BLUE THUMB FIELD EDUCATION COORDINATOR

Job Posting Title

BLUE THUMB FIELD EDUCATION COORDINATOR

Agency

645 CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Supervisory Organization

Conservation Commission

Job Posting End Date

Refer to the date listed at the top of this posting, if available. Continuous if date is blank.

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.

Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank)

Full/Part-Time

Full time

Job Type

Regular

Compensation

$55,000 Annual Based on Education and Experience. This position will be based either in Oklahoma City or Tulsa Area depending on applicants' location.

Job Description

Basic Purpose

This is an advanced-level field position, working largely independently, to lead seasonal biological collections and guide citizen scientist volunteers as they learn and continue to monitor streams.  It also provides support for critical Blue Thumb program functions, including program promotion, organization/entry of field data, and coordination of volunteers. The position involves fieldwork performed throughout the year regardless of weather conditions. This position determines much of their own scheduling in order to meet with their volunteers and the public. Overnight travel is frequently required, and the workweek often consists of irregular hours, including weekends and evenings. Job activities often involve physical exertion with some heavy lifting. Since many activities occur in or around water, candidates must be able to swim. Although Blue Thumb staff typically focus work responsibilities on a regional basis, a significant amount of responsibilities will still be statewide program. Position is supervised by the Blue Thumb Director.

Typical Functions

The functions performed in this job family will vary by level, unit and organization, but may include the following:

• Coordinate with other Blue Thumb team members;

• Coordinate with Blue Thumb Quality Assurance Officer in the selection of volunteer monitoring sites;

• Follow guidance provided by the Blue Thumb Quality Assurance Officer to address data quality issues;

• Educate the public about stream ecology;

• Assist with volunteer training;

• Effectively use and maintain field kits;

• Conduct necessary water quality, in-stream habitat and biological collections, sometimes in coordination with volunteers;

• Schedule and oversee benthic macroinvertebrate sub-sampling events with volunteers;

• Conduct Quality Assurance sessions and safety training for volunteers;

• Assist volunteers with interpretation of data and evaluation of site conditions;

• Order supplies;

• Enter program data and maintain chain of custody for biological samples;

• Update social media;

• Effectively document program activities (video and photo);

• Promote program to potential sponsors (particularly conservation districts) and increase media attention on program activities and water pollution prevention;

• Represent Blue Thumb at various meetings to promote water quality education and volunteer recruitment;

• Oversee an effort to support Blue Thumb activities such as the Project Wet Program or act as the BT Quality Assurance Officer; and

• Fulfill other duties as assigned.

Level Descriptor

Levels are distinguished based on the complexity of assigned duties, the level of expertise required for completion of work assignments, and the responsibility assigned for the supervision of others.

This is the career level of the job family where employees are assigned duties and responsibilities at the full-performance level while performing a wide range of tasks involving investigations, analyses and interpretation of state and federal laws. In this role, employees will evaluate inspection and survey data, prepare technical records and reports and make recommendations concerning remedial actions to correct environmental or water problems. At this level, limited guidance and training may be provided to entry-level employees performing environmental program duties.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies

required for this position include knowledge of biology, chemistry, physics, stream ecology, pollutants, watersheds, and both urban and rural nonpoint source pollution issues. This position should have advanced knowledge of the causes, impacts and prevention of nonpoint source pollution.  Staff at this level are responsible for largely setting their own schedules in order to coordinate with their groups of volunteers who may be unable to meet during the traditional work week.  Staff must also coordinate around weather conditions and sampling limitations when developing schedules.  Since this position works closely with the public, individuals must be outgoing and have excellent verbal and written communication skills. Must be comfortable working independently, with limited supervision. Individuals should be detail-oriented and possess strong organizational skills; be proficient with computers and contemporary software packages (particularly MS Windows and Office)..

Education and Experience

A Bachelor’s degree in biology, geology, environmental science or related science plus two years pertinent experience (stream assessment and volunteer training/coordination) is required.  A masters degree in a similar field can be substituted for two years experience, a PhD can substitute for four years experience. OCC requires the successful applicant to be a legal resident of the United States and hold or obtain a current driver's license for the state of OK.   .

Special Requirements

·         Understanding of water quality, stream ecology, and the relationship between land use, pollution, chemical and physical water quality parameters, instream habitat, and the biota of streams

• Knowledge of education and outreach principles, methods, and techniques;

• Must be a legal resident of the United States and possess a valid Oklahoma driver’s license;

• Individuals must be able to swim;

• Ability to obtain and maintain CPR and first-aid certifications is required;

• Must be willing to travel to meet program needs – including frequent overnight trips

• Requires some heavy lifting and ability to work outside during all types of weather conditions.

Equal Opportunity Employment

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.

Current active State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions internally through the Workday Jobs Hub.

If you are needing any extra assistance or have any questions relating to a job you have applied for, please click the link below and find the agency for which you applied for additional information:

Agency Contact