Position Title:                                          Community Outreach Specialist

Hours:                                                       Full Time

Expected Hiring Range:                          $59,000- $68,000 /year (Full Salary Range: $59,000-$86,000) compensation commensurate with experience

Status:                                                       Exempt (FLSA)                         

Location:                                                  4646 Dakota Street SE, Prior Lake, MN 55372

Key Responsibilities and Duties:

Communications, Education & Outreach Program (70%)

Lead the education and outreach program. 

• Manage education and outreach programs, initiatives, partnerships and report progress to the District Administrator.
• Lead District public education events, such as site tours, informational booths, or classroom/youth camp presentations.
• Write articles and press releases on District projects, events, and other educational topics. Create social media content to increase awareness of District efforts. Create visual tools (graphics, maps, etc) to communicate water resources messages and priorities.
• Operate as staff liaison to the Community Advisory Committee and facilitate committee’s operations.
• Function as PLSLWD’s liaison to the Scott Clean Water Education Program (SCWEP), administered by Scott Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD).
• Manage the District’s website to reflect current and accurate information about the District’s efforts and priorities and comply with ADA requirements.
• Prepare District’s annual report and Education and Outreach Plan.
• Facilitate community monitoring of ice-on, ice-off and CAMP sampling program: determine sites, coordinate with Met Council and volunteers, pick-up and drop-off of samples.

Project Management (10%)

Support the Capital Project and Planning Programs related to implementing District projects.

• Lead communication planning and implementation on project outreach including printed and digital materials, messaging, website notices, and events.
• Oversee the District’s resident conservation cost-share program in coordination with Scott SWCD.

• Meet with Scott SWCD on a quarterly basis to review and select cost-share projects to receive District funding.
• Review Scott SWCD activities and invoices for compliance with District policies.

• On an annual basis, bring forward Scott SWCD’s draft cost-share docket to the Board of Managers for review and discussion.
• Support grant application writing, grant management and reporting with Project Manager direction.
• Support project development and implementation on all stages of capital projects as needed.

Field Program Support (10%)

Assist the Water Resources Program Manager and Field Operations Coordinator with the District’s field programs.

• Assist with removals of carp, including electrofishing, seining, and trapping efforts.
• Assist with maintenance of the District’s properties and capital project infrastructure as needed including raking, contracting, and vegetation removal.
• Collect surface water quality samples and stream flow measurements.

Other Responsibilities (10%)

• Assist with summer intern direction, as needed.
• Assist in preparations for regular and special board meetings and workshops; attend and participate in board meetings and workshops as requested.
• Ensure that expertise and related skills are developed and maintained by attending training programs as approved within budgetary guidelines.
• Perform other assigned projects and duties in a timely manner and within established budgets.
• Willingly assist other District staff as needed to ensure efficient workflow. Maintain a flexible attitude toward job responsibilities and procedural changes.

Qualifications and Experience:

Required

• A BA/BS degree in natural resources, communications, education, environmental sciences, environmental planning, or comparable experience in a related field.
• One (1) years of professional work experience in outreach, communications, or water resources management.
• Strong writing and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and demonstrated experience in coordinating multiple concurrent work tasks.
• Competent with Microsoft Office products, including Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Experience with social media management.
• Competent with graphic layout software (ie. Canva, InDesign).
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively

• Ability to work evenings and weekends, as needed for events and public meetings.

• Maintain a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for work responsibilities.

• Ability to work outdoors in varied weather conditions and terrain; ability to lift/carry up to 50 pounds and operate field equipment.

Preferred

• Three (3) years of professional work experience in outreach, communications, or water resources management.
• Experience designing, delivering, and refining educational programs in water resources.
• Knowledge of watersheds, natural resource management, and conservation practices.
• Able to process complex technical information into accessible language and concepts.
• Experience managing relationships with consultants, contractors and community members.
• Experience with Concrete CMS website platform and maintaining websites
• Familiarity with GIS or other mapping programs. Ability to manage data.
• Familiarity and experience with water monitoring equipment such as multi-parameter Sonde, Biobase, ISCO flow modules, telemetry level-loggers, etc.

This Job Description is intended to describe the general contents of and the requirements for the performance of this job.  It is not intended to be, nor may it be construed to be, a complete and exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. It is subject to change as the needs of the District and the requirements of the position change. Additional or revised responsibilities and special projects may be assigned. This is not a contract, nor does it imply a contract