SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — Tahoe Resource Conservation District was awarded $293,000 from the California Department of Conservation to fund a watershed coordinator for the Lake Tahoe Basin.

The watershed coordinator will work with partnering agencies to address water quality and natural resource issues within the Lake Tahoe watershed through collaborative, community-based watershed management efforts. The watershed coordinator will also focus on expanding conservation partnerships aimed at increasing public participation in environmental improvement and conservation projects.

“There are a multitude of local agencies and projects working to improve water quality and restore environmental conditions within the Tahoe Basin, but coordinating these efforts can be very challenging,” said Eben Swain, Manager of the Watershed Resources Program. “The watershed coordinator will work to enhance the coordination amongst partnering agencies, further the development of public and private partnerships and increase awareness of critical water and conservation issues facing the Tahoe Basin.”

This position is expected to be filled by the spring of 2011. Interested applicants should visit TahoeRCD.org for this and other employment opportunities.

Tahoe RCD was selected to receive funding for the watershed coordinator following a very competitive grant process, in part because the position is an excellent match for the work of resource conservation districts. Conservation districts focus on local conservation issues, are able to work and manage programs across jurisdictional boundaries, and are experienced with coordinating various stakeholders, including federal, state and local agencies and the general public. Out of 41 watershed coordinator positions funded across California in 2011, almost half of these funds have been awarded to conservation districts.