Position Title: Watershed Technician
Position Location: Clermont Soil and Water Conservation District, 1000 Locust Street, Owensville, Ohio 45160
Reports To: Clermont SWCD District Director
Position Duration: Begins November 6, 2023, and ends October 2, 2024. Requires a minimum of 1,700 hours of service over the service period.
Benefits:
The member will receive a stipend of up to $20,400, and the stipend will be paid biweekly. If the term of service is completed successfully, the member may be eligible for a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $6,895. Full-time members have access to healthcare and childcare. The member will not be an employee of Clermont Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) and is not entitled to any of the benefits or compensation Clermont SWCD provides to its employees. Housing is not available.
About ORBCorps:
The Ohio River Basin AmeriCorps (ORBCorps) program has been formed to address the issue of poor water quality in Southwest Ohio. Residents are often unaware of our poor water quality and once informed are not really sure how they themselves can have any effect on the problem and the potential solutions. Introducing AmeriCorps members to this area will help expand the education, outreach and data collection efforts to continue to push for cleaner water and better educated residents. At the same time, it will help AmeriCorps members develop skills that will prepare them for employment as a natural resource or water quality professional.
Overview:
The Clermont Soil and Water Conservation District is a political subdivision of the State of Ohio, established in 1943 to work with landowners to help address soil and water conservation issues. The District’s purpose is to improve and sustain soil and water quality in Clermont County, and our mission is to provide resources to meet the conservation needs of Clermont County land users. Clermont SWCD provides technical assistance, grants and cost share funding, educational programming and other resources to landowners to help them address a diverse range of local conservation issues.
AmeriCorps, a federal agency, brings people together to tackle the country's most pressing challenges, through national service and volunteering. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities. AmeriCorps helps make service to others a cornerstone of our national culture. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.
Position Description:
The duties and responsibilities of the AmeriCorps member serving in the role of Watershed Technician will be to assist with the monitoring sampling program in the East Fork Little Miami River watershed. Monitoring and sampling locations include the Williamsburg Wetland Treatment System, the McCafferty Road Edge-of-Field site and multiple ambient sampling stations throughout the watershed. The AmeriCorps member will also assist with inspections required under the Ohio EPA Small MS4 Discharge Permit, including stormwater outfall inspections, inspections of post-construction stormwater management practices and investigations of illicit discharge complaints.
Essential Position Responsibilities:
- Maintain and calibrate monitoring equipment and special project sites, including autosamplers, water quality data sondes, flow monitoring equipment and rain gauges
- Collection and transport of water quality samples to the analytical laboratory
- Entry of water quality monitoring data into project databases and conducting some basic analyses of the data
- Inspecting storm water outfalls for signs of illicit discharges; responding to reports of illicit discharges to investigate and identify their sources
- Inspect post-construction stormwater management practices, such as detention and retention basins, to ensure that the practices are being properly operated and maintained
- Enhance skills and knowledge applicable to position through participation in related workshops, conferences and training.
Other Position Responsibilities:
- Occasional assist with sample analysis
- Assist with field mapping of storm sewer infrastructure in Clermont County
- Assist other District staff with the planning and implementation of special District events as needed, including educational field days and workshops, conservation plant sales, streamside litter cleanups and other events
- Compile information to be used in the development of Nine-element watershed management plans
- Develop reports for Board of Supervisors (monthly and additional as needed)
- Additional activities that fall within the goals of the program may be assigned with approval of the member, site supervisor and ORBCorps staff.
AmeriCorps Responsibilities:
- Mid-term and final performance evaluations conducted by supervisor
- Weekly timesheets
- Member Service Plan for tracking achieved goals
- Member surveys and exit survey.
Training: Clermont SWCD will provide the necessary training and oversight to allow the AmeriCorps member to successfully perform all aspects of this position. Additionally, the AmeriCorps member will receive monthly programmatic training on a variety of conservation topics. Training content may include, but is not limited to first aid, CPR, volunteer engagement, native species planting techniques, facilitating public involvement, environmental education, minimum control measures and land management.
Experience/Education: High school diploma or GED equivalent. Bachelor’s degree in a natural resources or science-related field preferred.
Qualifying Skills and Abilities:
- Must possess a high school diploma or GED
- Must have an interest in or plan to pursue a career in natural resources, conservation, environmental engineering, environmental science, civil engineering or a closely related field
- Must be comfortable working outside in inclement weather conditions, over uneven terrain with possible exposure to various insects, plants and animals
- Must be able to load items weighing up to 50 lbs
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Self-confident self-starter, goal oriented
- Very well organized. Ability to manage multiple simultaneous tasks
- Proficient in using word processing and spreadsheet software, and willing to learn new applications
- Availability for occasional evening and weekend service
- A valid driver’s license, insurance and a good driving record is required
- Must successfully pass a comprehensive background and criminal investigation check
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree natural resources, conservation, environmental engineering, environmental science, civil engineering or a closely related field
Service Schedule:
Daily hours for the Watershed Technician AmeriCorps member will be 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon and 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for a total of 40 hours a week. Some weeknight and weekend hours may be required.
To Apply: go to http://www.hcswcd.org/orbcorps-info.html. There you can upload a cover letter, resume/CV and 3 references.
The Clermont Soil & Water Conservation District is an equal opportunity employer.
