Huron River Watershed Field Job
Jason Frenzel
Hi friends!
Please feel free to forward this job announcement as you see fit. Let me know if there are any job boards or other methods you recommend to get this to a wide array of candidates who might be interested in field/aquatic ecology.
Thanks!
~Jason
Position: Watershed Ecology Associate
Hours: Full-time with generous benefits package
Annual Salary: $42,993
Close Date: December 2
About Us
The Huron River Watershed Council (HRWC) is a coalition of watershed residents, businesses, and local governments. HRWC is the oldest regional river protection organization in Michigan. Our mission is to protect and restore the river for healthy and vibrant
communities. We work with a collaborative and inclusive spirit to give all partners the opportunity to become stewards; generate science-based, trustworthy information for decision makers to ensure reliable supplies of clean water and resilient natural systems;
and passionately advocate for the health of the river and the lands around it.
HRWC is committed to diversity and inclusion within the workplace. We are committed to prohibiting discrimination against volunteers, clients, and applicants on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental handicap/disability, social economic class, ethical values and/or political beliefs.
Position Description
The Watershed Ecology Associate assists with the planning and implementation of aquatic and terrestrial biological monitoring, volunteer field programs, K-College environmental education, and related data management and analysis.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Work on citizen science-based benthic macroinvertebrate program: prepare outings, coordinate logistics, work with and support volunteers, identify aquatic benthic macroinvertebrates, analyze and present data
- Help lead summer intern program: lead and conduct field work with summer interns, coordinate data collection outings, contribute to a positive intern experience
- Participate in HRWC’s K-12 environmental education program: directly work with students and teachers, provide logistical support to program leaders, help build and maintain relationships with diverse schools and districts
- Work on Natural Areas Assessment and Protection Program: prepare outings, coordinate and work with volunteers, conduct landowner outreach, prepare GIS maps, analyze and present data
- Support recruitment and retention of diverse volunteer base for HRWC programs
- Track and maintain monitoring equipment and materials needed for monitoring programs
- Support HRWC staff with GIS projects that include the creation of both offline and online maps
- Support the development and piloting of emerging contaminant monitoring programs
- Data inputting, management, and analysis related to all Associate’s program areas
- Contribute to projects that change over time, incorporating the Associate’s interests
HRWC Functions
- Assist in developing and implementing any needed procedures to continually improve the effectiveness of the organization
- Participate in production of a high-quality newsletter, website, and social/media outlets
- Participate in staff meetings and other organization events and activities
- Support and facilitate the development of new projects and other fundraising efforts
Desired Qualifications:
- A bachelor’s degree in natural resources, biology, environmental engineering or similar field or 2-3 years of relevant professional experience in volunteer coordination, biological sampling techniques and/or data management
- Experience in benthic macroinvertebrate identification (taxonomic family and lower preferred)
- Experience in both aquatic and terrestrial plant identification
- Analytical skills and experience using statistical analysis techniques
- Knowledge and experience with GIS
- Spreadsheet and database management experience – Excel, Access, Salesforce or similar
- Strong written communication and public speaking skills; and ability to present to diverse audiences, specifically racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse communities.
- Self-motivated, organized, experience working in teams
- Experience with water quality issues and solutions
- Ability and desire to facilitate collaborative approaches to environmental protection
- Commitment to maintain the culture of participatory decision-making and support for colleagues to achieve their best
Physical Demands and Work Environment
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Willingness to travel within four-county area in southeastern Michigan
- Availability to work some evenings and weekends
- Able to meet the demands of the work environment including physical activity (wading in rivers and walking across difficult terrain, while carrying up to 25 pounds), regularly being in indoor and outdoor locations in a variety of temperatures, light conditions, activity and noise levels
- Employee is regularly required to, stand, sit, talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone. Specific vision abilities required include close vision requirements due to computer work.
- Must maintain a valid driver’s license in the State of Michigan and have access to a vehicle for working in the field throughout the watershed.
Please submit an application, cover letter, resume and three references to Jenn Kangas by December 2, 2019.
Jason Frenzel, CVA | Volunteer & Stewardship Coordinator
Huron River Watershed Council | 1100 N. Main Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
