Community Conservation Specialist-Lake Stevens, WA

Organization: Snohomish Conservation District

Position Title: Community Conservation Specialist

Location: Lake Stevens, WA

Hours and Compensation: Salary range: $41,000-$60,000 depending on experience. Permanent, full-time, with benefits

Application Deadline: This position will remain open until: Wednesday, December 11th at 4:30 p.m.

Description

The position of Community Conservation Specialist has been developed to expand and implement the District’s activities to address a wide variety of resource concerns in the urban and residential areas of Snohomish County and Camano Island.  Resource concerns for the position are primarily stormwater management.  Secondary concerns may include backyard habitat, Native Growth Protection Areas, urban farming and urban forestry.  Funding for this position is subject to availability of state and local government grants and contracts and a county wide assessment.  The person hired for this position is directly responsible to the Community Conservation Team, and works under the technical supervision of the Professional Engineer.

Responsibilities

The primary responsibility for this position will be managing the wide variety of projects associated with the Community Conservation Team.  Project management includes partner coordination, management of subcontractors, management of grants and contracts, billing and financial administration, management of educational efforts and workshops, and construction coordination and supervision.

Additional responsibilities will include Low Impact Development onsite technical assistance and education to homeowners within Snohomish County, the development of outreach material and drafting technical assistance plans and letters for local homeowners and organizations.

Duties and activities include but are not limited to the following:

• Ability to manage a project and project team, and to effectively implement projects on time and on budget.
• Plan and coordinate workshops, update and create new presentations as necessary and present at frequent evening and weekend events.
• Project planning, scheduling, billing and oversight.
• Provide regular financial and project progress reports to project cooperators and grant providers.  Update progress in an Access database.
• Provide landowners with sound technical assistance through site analyses, design and implementation documents, and outreach. Assist in preparing permit applications and securing funding where applicable. Assist professional engineers in preparing preliminary designs, final designs, construction drawings, and construction specifications for complex structures. Incumbent will lay out work for construction, provide necessary interpretations of the drawings and specifications needed to determine conformance, perform inspections and troubleshoot.
• Conduct field investigations, surveys and monitoring needed in the development of conservation practices for structural and non-structural solutions to problems with water quality, erosion, drainage, and irrigation.
• Assist in developing educational materials.
• Conducting door to door and phone surveys.
• Assist in preparing grant applications for new and on-going district programs.
• Attend regular conservation district board meetings and other local, area and state meetings as needed.
• Attend local, state and national training sessions and workshops related to skills development.
• Serve as an incidental motor vehicle operator, requiring operation of a motor vehicle on both public and private roads during daylight and occasionally after dark.  A valid WA State driver’s license is required.
• Assist with the annual district plant sale.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

This position requires at least three years of experience in planning, project management, budgeting and financial management, natural resource management, communications, and/or education and outreach and a Bachelor’s degree in a compatible field of study.  This position requires the following skills:

• Knowledge of a broad range of soil and water conservation principles, techniques, methods and practices to apply and install conservation systems which involve complex and diverse LID practices and other land uses principles.
• Knowledge of a broad range of LID and engineering principles.
• Knowledge of planting varieties native to Western Washington.
• Knowledge of drainage and water conveyance principles.
• Ability to motivate individuals to adopt and implement resource management practices on their property.  This may include speaking in front of public groups, organizations, or clubs.
• Knowledge and skills in computer use for word processing, database creation and maintenance, spreadsheets, AutoCAD, scheduling, GIS, PowerPoint, and other uses as they arise.  Ability above data entry level is required.
• Creativity and adaptability related to event planning and outreach activities.
• Flexibility and willingness to take on multiple projects.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle safely to and from the field.
• Ability to work in the field on various terrains and under various conditions.
• Ability to work alone or closely with others in a public office environment.
• Ability to organize and plan own schedule of activities related to work goals set by the District Manager.
• Ability to maintain accurate records regarding time-keeping and authorized expenses.
• Other desirable skills: SA certified arborist, proficiency in ArcMap, community involvement and volunteering experience, familiarity with water and energy conservation programs, incentives and solutions for the public.

How to Apply

Application can be found at conservation district website www.snohomishcd.org under Employment, or at the District office.  Applicants must provide a cover letter (outlining job skills and qualifications), a completed application form, a résumé, a sample of work relevant to the position (publication, project write-up, design, press release, etc.) and three professional references.

Applicant should submit the material for this position to:

Snohomish Conservation District Attention Kate Riley 528 – 91st Ave NE Lake Stevens WA  98258-2538

For more information, contact:

[email protected] 425-335-5634 extension 119 425-335-5024 fax

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