Water Quality Program Manager

Job Details

• Final date to receive applications: February 5, 2026
• Start Date: April 2026
• Office
  
  Location:
  
  15 Bank Row, Greenfield, MA
• Retirement benefits eligible: Yes
• Supervisor: Director of Programs
• Starting Salary Range: $55,000 - $60,000

The Connecticut River Conservancy’s water quality monitoring (WQM) program provides vital scientific information to help the public and local, state, and federal partners better understand our rivers’ health. The data collected by volunteers and staff also helps inform other areas of work such as advocacy and restoration. The Water Quality Program Manager is responsible for developing and managing CRC’s water quality monitoring program, while continuing to grow the program throughout the entire watershed in NH, VT, MA and CT.

• Manage the planning and implementation of a strategic annual water quality monitoring program throughout the watershed.
• Coordinate monitoring programs including:
  • Weekly bacteria monitoring at recreational sites in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
  • Biweekly bacteria, conductivity, and turbidity monitoring in southeastern Vermont and the Deerfield River watershed.
  • Participation in the LaRosa Partnership Program (Vermont DEC) and Volunteer River Assessment Program (New Hampshire DES).
  • Biweekly cyanobacteria testing (May‑October) and chloride monitoring program.
  • Biweekly Unified Water Study in CT for the Long Island Sound (May‑September).
• Identify and secure grant funding to support CRC’s WQ program, including salary, travel and supplies.
• Collaboratively support watershed partner WQ monitoring programs by processing their samples in our lab and providing technical support when they upload data to the Is It Clean website.
• Oversee the hiring and supervision of seasonal staff for the Water Quality Lab in Greenfield and ensure the lab meets necessary Data Quality Objectives.
• Oversee day‑to‑day operations of the Greenfield water quality lab.
• Recruit, train and manage water quality seasonal staff and volunteers.
• Review, quality check, and analyze water quality data for use in annual reports, CRC’s new watershed report, and submission to state and federal databases.
• Conduct outreach and education around water quality issues in the watershed.
• Develop Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPP) as needed for grant‑funded projects/programs.
• Manage the Is It Clean/Esta Limpio website, working with a web consultant on content edits.
• Coordinate with other Program Managers (Aquatic Ecology, Aquatic Invasive Species, and Restoration) to better integrate program work and grant support.

We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. We understand that many folks who may be impacted by biased hiring standards, such as women, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC applicants, may only apply if they meet every requirement listed in a job posting. If you are interested in this opportunity and believe you meet most of the job requirements, we encourage you to apply.

• Master’s degree in environmental science/conservation
• Knowledge of bacteria, cyanobacteria, nutrient, conductivity & turbidity testing procedures
• Experience with volunteer coordination and/or employee management
• Demonstrated experience with basic field and lab procedures, including maintenance of equipment
• Detail oriented and ability to manage complex data systems, data analysis and reporting
• Ability to write and explain strict procedures for sample collection/processing
• Comfort managing multiple projects with overlapping timelines
• Budget management and grant writing experience
• Ability to explain complex scientific principles to a variety of audiences
• Experience using email, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Teams, and online databases
• Competency in using Excel, GIS and R (or statistical software)
• Meticulous attention to detail in all aspects of data collection, analysis and reporting
• Ability to travel throughout the watershed with some overnights likely
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs., wade/swim in rivers, and stand/sit for long periods of time
• Basic Spanish language skills (preferred)

Starting salary range of $55,000 - $60,000. CRC…