Environmental Education and Conservation Coordinator

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

Plans and implements educational programs in the communities and in the elementary, middle and high schools on conserving water and other natural resources of Guilford County. Plans and implements the Community Conservation Assistance Program (CCAP) and assists with the Voluntary Agricultural District Program (VAD). Assists with monitoring and maintaining grants for the N.C Agricultural Cost Share Program.

DISTINGUISHING FEASTURES OF THE CLASS

This classification is responsible for coordinating environmental education programs and providing administrative and budgetary support for the Guilford Soil and Water Conservation District office. Work includes developing, coordinating, and delivering specialized environmental educational and conservation programs in schools and the community, and provides administrative and budgetary support to the Soil and Water Division and the Guilford Soil and Water Conservation’s District Board of Supervisors (District BOS).

Work is performed under the general supervision of and reports to the Soil and Water Conservation Manager and is reviewed through conferences, reports, observation of program activities completed, and feedback from groups receiving the services. Allows leeway to exercise independent judgement within the framework of applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures in the performance of duties, both in terms of planning and accomplishing work and in making decisions. Supervision or leading others may be a responsibility of this class depending on the assignment. The employee in this position will be responsible for the District’s Community Conservation Assistance Program (CCAP) and will assist with the N.C. Agricultural Cost Share Program and the Voluntary Agricultural District Program (VAD). 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

The incumbent may be responsible for performing other related duties and responsibilities as required or assigned. A position may not include all the work examples given, nor does the list include all that may be assigned. The following are examples of typical work activities and responsibilities:

• Identifies environmental educational and informational needs for the Guilford Soil and Water Conservation District. 
• Develops, coordinates, and facilitates District educational programs, materials, and activities on environmental literacy including the Poster, Essay and Speech Contest, for various age groups including adults and youth. Works in conjunction with the Soil & Water Conservation Manager in planning and implementing education components of agency programs.
• Promotes the CCAP program to interested groups and individuals. Applies for funding through the regional application process and completes contracts in the Divisions CS2 contracting program. Seeks grant funds to further promote and increase interest in the CCAP program. Visits community organizations, professional groups, and private landowners to share information and advice on conservation programs and conservation activities.
• Seeks job approval authority (JAA) through the Division of Soil and Water for Best Management Practices. 
• Promotes and assists with the Voluntary Agricultural District Program including taking applications, verifying program eligibility, presenting applications to the VAD advisory board, and working with GIS to add/remove applications to the GIS map layer. 
• Promotes farmland preservation in Guilford County.
• Coordinates -District outreach and recognition programs and special events including volunteers, logistics and marketing. Works with internal and external departmental programs in support of soil and water programs, as directed. Provides administrative support to the District BOS in accordance with legally required operational processes, procedures, and open meeting laws. 
• Maintains the Guilford Soil and Water District’s website and Facebook page, post articles of general interests to the public. Completes quarterly newsletter for the Guilford SWCD, including current events, conservation programs, notice of cost-share funds and sign-up periods and any other relevant information. Uses computer applications or other automated systems such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, e-mail and database software in performing work assignments. Performs related work assignments as required.

RECURUITMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• General knowledge of conservation principles and practices relating to soil and water conservation, natural resources, aerial maps and soil surveys.
• Good knowledge of, and ability to interpret relevant local, state, and federal laws and regulations, County ordinances, and department and District policies and procedures.
• Good knowledge of the Districts BOS’s goals and objectives pertaining to environment and resource conservation, and NC Open Meeting laws and requirements. Ability to design a variety of materials to promote conservation and develop grants.
• Good knowledge of budget administration, accounts receivables and payables. Ability to be innovative and creative in developing conservation training methods, educational practices and curriculum.
• Skill in gathering data and preparing reports. Ability to write and speak effectively and to stimulate interest and cooperation among groups ranging in age from young children to adults.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with racially and socio-economical diverse populations to express information and ideas clearly and concisely.
• Ability to organize and consolidate information, maintain records, prepare reports, and complete assignments accurately and timely.
• Ability to effectively use computer applications such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, e-mail and database software to maintain records and prepare reports. These applications include but are not limited to: Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Publisher. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a BS degree in Environmental Science, natural resources or a related field of study

OR

Associate Degree in Environmental Science, natural resources or a related field of study and two years of work experience in soil and water conservation or environmental education programs; or a related field

OR

An equivalent combination of education, training and experience defined above. Experience in conservation and/or educational programs and grant writing is preferred.

Must possess a valid North Carolina Driver License or the ability to obtain within six (6) months of hire.

Physical Demands

Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing and repetitive motions. Must have visual acuity to perform tasks requiring color, depth perception and field of vision sufficient to perform tasks associated with the preparation and analysis of figures and data, frequent operation of a computer, and accounting, reviewing and understanding documents. Must be able to perform sedentary work exerting up to 30 pounds of force occasionally or and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.

Environmental Conditions

Work is performed primarily in a normal office, classroom and auditorium environment. Work also may be outside for extended periods, for workshops, field days or other activities. The employee may occasionally be exposed to outside temperatures lower than 32 degrees and/or higher than 100 degrees.

Special Note: 

This generic class description gives an overview of the job class, its essential job functions and recommended job requirements. However, for each individual position assigned to this class, there is available a completed job description with physical abilities checklist which can be reviewed before initiating a selection process. They can provide additional detail information on which to base various personnel actions and can assist management in making legal defensible personnel decisions.