About Yuba Water Agency
Established in 1959, the Yuba Water Agency is a stand-alone public agency governed by a board of seven elected officials to serve the people of Yuba County. The agency owns and operates the Yuba River Development Project, which includes New Bullards Bar, Log Cabin, and Our House dams. Water released from New Bullards Bar travels to the New Colgate and Narrows I and II powerhouses, where it is used to generate renewable, carbon-free electricity. Nestled in the beautiful foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, the Yuba River Development Project significantly reduces flood risk and ensures a reliable water supply for the people of Yuba County.
Each year, millions of dollars of the revenue earned from sales of hydropower and water are reinvested in the county, through projects and grants to provide local resources and support community development and improvement projects. The Agency also makes significant financial investments to improve the natural fisheries of the Yuba River, and to educate the public about water and fisheries issues. Just a few examples of contributions made by Yuba Water Agency include the following:
- Funded the local cost-share of improvements to the Feather River Setback Levee, leveraging more than $400 million in federal and state investment.
- Partnered with several other agencies and organizations on a major Yuba River ecosystem enhancement project, improving 157 acres of seasonal floodplain to increase available salmon habitat and reduce flood risk.
- Committed $10 million in forest restoration efforts, leveraging another $78 million in state and federal funds to reduce fire risk for our foothill communities and protect the water supply and quality in the Yuba River watershed.
- Supporting the local cost share of major water and wastewater infrastructure improvements in South Yuba County to enable a regional water system project.
- Partnered with local teachers to create K-12 science curriculum for Yuba County schools that meets state standards, all based on the Yuba River watershed.
Description
Hybrid – Remote and Marysville, CA
Are you passionate about investing in the future of a small community and working with local partners toward leveraging grant opportunities? Do you bring creativity, initiative, and a deep understanding of the people, history, and culture that make Yuba County unique? If you’re a self-starter with strong ties to the community — someone who can be both assertive and easy to work with — we want to meet you!
As the Grants Program Manager, you will manage many projects aimed at assisting partnering districts, agencies and non-profits, all who serve the people of Yuba County in Yuba Water’s various mission areas. You will also be the primary point of contact for partners seeking agency support toward fulfilling their mission objectives, and perform management-level grant administration, policy development, strategic direction, as well as assisting partners in seeking additional outside grant funds.
Under general direction, with the support of subject matter experts, the Grants Program Manager is responsible for planning, organizing, and managing the strategic direction and daily administration of the Agency’s community outreach grants programs and finding ways to assist Yuba Water’s partners. This role offers autonomy to be innovative and creative, developing new pathways to help grantees succeed while serving as the Agency’s primary liaison to community partners and funding entities.
serving as the Agency’s primary liaison to community partners and funding entities.
The ideal candidate is someone who truly knows Yuba County — its strengths, its challenges, and its opportunities — and who thrives on building authentic, productive relationships. We are looking for someone with a high degree of professional judgement, initiative and accountability, as well as the ability to embrace Yuba Water Agency’s core mission areas in creating opportunities toward improving life in Yuba County.
If you are looking for an innovative, forward-thinking agency where you will have exceptional opportunities to advance your career, take on exciting projects, and be a part of a dynamic team, then this is a great match for you! Give me a call if you want to discuss details and the potential for upward mobility soon!
Some key initiatives you’ll work on:
- Managing dozens of existing grant projects with local irrigation districts, reclamation districts, municipal water suppliers, and other community and first responder organizations.
- Working with Yuba Water’s partners to help them develop capital improvement plans to help provide Agency leadership with a better understanding surrounding future needs.
- Further development of Yuba Water’s acclaimed community outreach grant program, including policy and long-term strategy.
- The development and implementation of internal grants management tools.
- Simplifying and streamlining and standardizing the ways partners apply for assistance from Yuba Water.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will bring an innovative attitude that can leverage local relationships while being results-oriented, flexible to change, and customer-service-focused. The successful candidate will enjoy a high level of autonomy, along with no shortage of unique challenges, ultimately measured by a demonstrated ability to assist with programs that serve the people of Yuba County.
The Grants Program Manager will also need to develop a strong understanding of Yuba Water’s core mission areas and the needs of the Agency’s many partners. The position requires strong interpersonal skills and the confidence to take initiative while maintaining a highly collaborative and approachable style. You should be comfortable leading conversations, thinking strategically, and representing the Agency with professionalism and heart.
The ideal candidate will be or can quickly immerse themselves into local networks, ensuring the agency stays up to date on the latest needs in flood risk reduction, water supply and watershed health, and implement more effective processes and systems where there is an opportunity to do so.
The Agency is eager to find a unique professional who comes to understand a wide variety of connections and partners, and who can successfully pioneer this new position to accomplish Yuba Water’s mission objectives.
Minimum Qualifications: Education/Training
Yuba Water Agency recognizes that access to formal education varies widely. Relevant professional experience, community leadership, or lived experience may be considered in lieu of the formal education requirements listed below.
Education/Training:
Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in accounting, business administration, public administration, project management or a related field.
Experience:
Four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in overseeing and managing grants programs. Finance, budgeting and/or accounting experience in the public sector is desirable, as is engineering or technical experience in the development and implementation of capital improvement projects.
License or Certificate:
None
Benefits
The annual salary range for the Grants Program Manager is $137,201.99 -$166,769.87. Actual salary will be based on the experience and qualifications of the successful candidate. In addition, the agency offers an attractive benefits package that includes:
- 2025 Health Insurance rates: 1-party is $991.78, 2-party is $1,983.56, and 3+party is $2,628.22 per month. Any premiums in excess of these amounts shall be paid by the employee.
- Dental: 100% paid coverage for employee and dependents
- Vision: 100% paid coverage for employee and dependents
- Vacation: Accrued at 12.6 hours per calendar month and increases with years of service
- Sick Leave: Accrued at 10 hours per calendar month
- Holidays: 12 official holidays per year
- Retirement: CalPERS: For classic members 2% @ 55 formula and the agency will pay 5% of the employee’s 7% contribution to CalPERS. For all others, subject to the provisions of AB340 with a 2%@ 62 formula
- Retiree health through the agency upon completion of ten (10) years of service credit with the agency and retirement from CalPERS. The agency’s present contribution for each annuitant, including enrollment of his/her family members, is a maximum of $2,000 per month.
- Deferred Compensation: Voluntary participation in Agency Plans. The agency will contribute 7.65% amount towards the plan.
- Life Insurance: $100,000
- Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) with Agency contribution of $600/year
- Flexible Spending Medical / Dependent Care Accounts available with pre-tax payroll contributions
- Educational/training tuition reimbursement available
Special Instructions
Applications will be screened according to the qualifications outlined in this announcement. Not all applications which may meet the minimum requirements will proceed to the next phase of the recruitment process. All applicants will be notified by email as to whether or not they are invited to participate further in the selection process.
The Yuba Water Agency is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We will make reasonable efforts in the selection process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please contact Laken Schattner at (530) 741-5030 prior to the recruitment closing date for accommodation requests.
Before receiving an offer of employment, the candidate must pass a thorough reference check, and background check.
Applicants must be successful in all phases of the selection process to be considered for this position.
In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, all potential employees are required to provide proof of U.S. Citizenship or authorization to work in the United States.
Recruitment Timeline
The final date to apply is December 15, 2025. To be considered for this exciting and rewarding career opportunity, please submit your resume and cover letter. Resumes should reflect years and months of positions held.
Preliminary screening interviews, with the most qualified applicants, will be conducted the week of December 15th. Next steps which may include but are not limited to testing and/or panel interviews, will be determined by the number of qualified applicants received and will be conducted the week of January 5th.
Recruitment Contact
Contact phone:
(530) 701-8674
Laken Schattner, HR Specialist
lschattner@yubawater.org