Water Quality Monitoring Program and Community Outreach Director

The WQM Program + Community Outreach Director is part of a small yet strong team that champions the resurgence of the Mill Creek watershed.  The WQM Director ensures that our water quality monitoring (WQM) program runs smoothly and that the information learned from the program can be used in telling the Mill Creek story. The WQM program offers MCA the opportunity to connect with the communities throughout the watershed and the leader of this program is uniquely positioned to build relationships among constituents by driving our community outreach goals. In addition, this staff member engages, organizes, and manages the large number of volunteers who support the WQM and all other MCA programs. 

Title: Water Quality Monitoring (WQM) Program + Community Outreach Director

SUMMARY: 

The WQM Program + Community Outreach Director is part of a small yet strong team that champions the resurgence of the Mill Creek watershed.  The WQM Director ensures that our water quality monitoring (WQM) program runs smoothly and that the information learned from the program can be used in telling the Mill Creek story. The WQM program offers MCA the opportunity to connect with the communities throughout the watershed and the leader of this program is uniquely positioned to build relationships among constituents by driving our community outreach goals. In addition, this staff member engages, organizes, and manages the large number of volunteers who support the WQM and all other MCA programs. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Water Quality Specialist

• Manage Mill Creek Alliance Monthly Saturday WQM Program:
• Recruit and retain WQM volunteers (water samplers and lab analysts). 
• Manage volunteers (find, orient, schedule, document, communicate, appreciate, etc.).
• Conduct online and in-person training and registration Jan/Feb/March, before sampling season begins.
• Maintain inventory of supplies and equipment.  
• Oversee sampling and lab analysis, equipment maintenance & purchase, and update lab SOPs as needed.
• Conduct and oversee post-event data management and sharing (i.e., updating spreadsheets and maps).
• Review/revise/submit QAAP with OEPA annually.  Assure program compliance with the QAAP
• Train and retain OEPA Level II Credible Data Certified volunteers; conduct/facilitate OEPA Level II Credible Data training/certification program for volunteers (1 per year).
• Periodic review of MCA sampling/monitoring locations (in collaboration with MCA staff, local and regional governmental agencies).  Produce an annual site map (for print and web publication).

• Manage Blue Team Lab Leaders/Interns
• Collaborate with the Education Director to hire, train, manage, and supervise 1-2 interns who assist with the WQM program. Guide meaningful college level intern experiences (& supervise progress).
• Train interns to facilitate monthly WQM events and process the resulting data collected.
• Coordinate with interns and staff for activities at other MCA events.

• Analyze & Share Water Quality Data with the public
• Work with current and new partners to identify best practices for performing statistical analysis and sharing data
• Develop maps and other visual images to share data with the public, with other programs within the organization, and in other new ways
• Organize State of the Mill Creek Address, an annual presentation held each spring, that shares the data/results of the WQM program with the public. Include presentations by professionals, community partners, and/or volunteers and Blue Team interns. 
• Engage watershed communities and create new programs toward cleaner water and environmental stewardship.  
• Recruiting volunteers to be stewards of the creek.

• Provide water quality (chemistry) technical support to all MCA programs and activities as needed.

Volunteer & Community Outreach Specialist

• Conduct Outreach and Public Engagement
• Explore the needs of citizens and communities in the 37 jurisdictions within the watershed and find ways to engage.
• Attend community events and meetings to build relationships, learn about community needs, educate the public about the Mill Creek, and recruit new volunteers. This includes general agency tabling as well as attending local government meetings
• Work with staff and Board committee members to facilitate and support outreach events.
• Organize and manage promotional materials and engagement opportunities

• Manage MCA volunteer engagement
• Recruit volunteers, orient and support the volunteer experiences, assign volunteers to programs/staff, and find creative ways to express gratitude and hospitality
• Attend to incoming requests for volunteer engagement (WQM, Adopt-a-Spot, Mill Creek Yacht Club, Education, etc.). Communicate with interested volunteers and guide them through the process of getting involved. 
• Work with MCA staff to manage program volunteer needs.
• Design and document volunteer engagement using data management systems
  
  

Performs all other related duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

EDUCATION / WORK EXPERIENCE:

• Education or experience in water quality analysis, statistics/data manipulation, and chemistry
• Expertise in maintenance and use of laboratory equipment for water quality
• Ability to obtain/retain OEPA Level II/III Qualified Data Collector Certification in Chemical Water Quality Assessment and/or cQHEI training and certification
• Experience with ArcGIS is highly desirable.
• Program management and supervision of interns.  Ability to work independently
• Experience with volunteer recruitment and retention 
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite, Google Workspace, and other database/CRM systems 
• Interest and ability to connect with people and communities

COMPENSATION AND HOURS

This is a full-time (40 hours per week) exempt position (at-will). Office hours are flexible between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Evening and weekend hours are required for this position.  We offer a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, federal holidays off; health insurance, flexible spending account, cell phone reimbursement, and an optional SIMPLE IRA.  Salary, wages, and benefits offered are based on a detailed rubric in order to assure equitable pay based on responsibility, education, experience, and history with the organization.  Employees are paid twice a month 

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESSES

Applicants must submit cover letter, resume, and three professional references to David J. Schmitt at dschmitt@themillcreekalliance.org.