Conservation Specialist, Senior

Hennepin County•Downtown Minneapolis, MN

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

Hennepin County's Environment and Energy department is seeking a Conservation Specialist, Senior to direct education and outreach initiatives and to serve as liaison to a partnership between Hennepin County and the West Metro Water Alliance (WMWA). WMWA is a coalition of watershed commissions, cities, and other organizations seeking to protect and improve water resources through better coordinated education and resident outreach. This position will support the launch, coordination, and implementation of community engagement initiatives, pollution reduction education programs, and stormwater and water quality improvement projects. This is a full-time, benefit-earning position with a limited duration, primarily funded through grants, with current funding expected to continue through at least December 31, 2028. This position is internally classified as an Environmentalist, Senior.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or higher in business administration, public administration, the sciences or a field related to the position, and two or more years of experience planning or operating environmental programs such as recycling, solid waste, or other public works programs involving inter-agency coordination.
Associates degree in a field closely related to the assignment and four or more years of experience planning or operating environmental programs such as recycling, solid waste, or other public works programs involving inter-agency coordination.
A valid driver's license and the ability to obtain a Hennepin County drivers permit within six months of employment.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in an environmental field implementing conservation, natural resources, and/or water resource projects and initiatives.
Experience using communication strategies and technologies (e.g. e-newsletter, social media, or web content platforms) to deliver environmental messaging to residents and/or diverse audiences.
Experience working to address water quality and stormwater issues, including the development and implementation of best management practices (BMPs) in residential settings.
As a professional in the environmental or communications field, including internships or graduate school projects, working with conservation, water resources management, natural resources management, environmental outreach and engagement, or other work related to this position.
Tailoring outreach approaches and content for specific and often diverse audiences and communities.
Creating educational content for a variety of communication channels.
Giving public presentations; facilitating large group discussions.
Making scientific, environmental, technical, or other complex information understandable and relatable to a general audience.
Managing project teams of staff, contractors, and partners from various organizations and agencies.
Coordinating and developing environmental and conservation projects and practices that improve water quality.
Ability to develop outreach approaches and content for a wide array of audiences and tailor approaches for specific audiences.
Ability to work effectively with and gain input from various staff members and partners.
Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, including updates to partners and customers, creating educational content for a variety of channels, giving presentations, and providing outreach at events.
Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, hybrid (remote and in-person environment) environment.

Responsibilities

Work with the WMWA steering committee to set goals and strategies and develop annual workplans defining priorities, intended outcomes, and key milestones.
Provide monthly updates at WMWA meetings and work with the WMWA steering committee to coordinate activities, evaluate and improve program outcomes, and prepare and present an annual report.
Coordinate with partners, residents, and vendors to schedule, promote, and/or conduct workshops; attend watershed commission and city meetings and community events.
Assist with design and writing support, direct the creation of outreach tools such as flyers, brochures, videos, displays, interpretive signs, and hands-on activities.
Develop materials and conduct programming to assist city partners with enhancing MS4 permit education programming for residents, businesses, and community groups.
Deliver education programming in an equitable manner that serves residents and water-users who tend to be under-represented in water resource programming.
Create and implement an outreach strategy on behalf of the partnership.
Work with partners and County staff to provide technical assistance to participants, inspect completed projects, and assist partners to secure project funding.
Manage projects that improve water quality and coordinate with consultants and stakeholders to implement projects.
Build and leverage partnerships with entities doing complementary work (e.g. East Metro Water Resource Education Program, Blue Thumb Partners, volunteer programs, and community groups).
Conduct audience research to evaluate effectiveness of programming.