The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) is a political subdivision of the State of Ohio organized in 1933 to develop and implement a plan to reduce the effects of flooding and conserve water for beneficial public uses under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 6101 (commonly called the Conservancy Act).

The MWCD mission statement reads as follows: Responsible stewards dedicated to providing the benefits of flood reduction, conservation, and recreation in the Muskingum River Watershed.

The MWCD is the largest conservancy district in the state and led the effort to construct 14 dams and reservoirs. Two others were built later, and the system of dams and reservoirs has been credited by the federal government with saving an estimated $8 billion worth of potential damage from flooding since its original construction in the 1930s.

The MWCD has jurisdiction for its operations in all or portions of an 18-county area (over 6,000 square miles). The 18 counties wholly or partially contained in the MWCD jurisdiction are Ashland, Belmont, Carroll, Coshocton, Guernsey, Harrison, Holmes, Knox, Licking, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Richland, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas, Washington, and Wayne.

The MWCD is looking to fill one (1) vacancy on our Board of Appraisers (BOA) in the spring/summer of 2023.  A general overview of the position is as follows:

• BOA consists of 3 board members.  We currently have 1 vacancy we are hoping to fill.
• BOA members must reside in 1 of the 18 counties within the MWCD.  Counties include Ashland, Belmont, Carroll, Coshocton, Guernsey, Harrison, Holmes, Knox, Licking, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Richland, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas, Washington, and Wayne.
• Timeline of appointment:

• Interview with MWCD (April 2023).
• Board of Directors meeting to confirm candidate and make recommendation to Conservancy Court (May 2023).
• Conservancy Court confirmation (June 2023).

• BOA standard term of appointment is 5 years.
• BOA meetings usually 3-4 times a year, sometimes more as needed.
• Weigh in on sales and purchase of real estate, marinas, and other big-ticket items, and make recommendations to the Board of Directors where appropriate.
• MWCD typically secures independent appraisals for various projects/transactions for review and comment by BOA.
• Annual review of cottage site lease rates; staff does thorough analysis.
  • Cost Of Living (CPI Index) automatic
  • Discretionary Adjustment 0-4%
  • Target 5% ROI

• Assistance with cottage site reappraisal process/methodology (ongoing in 2023).
• Encroachments
• Compensation
  • Two hundred dollars ($200) per meeting
  • Incidental expenses
  • $50 per hour for any additional time outside of the normal meetings of the Board

• Additional fees to be approved by the Executive Director (upon itemized statement submitted and certified by the appraiser).

Interested parties are asked to complete and an application form (click here for form) along with optional resume and letter of interest to the attention of Brad Janssen by March 21, 2023.