Water Quality Education Specialist- Part Time

Essential Functions

• Develops a public education and outreach program to inform citizens about the impacts polluted storm water runoff can have on water quality and ways they can minimize their impact on storm water quality as directed by the MS4 Coordinator.
• Provides opportunities for public participation and involvement in the storm water quality education program.
• Develops educational materials and carries out activities aimed at educating all sectors of the public about various water resource and water quality issues.
• Provides presentations and water quality information and outreach at fairs, festivals, expos, workshops and to community organizations, businesses, schools, residents, teachers and other agencies.
• Develops and provides public service announcements, website information, and news articles on water quality topics and has a presence within social media outlets for educating users on water quality issues and activities.
• Supports education and training efforts for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) entities regarding regulatory requirements for Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination, Construction and Post Construction, and Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping Minimum Control Measures.
• Helps provide data for MS4 Coordinator’s annual report outlining the activities accomplished during the course of each year to satisfy the MS4 regulatory requirements.
• Keeps elected officials and supervisors updated on the activities and programs accomplished including meeting annual reporting requirements to MS4 regulatory agencies.
• Develops and implements a program for educating public employees, schools, businesses, and the general public about illicit discharges and proper disposal of waste.
• Performs research on water resource and water quality issues and attends trainings and conferences as required.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degrees in Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Public Relations/Communications, Education, Journalism or related field and field work experience
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and the ability to create brochures and educational materials
• Strong presentation and training skills
• Strong computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), web design software and related software to perform website administration
• Specialized knowledge of the principles and practices of public information correspondence, including the ability to write news releases, public service announcements and speeches
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with media, community organizations, and residents
• Strong organizational and time management skills and the ability to work independently
• Knowledge of water quality related issues and local, state and federal water quality regulatory requirements
• Valid Indiana driver’s license for operating county-owned vehicle

Performance Expectations

• The Water Quality Education Specialist performs work that consists of duties, restricted in scope but of substantial intricacy, involving several variables or considerations when writing acceptable and comprehensible water quality educational materials for the public.
• It is essential for the education specialist to possess the capability of communicating with the public in a manner that is understandable and enlightening to help change constituents’ mindsets and attitudes about their responsibility to help keep local waterways as clean and free of pollutants as possible.

Responsibility

• The Water Quality Education Specialist makes choices and takes actions in performing a variety of tasks when developing and carrying out activities aimed at educating all sectors of the public about various water resources and water quality issues.

Personal Work Relationships

• The Water Quality Education Specialist has regular contact with representatives of business and community organizations, government agencies and the general public while exchanging information and maintaining coordination with the MS4 Coordinator and the Director of the Department of Environmental Management.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

• The Water Quality Education Specialist works in an office environment, and sometimes outdoors, requiring sitting, standing and some walking.
• Some lifting (up to 40 pounds), bending, pushing/pulling loads, reaching overhead and kneeling, as well as some typing, monitoring equipment, detailed inspection and frequent attention to detail and transcription/proofreading required.