Program Coordinator

Job Title: Program Coordinator

Reports To: Program Manager

Hours: Full-time, 40 hours/week, exempt with benefits

Job Level: 2.1

Compensation: $60,205

Close Date: Open until filled. Application review begins June 22, 2026.

About the Huron River Watershed Council

The Huron River Watershed Council (HRWC) is a nonprofit organization and a coalition of watershed residents, businesses, and local governments. HRWC is the oldest regional river protection organization in Michigan with a mission to protect and restore the river for healthy and vibrant communities. 

We work with a collaborative and inclusive spirit to give all partners the opportunity to become stewards; generate science-based, trustworthy information for decision makers to ensure reliable supplies of clean water and resilient natural systems; and passionately advocate for the health of the river and the lands around it.

We all need a healthy environment to live and thrive. HRWC commits to upholding intersectionality and anti-racism as foundations for our efforts for the Huron River and its communities. We advance equitable river-friendly policies and programs that ensure all communities can access, benefit from, and enjoy a healthy environment and river.

HRWC aspires to an open and inclusive culture through our commitment to diversity within the workplace. We prohibit discrimination against volunteers, clients, and applicants based on race, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental handicap/disability, social economic class, ethical values, and/or political beliefs.

Research indicates women and people of color are less likely to apply for positions where they don’t meet all the qualifications. If you are excited about this position, we encourage you to apply if you feel you have the experience to thrive in the role even if you don’t meet 100% of the qualifications.

Learn more about us at www.hrwc.org/about.

Position Description

The Program Coordinator assists with the planning and implementation of volunteer management, environmental monitoring, and stormwater outreach programming across the organization. The position is primarily responsible for coordinating volunteers and data collection to support HRWC’s long-term Chemistry and Flow Monitoring Program and assisting with its ongoing development and implementation. The Program Coordinator will also support other volunteer coordination, community engagement, and monitoring activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Volunteer and Monitoring Coordination (90%)

• Coordinate and manage daily volunteer scheduling and field logistics during the April through September monitoring season
• Plan and deliver multiple volunteer training events each year
• Lead recruitment of volunteers and oversee development of outreach materials to attract and engage volunteers
• Provide on-call technical support to volunteers conducting independent fieldwork
• Conduct in-stream water quality monitoring, including measuring stream flow, collecting water samples, and using handheld water quality meters
• Manage, maintain, and procure monitoring and laboratory equipment and supplies
• Cultivate partnerships with municipalities, laboratories, volunteers, interns, and university collaborators
• Perform E. coli analysis of water samples using IDEXX Colilert methodology, following established laboratory protocols and quality control standards
• Oversee data flow from ArcGIS Survey123 into the program’s geodatabase
• Review, validate, and process all incoming field and laboratory data to ensure accuracy
• Identify data anomalies and coordinate follow-up actions, as needed
• Coordinate storm, outfall, and high flow monitoring, as needed
• Conduct ongoing and annual program evaluations, assess program effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement
• Analyze monitoring data, generate reports, and maintain digital data dashboards
• Present monitoring results to watershed stakeholders and other public audiences
• Assist with the coordination of watershed management programs and initiatives, meeting planning, project reporting, outcome tracking, and preparation of permit compliance documentation

Organizational Support (10%)

• Participate in staff and departmental meetings, strategic planning, and other organization events and activities
• Generate content for organizational newsletter, website, and social media
• Support the development of new projects, grant proposals, and other fundraising efforts
• Implementing other HRWC priorities as a part of project teams and committees to advance the scientific and management goals of the Huron River watershed, on topics including but not limited to volunteer coordination and water quality

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of experience with volunteer management and/or environmental and water resources issues, or a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, environmental science, chemistry, natural resources, ecology, or a related field
• Experience leading groups of people and/or coordinating volunteers
• Self-motivated, organized, and collaborative; ability to work independently and in teams
• Values alignment with HRWC, including a commitment to equity, inclusion, and environmental justice

Preferred Qualification

• Experience with water monitoring and stormwater management
• Proficiency with ArcGIS, Survey123, Salesforce, and Microsoft Office Suite
• Data management and statistical analysis skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including experience presenting material to a variety of audiences
• Familiarity with Southeast Michigan and the Huron River
• Interest in deepening and expanding volunteer engagement
• Experience collaborating and working with diverse communities

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those necessary to perform the essential functions of this job. Accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Access to and use of a vehicle and ability to travel within a five-county area in southeast Michigan
• Availability to work some evenings and weekends
• Ability to stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone, including close vision for computer work
• Ability to meet the demands of the work environment including physical activity (wading in streams and rivers, carrying equipment), being in indoor and outdoor locations in a variety of temperatures, light conditions, activity, and noise levels
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license for driving in the State of Michigan

Compensation & Pay Transparency

The starting salary for this position is $60,205 and is non-negotiable. HRWC is committed to pay equity, and all staff are hired at established rates. Employees receive an annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) of 2.5%, applied consistently across the organization. Additionally, staff are eligible for merit-based promotions, which carry an average salary increase of approximately 10% and are typically awarded every four to six years based on performance and organizational need.

Benefits

• Pre-tax retirement account with HRWC match
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Short and long-term disability
• Paid time off including 7 holidays, plus a paid winter break between December 24 and January 2, plus vacation, sick and personal time 
• Professional development guidance and assistance

HRWC supports a hybrid work environment with the ability to work both remotely and from HRWC’s offices in Ann Arbor, MI. HRWC staff are expected to be office-based a minimum of three days/week.

Application Process 

Apply at www.hrwc.org/jobs. Application review begins June 22, 2026. Upload your cover letter and resume when you complete your application form. References will be requested for final candidates. Questions may be directed to programcoordinator@hrwc.org.