Education and Outreach Specialist I (Master Recycler/Composter Program)

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Education and Outreach Specialist I (Master Recycler/Composter Program)

Salary
$2,177.00 – $2,896.00 Monthly
Location
Thurston County, WA
Job Type
Regular Part-Time Employee
Department
Resource Stewardship WSU/Ext.
Job Number
27R01357
Closing
9/12/2017 5:00 PM Pacific
Summary of Duties
Overall responsibilities include use of technical recycling/composting/gardening knowledge and skills in the implementation, revision, and coordination of programs. Implementing strategic planning efforts to build community awareness, education, and outreach activities.

Some essential functions include:

  • Help train, support and retain current volunteers. Including recognition events.
  • Assist Thurston County residents and community organizations with local recycling, composting and gardening resources.
  • Create educational materials and displays. Including developing workshops and trainings that teach environmentally-friendly practices and sustainable gardening, composting and recycling to community members.
  • Create marketing materials, update program websites, social media sites, and sites to maintain an internet presence.
  • Maintain volunteer and program records and databases. Help implement a new online volunteer management system.
  • Staff outreach booths, make presentations to community groups, and help coordinate community service projects.
  • Offer follow-up support to newly trained volunteers including: processing training benchmarks, helping volunteer’s access educational resources; sending out e-mail notifications; assisting with volunteer trainings and orientations etc.
  • Inventory, prepare, and put away program/event supplies.
  • Monitor and update statistical information and performance measures.
  • Conduct special projects and research.
  • Assist with functions sponsored by our non-profit fundraising arm, the Master Gardener Foundation of Thurston County.
  • Analyzes and interprets technical information and assists in developing new programs targeted to effectively reach appropriate audiences.
  • Use of social marketing and behavior change theory to develop specific strategies to identify and reach target groups to promote participation and awareness.
  • Provide consultation to community partners on revising/improving already established programs and curriculum. Conducts educational seminars, workshops, and “train the trainer” sessions in a group or individual setting.
  • Implements, revises, coordinates and evaluates outreach plans. Researches and drafts policies and procedures and contributes to preparation of grant proposals.
  • Gathers, catalogues, and tracks program-supporting information. Analyzes program effectiveness and identifies methods to improve programs and build public awareness.
  • Conducts research and identifies emerging and changing issues impacting program and makes recommendations to management for improvements. Evaluates programs and makes recommendations based on those evaluations.  Coordinates activities and efforts to maximize program success in the community.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.
This class specification reflects the general concept and intent of the classification and should not be construed as a detailed statement of all the work requirements that may be inherent in a position.
Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in education, public health, environmental health, environmental science, or other closely related field. Additional experience can be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.
  • Must have three years experience working in public health, environmental issues, or other related field promoting education, outreach, media campaign, public relations or other comparable experiences to successfully perform duties and responsibilities of the classification.
  • Must have the ability to utilize a personal computer with related software to perform the essential functions of the position.
  • Current Washington State Driver’s License or have requested and obtained an appropriate accommodation.
Desired Skills
We are especially interested in candidates who also have the following:
  • Experience leading and/or serving with volunteers.
  • Provide excellent customer service skills both internally and externally.
  • Is a self-starter with the ability to multi-task and achieve goals.
  • Ability to communicate clearly and concisely with the public and within all levels of the organization.
  • Excellent organizational and follow-up skills. Precise attention to detail strongly desired.
  • Are timely and dependable.
  • Flexible and strategic.
  • Can take direction as well as be self-directed.
  • Is creative but can also follow County and University policies.
  • Knowledge of local recycling procedures.
  • Experience composting, growing plants, food and/or other gardening practices in the Pacific Northwest.
Other Position Related Information
Questions Regarding This Recruitment? Please Contact:
Marie Sanders, Administrative Services Manager
360.786.5476 | sanderm@co.thurston.wa.us 

This position is:
–  Represented by a Union
–  Eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
–  Eligible for benefits

Items required for consideration:
– Application
– Letter of Interest
– Resume

Thurston County provides a comprehensive benefits package to all regular employees. The following is a brief summary of available benefits offered to county employees. Benefits are subject to change and may differ according to collective bargaining agreements. Plan documents and eligibility requirements are provided upon hire. This information is subject to change at anytime.

Health Care Benefits:
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Thurston County provides medical, dental, vision and life insurance coverage for all regular full-time employees enrolled in the County’s standard plans. For regular part-time employees, who work less than 75% of an FTE, the county pays a pro-rated portion of the cost for medical, dental, vision and life insurance.

Medical
Thurston County provides medical benefits through the Washington State’s Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB). Plan availability is based on county of residence. Each year the County determines the standard and non-standard plans. For standard plans, the County pays the full employee premium.

Dental
Dental plans are provided through the Washington Counties Insurance Fund (WCIF). Employees have the opportunity to choose between two plans, Delta Dental, a preferred provider plan or Willamette Dental, an HMO plan.

Vision
Thurston County employees have Vision Service Plan coverage through the Washington Counties Insurance Fund (WCIF). Employees also have additional vision coverage through their medical plan.

Life Insurance
The County provides each regular, full-time employee with a basic, term life plan of $36,000 life insurance and $36,000 accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage. Additional voluntary, supplemental life insurance and AD&D insurance is available as a payroll deduction.

Dependent Coverage
Eligible dependents may be added to all coverage listed above. Depending upon the bargaining unit, the County pays up to a specific maximum amount toward dependent coverage with the employee paying any amount above the County maximum contribution.

Pension Plans:
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Retirement
Eligible Thurston County employees participate in the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems’ pension plans (PERS, PSERS, or LEOFF). With the exception of PERS plan 3, all of these plans are “defined benefit” plans with retirement benefits based on your average compensation and earned service credits. PERS Plan 3 is a hybrid plan incorporating both “defined benefit” and “defined contribution” elements. These plans are funded by both employer and employee contributions.

Deferred Compensation
The County offers three voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan. Deferred compensation plans are 457 plans as defined by IRS regulations.

Holiday and Leave Programs:
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Paid Leave
Thurston County offers two leave plans, Alternative leave and Traditional leave. In the Alternative Leave program, leave is accrued monthly and may be used for vacation and/or sick leave purposes. Employees in the Traditional Leave program accrue both sick leave and annual leave each month.

Thurston County Observed Holidays
Ten paid holidays are observed by Thurston County. Regular employees receive one floating holiday and one Community Service Day each calendar year.

Other County Paid Benefits:
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Long Term Disability (LTD)
The county’s long term disability plan provides a monthly benefit of 60% of your monthly base salary up to $6,000 per month after a waiting period of 90 days of disability.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Employees and immediate family members are eligible to receive confidential, professional counseling assessment and referral services through First Choice Health.  The employee assistance program can assist and respond to all kinds of requests for counseling assessment and life concerns, such as, relationship concerns, family problems, alcohol and drug abuse problems, financial crisis, identification theft, general stress, caregiver burnout, depression, etc.  Services are available 24-hours per day, 7-days per week.

Additional Voluntary Benefits:
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Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses. Section 125 FSAs allow you to pay for allowable health-related and/or dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

Electronic Payroll Savings with TreasuryDirect
County employees can invest in TreasuryDirect electronic savings bonds (Series I and EE) by requesting a payroll deduction. Monthly deductions are forwarded to the Federal Reserve, which enables employees to buy and redeem electronic savings bonds directly from the United States Treasury Department.

Additional Benefits
The County also offers direct deposit, credit union memberships, a Commute Trip Reduction Program, and other miscellaneous benefits.

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Please click here for more information or visit the Thurston County Benefits website:  http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/hr/benefits/index.htm

Agency
Thurston County
Address
Thurston County
2000 Lakeridge Drive SW
Olympia, Washington, 98502.
Phone
(360) 786-5498