Watershed Coordinator - Milford Lake Watershed, Kansas

Position Title: Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) - Watershed Coordinator

Location: Milford Lake Watershed in Kansas, Remote office, travel required Watershed Coordinator must live within/adjacent to the boundaries of the watershed

Contact: Libby Albers, Executive Director, kaws@kaws.org

Opens: Monday, March 11, 2024 Closes: Friday, March 29, 2024

Hours: Full-time. Limited benefits: health stipend, mileage & cell phone reimbursement, SIMPLE IRA plan, flexible schedule

Method of application: via indeed.com by 5 pm CDST, Friday, March 29, 2024.

Who we are: The Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and Streams (KAWS) is a non-profit organization working to connect the lands, water, and people of Kansas. Our vision is waters that are clean, plentiful and protected, lands that are prosperous for people and wildlife, and people who are knowledgeable in sustaining our natural resources. We’ve been working with landowners and producers across Kansas for more than 25 years to improve water quality, reduce sediment and nutrient runoff, and building strong partnerships with natural resource agencies and other organizations along the way. KAWS is a team of professional and creative people working to inspire natural resource conservation through science-based solutions.

Job Description: Our Watershed Coordinators work with producers and landowners to implement agricultural best management practices for improving water quality. Additionally, they:

• provide oversight for outreach to watershed stakeholders and residents regarding WRAPS projects
• develop goal-driven outreach campaigns to engage producers and other stakeholders for improving soil health and water quality
• achieve annual BMP implementation goals as stated in the approved 9 Element Watershed plan
• organize, lead, and manage WRAPS Stakeholder Leadership Team (SLT) meetings
• identify and enhance opportunities to implement and retain best management practices within the watershed
• Form strong alliances with local agency staff, stakeholders, community organizations, businesses, and watershed residents.
• work closely with our Executive Director and other team members to support the mission and vision of KAWS

The successful candidate will:

• have knowledge of principles, practices, terminology, and techniques of agricultural science related to water quality, nutrient management, soil health, and soil conservation;
• have knowledge of state, federal, and local environmental laws and regulations;
• be comfortable working with the Google Suite and Microsoft Office platforms
• utilize Geographic Information Systems (GIS), specificall Google Earth Pro;
• have the ability to generate reports and educational materials;
• possess skill in interpersonal relationships
• provide written and verbal communications with producers and partners to meet their needs in a courteous and cooperative manner;
• have familiarity and the ability to use social media outlets;
• display high standards of ethical conduct;
• commit to quality of service;
• display a high level of initiative and commitment;
• work with minimal supervision;
• demonstrate responsible behavior and attention to detail;
• follow organizational policy and cooperate with supervisors;
• market, organize, and conduct public outreach programs to inform watershed landowners and producers of available programs and funding to address water quality impairments and in-field resource concerns.

Required Education: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Agriculture, Biology, Ecology, Natural Resource Conservation or Environmental Science is required.

Compensation: beginning at $55,000 annually.

Job Qualifications: Applicant should be a detail oriented individual with the ability to work independently and prioritize a variable work schedule and have good communication skills, both verbally and in writing. Job will occasionally require walking through rough terrain and/or inclement weather conditions along with carrying equipment. Knowledge of ArcGIS software, Google Suite of products, social media, engineering equipment, and agricultural practices is beneficial.

KAWS provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.

Milford Lake Watershed: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HgsvJNS2rgHfLSKUUpDAgrmOlbU-4iP8/view?usp=sharing

WRAPS Coordinator Job Duties, Examples

Organize, lead, manage WRAPS Stakeholder Leadership Team meetings

• Book locations and notify SLT and partners of meeting times/locations
• Organize and distribute meeting agendas and meeting minutes
• Lead SLT through agenda during meeting
• Present BMP options to the SLT and provide necessary information to facilitate decisions

Provide information and education outreach regarding WRAPS project

• Occasionally attend Regional Advisory Committee meetings, and other regional or statewide meetings, etc. Update these groups on the WRAPS activities and progress.
• Organize and present at informational workshops regarding WRAPS including local water quality impairments being addressed, BMP types being utilized, priority areas, and financial incentive rates available to producers.
• Conduct one-on-one discussions with local residents and landowners regarding WRAPS including local water quality impairments being addressed, BMP types being utilized, priority areas, and financial incentive rates available to producers.

Achieve annual BMP implementation goals as stated in the approved 9 Element Watershed plan

• Be familiar with and promote all BMP categories included in the KDHE Approved 9 Element Watershed plan following the schedule and timetable.
• Work one-on-one with landowners in targeted sub-watersheds to promote conservation planning. Provide one-on-one information regarding Water Quality issues facing the watershed and plans to restore the quality.
• Utilize KDHE assessment information to hold small informational workshops or conduct one-on-one discussions that will lead to increased adoption of desired BMPs in watershed.
• Encourage landowners to fill out an application with WRAPS Coordinator or their local County Conservation District Office
• Work with Local Conservation District Offices to review and understand incoming BMP applications that meet WRAPS goals. Anticipate SLT questions or producer questions and ascertain an understanding such that basic project questions can be answered.
• Directly follow the WRAPS Project Application Process flowchart to review, present and track all BMPs that are approved for funding through the WRAPS project.
• Understand and assist landowners in completing a WRAPS project application
• Understand and utilize the application screening tool to determine application eligibility
• Conduct all reconnaissance activities regarding eligible BMPs
• Develop list of additional needed information based on understanding of load reduction goals, impairments being addressed through KDHE Approved 9 Element Watershed plan, etc.
• May involve occasional site visits
• Understand and utilize a WRAPS project tracking spreadsheet for funded BMPs
• Enter funded BMPs
• Track design/stake out dates
• Track construction dates
• Track payment dates
• Present eligible BMP applications to the SLT
• Screening tool details and answer detailed questions regarding BMPs
• Provide follow up on questions unable to answer during meeting

Report to Sponsoring Organization

• Hours of work, activities, etc.
• Report on project activities – meetings, BMPs, etc. so that Executive Director can complete necessary reporting requirements for grant conditions

Watershed Restoration Assessment and Projection Strategy (WRAPS) coordination requires a diverse skill set to be able to effectively and successfully engage community members and stakeholders in restoring and protecting water quality in the watershed. To be successful, a WRAPS Coordinator strives to develop mastery of the following professional standards:

COMMUNICATION

WRAPS Coordinator effectively communicates to engage local landowners, agricultural producers, and local governments/leaders.

• Active listening and understanding of what is needed, and explain how/if and why or why not the WRAPS program can help meet those needs
• Effective verbal and written communication to promote local WRAPS program to generate interest and engagement in financial assistance, educational, and other services and opportunities provided through WRAPS
• Make complex technical information related to watershed science and best management practices meaningful and relevant to their audience.
• Understand the culture of local communities to ensure that the timing, communication channels, and language used are respectful of and effective within the cultural norms of the landowners, agricultural producers, sponsors, and local government/leaders, and to challenge traditional perspectives when necessary.

Ability to communicate effectively with partners, colleagues and leadership at the state and local level:

• Network and make professional connections at the community, regional and state level to advance the goals of the WRAPS program
• Provide adequate and timely information to stakeholders to keep them engaged and informed
• Keep technical service providers and partners informed of changes and new opportunities within WRAPS

ORGANIZATION/PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Ability to effectively manage the timelines, reporting, budgets and plans for WRAPS Plan implementation.

• Create, manage, and track a project implementation plan that balances funding agency priorities/guidelines with local priorities as identified in the 9 Element WRAPS Plan
• Create, manage, and track a project budget that balances funding agency priorities/guidelines with local priorities as identified in the 9 Element WRAPS Plan
• Coordinate work plans and strategies that include prioritized actions completed within established timelines
• Complete reports and grant related documentation, providing requested information and meeting reporting deadlines
• Maintain ongoing and regular communication with all project stakeholders and project officers
• Assess and access appropriate professional development or support as necessary to use resources such as spreadsheets, word processing, GIS, etc. for effective project management.
• Adaptive project management, including assessing progress toward reaching goals to determine weaknesses, new challenges, information, opportunities, etc., adjust plans accordingly, and communicate new perspectives on projects.
• Evaluate and track efficient use of funds (pollutant load reduction achieved per dollar spent)
• Comprehend and comply with the contractual agreement of the WRAPS Program while advancing professional development opportunities, reciprocal partner activities, local outreach and networking.

Ability to tap into local community resources to advance WRAPS work.

• Identify, engage and recognize innovators and influencers in the community
• Leverage additional local, state, and national resources for WRAPS related projects
• Identify, build and grow new and existing community partnerships to strengthen projects
• Cultivate peer to peer marketing opportunities
• Engage local audiences in relevant and effective educational activities and events

Ability to lead, inform and listen to Stakeholder Leadership Teams and Community to attain project goals.

• Help SLT members, partners and community members understand their roles and responsibilities within the WRAPS project including appropriate engagement of all involved in strengthening the team.
• Provide training and resources for new SLT members to orient them to the project and process and ongoing support for SLT members to enhance their leadership and effectiveness.
• SLT and community members collaborate to have collective impact in their watershed.
• SLT and community members collaboratively apply appropriate strategies for technical and adaptive challenges.
• Identify gaps and recruit new SLT members to maintain a diverse and well- balanced team
• Balance SLT priorities with funding guidelines and requirements within the decision making process
• Seek additional resources to help SLT meet objectives that are outside of the scope of WRAPS funding priorities

INTERPERSONAL

Ability to effectively build trust and relationships with local stakeholders and partners.

• Allocate program resources with transparency
• Identify community characteristics, culture, center (where people gather/get information), and needs
• Provide assistance to support landowners in navigating and accessing the resources they need within the complex and sometimes confusing landscape of natural resource management
• Use education and outreach appropriately with community and individual landowners to build engagement and advancement of WRAPS project goals.

Ability to provide facilitative leadership for project teams.

• Lead and manage the strengths of your Stakeholder Leadership Team, partners, landowners and others, engaging the people with the skills necessary to be successful
• Determine who might be the most effective to deliver information and/or process and successfully engage WRAPS Ambassadors

Ability to understand the social/cultural/political components of WRAPS at the local, regional, state and federal levels.

• Build relationships with other WRAPS Coordinators and share information, insight, and lessons learned
• Be an ambassador for WRAPS at state and regional meetings (Regional Advisory Committees, Water Vision, etc.)
• Understand how major initiatives such as the Farm Bill, Water Vision, and EPA budgets impact WRAPS
• Understand and work effectively within the organizational culture of local, county, state and federal partners such as NRCS, Extension, local government, etc.

Ability to honor and navigate many points of view.

• Work with diverse audiences to solicit, appreciate, understand, and negotiate diverse and sometimes opposing points of view
• Identify and manage conflicts as they arise

TECHNICAL

Ability to adequately understand the context of the

watershed, the human interactions that impact it, and the culture in which it operates.

• Understanding timing and pricing of agricultural products, including planting & harvest dates, commodities prices, marketplace dynamics, etc. and how these impact producer’s availability to engage in conservation practices
• Understanding the history and context of WRAPS, including why it was formed and the mandates that shape the program
• Identifying watershed needs and developing strategies to address them

Ability to provide or effectively engage technical providers to successfully achieve the goals of 9 element plans.

• Mapping skills, including ground truthing and using target area maps for project implementation
• Computer skills, including word processing, spreadsheets, desktop publishing, electronic communications, internet skills, etc.
• Understanding basic watershed science and watershed management
• Engage partners to provide technical assistance in specific best management practices (BMPs) as needed
• Research to efficiently and effectively understand technical components of the WRAPS process (including partner services).
• Field skills, including using technology to navigate and identifying potential natural resource Concerns
• Understanding how to address TMDL’s with a specific BMP

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Application Question(s):

• KAWS does not provide a vehicle to perform this work but does reimburse mileage at the current federal rate. Are you able to drive your own vehicle (dirt roads) for this work?
• Do you live within the boundaries of the Milford Lake Watershed and/or are willing to relocate within the watershed? Map can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HgsvJNS2rgHfLSKUUpDAgrmOlbU-4iP8/view?usp=sharing

**this job is remote WITHIN the boundaries of the Milford Lake Watershed. You will be working out of your home as an office.

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Agriculture: 1 year (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Willingness to travel:

• 25% (Required)

Work Location: In person