Mid-Atlantic Save Our Streams (SOS) Coordinator

Gaithersburg, MD, United States

Please review the How to Apply section for application instructions.

23 Jan 2024

Full-Time Mid-Atlantic Save Our Streams (SOS) Coordinator The mission of the Izaak Walton League of America (IWLA), founded in 1922, is to conserve, restore, and promote the sustainable use and enjoyment of our natural resources, including soil, air, woods, waters, and wildlife. Our members and staff combine hands-on conservation action, policy work with legislatures and resource agencies, and public education to pursue our conservation goals at the local, state and national levels. As a strong responsible voice representing outdoor recreationists, we occupy a special niche in the conservation community.

SUMMARY OF POSITION

Working under the direction of the Clean Water Program Director, the Mid-Atlantic Save Our Streams (SOS) Coordinator is primarily responsible for coordinating, training, and mobilizing a regional network of volunteer stream monitors using the Virginia Save Our Streams (VA SOS) /Chesapeake Monitoring Cooperative (CMC) programs. The Coordinator will train and support volunteer monitors, regional trainers, and program leaders in the Mid-Atlantic region. Additionally, the Coordinator will oversee aspects of the national Salt Watch and Nitrate Watch programs, including the mailing of test kits, promotion at regional events, and communication with volunteers. The Coordinator will contribute to communications efforts designed to foster an interconnected network of volunteer stream monitors across the Mid-Atlantic.

LOCATION OF POSITION

This position is based in Gaithersburg, Maryland, with the opportunity for up to two days a week hybrid. Because this position includes training and outreach, some travel (8-12 trips a year) is expected throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Recruit, train and support Izaak Walton League members, partner organizations and community volunteers to serve as certified VASOS/CMC water quality and Salt Watch/Nitrate Watch monitors.

Coordinate and conduct in-person and online events across the Mid-Atlantic to recruit and train existing and new VA SOS trainers.

Communicate regularly and frequently with volunteer monitors, watershed organizations, and others to support local SOS and Salt Watch/Nitrate Watch stream monitoring efforts and foster an interconnected network of volunteer monitors regionally.

Oversee the quality assurance of the field methodologies, protocol comprehension, and proper safety and equipment cleaning practices to produce data that is reliable and valid while minimizing stream site disturbance by auditing volunteer trainers and quality assuring submitted VA SOS data.

Analyze water quality trends, monitoring sites, and frequency of monitoring and compile those results to communicate to water monitoring stakeholders, the public, and press.

Quality assure and submit data to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the CMC Data Explorer.

Develop content for IWLA Web site, social media, press outreach, and publications, including Outdoor America

Collaborate with IWLA communications staff to proactively communicate volunteer monitoring results and data to various audiences, including press, partner organizations, and volunteer monitors.

Identify and facilitate opportunities for using VASOS, Salt Watch, and Nitrate Watch water quality data to advocate for League clean water policies and goals.

Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in environmental education, natural resources management, natural sciences, or related field.

Proven knowledge of stream monitoring techniques, macroinvertebrate identification, and field equipment used for water quality monitoring.

Two years of experience directly coordinating volunteers engaged in water quality monitoring or other community science activity.

Demonstrated experience in environmental education, volunteer management, community outreach, water quality assessment, and stream monitoring.

Experience with public speaking and providing engaging training workshops.

Demonstrated ability to work independently and to organize and manage multiple tasks and set priorities.

Ability to work in Microsoft Excel for data management purposes.

Experience managing simple datasets in ArcGIS and ArcGIS online.

Possess a valid state-issued driver’s license and own a car for travel (or have the ability to provide transportation for self and equipment to regional meetings/trainings).

Ability and willingness to travel including for multiple days consecutively and overnight.

Fluency (oral and written) in Spanish is a plus.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The salary range for the Mid-Atlantic SOS Coordinator is $42,000 to $45,000 annually and commensurate with experience and qualifications. The position also includes a package of employee and health benefits.

How to Apply Job Description ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE

The mission of the Izaak Walton League of America (IWLA), founded in 1922, is to conserve, restore, and promote the sustainable use and enjoyment of our natural resources, including soil, air, woods, waters, and wildlife. Our members and staff combine hands-on conservation action, policy work with legislatures and resource agencies, and public education to pursue our conservation goals at the local, state and national levels. As a strong responsible voice representing outdoor recreationists, we occupy a special niche in the conservation community.

SUMMARY OF POSITION

Working under the direction of the Clean Water Program Director, the Mid-Atlantic Save Our Streams (SOS) Coordinator is primarily responsible for coordinating, training, and mobilizing a regional network of volunteer stream monitors using the Virginia Save Our Streams (VA SOS) /Chesapeake Monitoring Cooperative (CMC) programs. The Coordinator will train and support volunteer monitors, regional trainers, and program leaders in the Mid-Atlantic region. Additionally, the Coordinator will oversee aspects of the national Salt Watch and Nitrate Watch programs, including the mailing of test kits, promotion at regional events, and communication with volunteers. The Coordinator will contribute to communications efforts designed to foster an interconnected network of volunteer stream monitors across the Mid-Atlantic.

LOCATION OF POSITION

This position is based in Gaithersburg, Maryland, with the opportunity for up to two days a week hybrid. Because this position includes training and outreach, some travel (8-12 trips a year) is expected throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Recruit, train and support Izaak Walton League members, partner organizations and community volunteers to serve as certified VASOS/CMC water quality and Salt Watch/Nitrate Watch monitors.

Coordinate and conduct in-person and online events across the Mid-Atlantic to recruit and train existing and new VA SOS trainers.

Communicate regularly and frequently with volunteer monitors, watershed organizations, and others to support local SOS and Salt Watch/Nitrate Watch stream monitoring efforts and foster an interconnected network of volunteer monitors regionally.

Oversee the quality assurance of the field methodologies, protocol comprehension, and proper safety and equipment cleaning practices to produce data that is reliable and valid while minimizing stream site disturbance by auditing volunteer trainers and quality assuring submitted VA SOS data.

Analyze water quality trends, monitoring sites, and frequency of monitoring and compile those results to communicate to water monitoring stakeholders, the public, and press.

Quality assure and submit data to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the CMC Data Explorer.

Develop content for IWLA Web site, social media, press outreach, and publications, including Outdoor America

Collaborate with IWLA communications staff to proactively communicate volunteer monitoring results and data to various audiences, including press, partner organizations, and volunteer monitors.

Identify and facilitate opportunities for using VASOS, Salt Watch, and Nitrate Watch water quality data to advocate for League clean water policies and goals.

Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in environmental education, natural resources management, natural sciences, or related field.

Proven knowledge of stream monitoring techniques, macroinvertebrate identification, and field equipment used for water quality monitoring.

Two years of experience directly coordinating volunteers engaged in water quality monitoring or other community science activity.

Demonstrated experience in environmental education, volunteer management, community outreach, water quality assessment, and stream monitoring.

Experience with public speaking and providing engaging training workshops.

Demonstrated ability to work independently and to organize and manage multiple tasks and set priorities.

Ability to work in Microsoft Excel for data management purposes.

Experience managing simple datasets in ArcGIS and ArcGIS online.

Possess a valid state-issued driver’s license and own a car for travel (or have the ability to provide transportation for self and equipment to regional meetings/trainings).

Ability and willingness to travel including for multiple days consecutively and overnight.

Fluency (oral and written) in Spanish is a plus.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The salary range for the Mid-Atlantic SOS Coordinator is $42,000 to $45,000 annually and commensurate with experience and qualifications. The position also includes a package of employee and health benefits.

How to Apply HOW TO APPLY: Email cover letter and resume to the attention of the Clean Water Program Director, Samantha Puckett: [email protected] with subject line MID-ATLANTIC SAVE OUR STREAMS COORDINATOR. Please submit all materials no later than January 31, 2024 . No phone calls please. Job Categories: Water . Job Types: Full-Time . Job Tags: database , education , GIS , monitoring , Outreach , water , and water quality . Salaries: 40,000 - 60,000 .

Job expires in 4 days .

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