the support of the Deputy Director and the Policy & Research Coordinator, lead the water testing programs. Anticipated tasks include;
Recruitment and training of water testing fellows
Recruitment of program participants in designated areas of the region and onboarding them into the program,
Ensuring all testing materials reach the required facilities and serving as a clear line of communication with the testing facility on any budget changes, quality control of all test kits, etc.
Attend public meetings on water resources at the local, state, and federal levels, and provide ample notes. This includes attending key coalition meetings and other key partner calls.
With the support of the Deputy Director and Operations Manager, develop an earned revenue model for water testing.
Write the Quarterly newsletter and, with the comms team's support, create relevant content.
Co-write the annual Legislative Report with the policy team.
Support policy initiatives such as the Water Justice Fund, Community Engagement Framework, and other core TWC programs.
Company Culture and Benefits:
TWC values both building a healthy work environment and respecting work-life balance.
We are a hybrid office, and expect team members to attend a mandatory in-office day once per week.
Team-building days are held once per quarter, and a 3- to 5-day Professional Development team trip is held annually.
After-hours, weekend, or out-of-town events are discussed well in advance when they arise.
Team receives all federal holidays off, and every team member receives two extra weeks of PTO at the end of the year for Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Current benefits include healthcare (dental and vision) and a 401 (k) plan offered by Carbon Collective after one year of employment.
Professional Development opportunities for all staff after one year of employment.
Professional mediation and in-office support are provided to support any challenges in and outside the office.
Performance Review & Reporting:
A Performance Review will be conducted after 90 days. The performance review will include interviews with staff and board members, as well as a review of deliverables and outputs.
Annual reviews are conducted twice a year for all staff members, and may include salary increase opportunities pending board approval and budget reviews.
Application:
Below is a rough outline of the application process. Subject to change based on leadership capacity.
Complete an interest form. (Form requires all short answer responses, resume or CV, writing or work samples, and three references)
A TWC team member will schedule a 20-30-minute introductory call to get to know the candidate and discuss the role and its responsibilities.
Final interview with the Executive Director and TWC staff.
Reference and Background Checks.
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