| Essential Duties and Responsibilities: |
The following are duties that are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required or assigned.
RiverWatch duties are as follows:
• Collect stream / water quality data from the field for use in determining biological trends for Illinois streams.
• Train and certify volunteers, referred to as Citizen Scientists, to collect high quality scientific data that will subsequently be used by professionals and the general public to gauge long-term trends in stream health, develop land management strategies, identify potentially degraded waters, and assess the effectiveness of restoration projects.
• Train Citizen Scientists to measure the intactness of the macroinvertebrate community, which is measured by the total number of taxa, total number of EPT (orders Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera) taxa, and Macroinvertebrate Biotic Index (MBI) scores.
• Compile and analyze data from all years of the Illinois RiverWatch Program for biological trends and significance.
• Use map-based analyses to determine distributions of specific taxa and to test for change over time across the state.
• Map trends in stream characteristics and the distributions of taxa and species of interest sampled by RiverWatch volunteers using Arc Map software.
• Maintain the RiverWatch database.
• Verify volunteer data sheets and ensure that data have been properly entered into the database. Monitor usage of RiverWatch data.
• Assist in development and execution of a strategic plan for the program.
• Coordinate the financial elements of the program, develop an annual budget, and maintain reliable financial records.
• Assist in development and execution of a year-round fundraising plan that includes grants, fundraisers, and corporate and major donor solicitations.
• Direct and oversee the work of volunteers and contractual employees including five RiverWatch trainers, quality assurance officer, and interns.
• Oversee all elements of volunteer administration including recruitment, training, retaining, support and recognition.
• Organize and conduct training workshops and open labs for volunteers.
• Conduct certification workshops for RiverWatch Contract Trainers
• Collaborate with local, state and federal government, academic institutions, nonprofits, and citizen groups to foster data sharing and facilitate projects and outreach activities related to water quality monitoring.
• Develop and implement strategies to ensure that professionals such as scientists, water quality professionals, community leaders, and those with local, state and federal government, academic, and nonprofit institutions use RiverWatch data to assist in watershed planning, and water quality research and policy.
• Maintain an up-to-date, comprehensive database of contact information for RiverWatch volunteers, network groups, donors, and partners.
• Produce and oversee the production of RiverWatch publications including the newsletter, brochures, website, quality assurance report, data analysis report, and all other program documents.
• Conduct presentations at
• Evaluate progress and prepare an annual report of activities and accomplishments.
• Assist with other NGRREC education programs as requested.
Environmental Educator duties are as follows:
• Assists with environmental education programs and events as needed, delivering programs and hosting educational booths at festivals, conferences, resource fairs, and other events.
• Maintain additional Environmental Education program databases (grant tracking, people served, etc.).
• Work as part of the NGRREC environmental education team to host events, assist with general programming, and provide support for other educators.
• Oversee and work effectively with volunteers, per diem educators, and interns.
• Assist and maintain the environmental education web pages.
• Assist with other NGRREC duties as assigned.
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| Minimum Qualifications: |
Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions
SKILLS REQUIRED
• MS in the field of natural resources or other related fields required.
• Highly motivated, creative, organized, experienced individual who wants to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Experience in community-based outreach education with one to three years teaching in formal or non-formal environment is highly desired. Experience with a broad range of ages desirable.
• Experience with project and personnel management.
• Familiarity with concepts associated with streams and watersheds, water quality standards, sampling procedures, and aquatic macroinvertebrates.
• Excellent writing, presentations, and public relations skills.
• Proven grant writing and fundraising experience.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Must exhibit independent judgment in the development, implementation and evaluation of programs and plans.
• Requires statewide travel. Must be willing to work weekends and evenings as needed.
• Must be able to lift 25 pounds.
• Proficiency in the use of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and willingness to learn new computer applications.
• Proficiency developing and using relational database software such as Microsoft Access and MySQL
• Familiarity with statistical analysis for scientific reporting
• Familiarity with ArcMap geospatial analysis procedures
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