Izaak Walton League of America

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE

The mission of the Izaak Walton League of America (IWLA), founded in 1922, is to conserve, restore and promote the sustainable use and enjoyment of our natural resources, including soil, air, woods, waters and wildlife. Our members and staff combine hands-on conservation action, policy work with legislatures and resource agencies, and public education to pursue our conservation goals at the local, state and national levels. As a strong responsible voice representing outdoor recreationists, we occupy a special niche in the conservation community.

SUMMARY OF POSITION

Working under the direction of the Clean Water Program Director, the Save Our Streams (SOS) Coordinator is primarily responsible for coordinating, training and mobilizing a regional network of volunteer stream monitors using the Virginia Save Our Streams (VA SOS) / Chesapeake Monitoring Cooperative (CMC) programs. The Coordinator will train and support volunteer monitors, regional trainers and program leaders in the Mid-Atlantic region. Additionally, the Coordinator will contribute to communications efforts designed to foster an interconnected network of volunteer stream monitors nationwide

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Stream Monitoring Training and Support

• Recruit, train and support Izaak Walton League members, partner organizations and community volunteers to serve as certified VA SOS / CMC water quality and Salt Watch monitors.
• Coordinate and conduct in-person and online events across the country to recruit and train existing and new stream monitors and individuals qualified to train monitors.
• Coordinate and conduct monitoring certification and recertification of volunteers across the country to establish the qualifications of new and experienced monitors.
• Communicate regularly and frequently with volunteer monitors, watershed organizations, and others to support local SOS and Salt Watch stream monitoring efforts and foster an interconnected network of volunteer monitors nationwide.
• Oversee the quality assurance of the field methodologies, protocol comprehension and proper safety and equipment cleaning practices to produce data that is reliable and valid while minimizing stream site disturbance.
• Coordinate Winter Salt Watch program, including distribution of Salt Watch kits and data management of chloride readings.

Data Management

• Input data into database (the Clean Water Hub).
• Analyze water quality trends, monitoring sites and frequency of monitoring, and compile those results to communicate to water monitoring stakeholders, the public and press.
• Support volunteers with data management, including Clean Water Hub troubleshooting.
• Quality assure and submit data to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the CMC Data Explorer.
• Download, quality assure and compile Salt Watch data.

Communications

• Develop content for IWLA website, social media, press outreach and publications, including Outdoor America magazine.
• Serve as liaison between League chapters, other volunteers, state agencies and the Izaak Walton League of America.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental education, natural resources management, natural sciences or related field.
• Proven knowledge of stream monitoring activities, macroinvertebrate identification and field equipment used for water quality monitoring.
• Two years of experience directly coordinating volunteers engaged in water quality monitoring or other citizen science activity.
• Understanding of quality assurance / quality controls for data collection and analysis.
• Interest and demonstrated experience in environmental education, volunteer management, community outreach, water quality assessment and stream monitoring.
• Experience with public speaking and providing engaging training workshops.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and to organize and manage multiple tasks and set priorities.
• Ability to work in Microsoft Excel for data management purposes.
• Experience managing simple datasets in ArcGIS and ArcGIS online.
• Ability to work constructively and cooperatively with a diverse array of staff, members, volunteers and colleague organizations.
• Experience with social media (Facebook, Twitter).
• Possess a valid state-issued driver’s license and own a car for travel (or have the ability to provide transportation for self and equipment to regional meetings / trainings).
• Ability and willingness to travel including for multiple days consecutively and overnight.
• Fluency (oral and written) in Spanish is a plus.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Work involves both physical exertion and sedentary activities and includes work that involves exposure to the outdoors, including various biological and chemical elements, especially those that are water-based, and periods of standing and walking on rough terrain.
• Must be able to sit or stand for up to eight hours at a time while performing work duties.
• Must be able to travel.
• Must be able to bend, stoop, push, and pull, and to lift up to 50 pounds, in the performance of both office-related and field duties.
• Must be able to maintain punctuality and attendance as scheduled.
• Must be able to perform essential job functions in an environment that will sometimes include increased levels of work-related stress.

SALARY & BENEFITS

This is a full-time position. The Izaak Walton League of America provides a competitive salary and benefits. Compensation will be dependent on the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.

APPLICATIONS

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume, by March 31, to sos@iwla.org. No phone calls please.

The Izaak Walton League of America is an equal opportunity employer.