South Sound GREEN Watershed Educator
1 FTE, full-time permanent
$30,000 annually
and competitive benefit package
Application Deadline: August 21, 2019

Thurston Conservation District’s South Sound GREEN Program seeks a driven, creative educator with a passion for the natural world to support local teachers and students in water quality monitoring, habitat restoration and creating community connections leading to watershed protection.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:
South Sound Global Rivers Environmental Education Network (GREEN) has been connecting communities and schools for watershed protection for more than 27 years. Strengthening the thread of community service and inspiring a sense of place among youth and adults in their watershed is paramount in our mission, and we do so by uniting with a local network of diverse community partners, local school districts, teachers, students and community volunteers. We serve a team of more than 50 teachers and more than 1000 area youth who engage in our programs each year. The South Sound GREEN Watershed Educator fosters this sense of place and empowers students and adults to connect with their watershed, creating positive change through service learning projects and community action.

The South Sound GREEN Watershed Educator will serve in a well-established, place-based environmental education program housed at Thurston Conservation District. Through water quality sampling and data analysis, the Watershed Educator will split time between the classroom and field sites, often working outdoors at local Puget Sound beaches, marinas, wetlands, creeks, lakes and other outdoor learning environments. The Watershed Educator will engage students through water quality monitoring, nearshore experiences, restoration and other service learning projects, and through the Annual Student GREEN Congress where students will present and analyze data on more than 50 monitoring sites. He/she will assist teachers by increasing their skills and confidence with watershed education and assisting with teacher professional development opportunities.

Additionally, the Watershed Educator will coordinate volunteers, assist with water quality monitoring events twice per program year, plan and implement habitat enhancement projects, provide program outreach such as articles for the South Sound GREEN website and Thurston Conservation District’s newsletter, coordinate with program partners and facilitate service learning projects with classes to benefit their watershed.

The Watershed Educator will work closely with Thurston Conservation District’s Education and Outreach Coordinator to bring educational programs and hands-on conservation volunteer opportunities to youth and adults in Thurston County.

This position description represents a general outline of the job duties, essential functions and minimum qualifications and is not intended to be comprehensive in nature. Eligibility for this position is contingent upon the individual’s ability to perform the essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation. This position requires frequent sitting, standing, lifting up to 50 lbs., occasional travel and periodic evening and weekend work.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position is primarily designed to support the South Sound GREEN program and will work most closely with the South Sound GREEN Program Manager to do the following:

• Assist with all major elements of the South Sound GREEN program including, but not limited to, stormwater and water quality education and monitoring in both classroom and field settings; volunteer coordination; planning and implementation of the Annual Student GREEN Congress; planning and implementation of Nearshore/Marine field trips to the beaches of Puget Sound; direct engagement in service learning projects with students and teachers, to include habitat restoration, riparian enhancement, invasive species removal and more; planning and implementation of the annual Summer Institute for Teachers and other professional development opportunities for teachers;
• Develop curriculum, manage supplies, and track and evaluate programs; develop and deliver educational programs in personal areas of expertise;
• Connect and collaborate with local conservation partners to organize trainings and conduct volunteer projects;
• Create social media content and run social media campaigns for South Sound GREEN
• Follow all TCD policies and procedures; support other District events
• Complete other duties as assigned

The duties listed above are intended only as general illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. Specific statements of duties not included does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Job descriptions are subject to change by the District as the needs of the District and requirements of the job change.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience is a key requisite for this position. A minimum of an Associates or technical degree in biology, education, natural resources or related field, and a minimum of 1 year of related experience; OR, high school diploma with a minimum of three (3) years’ cumulative education and experience is required. Experience working with youth, coordinating events or projects, and general customer service is essential. We’re looking for someone with a positive, friendly, and professional attitude who is excited to work with and assist our team and interact with all members of our community.

• Demonstrated ability and interest in working with youth (elementary to high school aged).
• Solutions-oriented with the ability to effectively manage multiple projects and work activities with minimum supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and cooperatively with coworkers as well as with a diverse group of private landowners and stakeholders to solve resource management challenges.
• Strong organizational skills, detail oriented, and ability to complete projects on time and on budget.
• Strong interest in working directly with members of the public.
• Excellent written, verbal and computer-based communication skills.
• Experience utilizing Microsoft Suite software (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Publisher).
• Experience utilizing social media platforms to design, create, and share effective and eye-catching content that generates engagement (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, MailChimp, Canva, and Google Forms & Surveys).
• Must pass a background check for working with youth and in schools.
• Knowledge of or interest in water quality monitoring and Puget Sound.
• Valid WA State Driver’s License or ability to obtain one.

ADDITIONAL PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Familiarity with WordPress hosted websites.
• Experience with data tracking and database management.
• Experience with GIS

SCHEDULE & WORKING CONDITIONS:
This position is full-time, permanent non-exempt. Work will be performed in both office and field settings between 8am and 4:30pm, Monday-Friday and during weekends and evenings for special events and programs. Occasional local and out-of-town travel is possible.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
$30,000 Annually

The Thurston Conservation District observes eleven (11) paid holidays (including one personal holiday). Employees also accrue sick and vacation leave. Thurston CD employees participate in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Staff also has access to an additional voluntary retirement savings programs within the State of Washington’s Department of Retirement Systems – Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). The district offers medical, dental, vision and life insurance coverage at no cost to full time employees. Additional voluntary supplemental insurance opportunities are also available. Regular professional development opportunities are strongly encouraged and supported. This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees, AFSCME Council 28.

TO APPLY:
Please submit:

1. Resume
2. Cover letter
3. Three (3) professional references

Be sure to describe your interest and unique qualifications for the position and the skills that you bring to our entire conservation district team. Your cover letter is not to exceed two pages. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and interviews may begin prior to the application deadline.

Thurston Conservation District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please let us know if you need any accommodation to participate in the application process.

Applications due: August 21, 2019 by 4:30pm
Send electronically (please no paper copies) to: job-applications@thurstoncd.com
Please include: South Sound GREEN Program Assistant – YOUR NAME in the subject line.

We sincerely thank you for your interest in joining the work we do at Thurston Conservation District!