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Rainmaker is pioneering a modern precipitation enhancement cloud seeding system to solve water scarcity, combining radar validation, weather-resistant unmanned aircraft systems, and numerical weather modeling.
As Director of Water Development, you will own Rainmaker's strategic engagement with the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Reclamation. You will build the programs, partnerships, and funding pathways that deploy precipitation enhancement across the basins Reclamation manages, and you will cultivate the Congressional relationships and coalition presence that ensure the work's durability.
Key Responsibilities:
• Own Rainmaker's end-to-end relationship with DOI and Reclamation, including the Commissioner's office, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Water and Science, policy and program offices, and R&D divisions. Build durable relationships with senior career and political leadership, and understand decision authority distribution between Washington and regional offices.
• Identify and secure Reclamation authorities and funding vehicles supporting precipitation enhancement, including WaterSMART programs, drought response and resiliency authorities, Science and Technology funding, basin-specific and system conservation programs, cooperative agreements, and weather modification authorities. Own proposal development, submission, and follow-through.
• Maintain command of the statutory landscape governing Reclamation, develop legislative proposals and appropriations language, and pursue new authorities where existing ones fall short.
• Own relationships with the House Natural Resources and Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committees, the Energy and Water appropriations subcommittees, and Western delegations whose states and districts will benefit from projects. Prepare member- and staff-level briefing materials making the case for precipitation enhancement as federal water supply infrastructure.
• Partner closely with Rainmaker's State Government Affairs team to align federal authorities, funding, and relationships with state water agencies, districts, and basin bodies' objectives.
• Build direct relationships with Reclamation's regional and area offices, where projects are administered and practical decision-making on federal water operations occurs.
• Represent Rainmaker across the Washington water community, identify positive-sum opportunities on water policy where objectives align, and convert them into shared advocacy. Build the network of validators and allies that gives Rainmaker standing on these issues.
• Organize field demonstrations and site visits for Interior and Reclamation leadership, Congressional staff, state and basin officials, and water user groups to build first-hand understanding of the technology and its role in working water systems.
Requirements:
• 10+ years in Western water policy, natural resources policy, or federal government relations (examples: Interior or Reclamation experience, Congressional natural resources role, state or local water agency, water NGO, or government affairs at a comparable company).
• Thorough working knowledge of how DOI and Reclamation operate at both national and regional levels.
• In-depth command of Reclamation programs, authorities, and funding vehicles.
• Demonstrated command of Western water law and policy.
• Track record of developing projects and securing federal funding, including familiarity with federal grant, cooperative agreement, cost-share processes, and appropriations and authorization cycles.
• Current relationships across the Department of the Interior, Congressional natural resources and appropriations committees, and the Western water community.
• Working familiarity with the federal environmental compliance landscape.
• Ability to operate as both strategist and hands-on operator in a fast-paced startup environment, comfortable building a function from the ground up.
• Bachelor's degree required. Hydrology, engineering, or water resources background is a bonus.
• Must be based in DC with willingness and ability to travel domestically for Hill engagement, agency meetings, regional and area office visits, coalition work, and project site demonstrations.
