General: The Education and Communications Specialist plans, manages, and executes
MCWD education and communications functions as directed by the Communications
Director and Education Manager. The
purpose of the Education and Communications Program is to promote awareness and
knowledge building that leads to an informed and engaged citizenry which takes
actions for clean water and natural resource stewardship.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: This position carries out education and
communication activities within the MWCD, including developing and implementing
educational and communications materials, programs, and events, maintaining
public contacts and the District website, managing grant requests and
applications and general program administration. The Education and Communications Specialist
also serves as District liaison to regional watershed education efforts as
appropriate and performs other duties as assigned.
Key Responsibilities:
Educational & Communications materials
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Create content,
design and layout of District publications, signage, and displays.
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Draft
press releases, articles, and web pages on water related topics.
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Coordinate
printing/manufacture and distribution and/or placement of education and outreach
materials.
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Acquire and
maintain educational materials, tools, displays, and promotional items.
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Create forms,
templates, and other documents.
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Create
and maintain a database of digital photographs showing District projects,
events and resources, as well as best management practices and general water
resources topics.
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Collect
and organize watershed outreach materials, technical documents, and education
research from outside sources. Make
recommendations on how these materials can be incorporated into District
materials.
Events, tours, seminars, trainings, and presentations
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Plan,
promote, organize, and execute District events.
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Represent
the District at local fairs, festivals, neighborhood association and lake
association meetings and events.
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Develop
and give water-related presentations, demonstrations, and activities in
classrooms and other venues as requested.
Contact with the public
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Answer
the public’s requests for information.
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Create
and maintain the District’s contact database; manage and maintain the
District’s electronic list serve and social media outlets.
Website
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Update
the website with new material as requested from all MCWD program areas.
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Manage
website content by linking relevant information together.
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Add
photos and graphics as appropriate to keep a visually appealing and engaging
site.
Cynthia Krieg Watershed Stewardship Grant
Program
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Advertise
grant program before funding round.
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Collect
applications and coordinate the review process.
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Make
recommendations on appropriation of grant funding.
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Prepare
grant agreements and contracts.
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Track grant
progress and finances and serve as the District’s liaison to grantees.
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Ensure grant
payments are allocated in accordance with program requirements.
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Maintain
grant program files.
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Prepare
and distribute outreach materials and reports.
Program Administration
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Prepare
project, program, and policy recommendations and board requests.
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Prepare
monthly and annual reports.
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Participate
in strategic planning efforts and development of annual work plans for the
Education and Communications programs.
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Provide
support to other District programs in developing and implementing strategic
communications plans for district projects, programs, and events.
Regional Collaborative Education Efforts
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Serve as
District liaison to regionally collaborative education entities such as Metro
Watershed Partners, Children’s Water Festival, and others.
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Participate
in those programs to help meet District education, communications, and outreach
goals.
Other
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Identify
continuing education needs and goals and take appropriate classes and training
as approved by the Communications Director and District Administrator.
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Notify
the Communications Director and Education Manager of any important developments
or potential issues that may affect the District.
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Other
office and field duties as assigned by the Communications Director, Education
Manager or the District Administrator.
ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE CRITERIA:
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Develops
and maintains a working knowledge of the District’s operations and policies and
state rules and regulations necessary to complete assigned responsibilities in
a fully satisfactory manner.
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Develops
and maintains positive, cooperative, working relationships with all District
employees/consultants, city and agency staff, and other stakeholders of the
District in contributing to a productive results-oriented climate.
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Provides
superior customer service and interaction in a friendly, professional manner.
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Assists
other employees as needed to ensure efficient workflow throughout the District.
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Maintains
a flexible attitude toward job responsibilities and procedural changes.
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Prioritizes
workloads based on feedback from Communications Director and Education Manager.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
This position
requires a Bachelor’s Degree in natural resources or water resource science,
education, communications, or urban planning.
Applicants must have a minimum of 2-3 years of professional experience
in environmental education, communications, natural resources, or public
administration. Experience working for a
local government or water resource management agency is strongly desired.
Other requirements:
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Proficiency
with MS Windows XP professional operating system and MS Office Suite (MS Word,
MS Excel, MS Access, MS Power Point).
Knowledge of web editing software and desktop publishing software (Adobe
Creative Suite) are desired.
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Strong written
and oral communications skills for a variety of audiences.
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Flexibility
and ability to work with minimal supervision within a coordinated team
framework.
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Ability
to think and plan strategically.
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Sound
judgment.
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High
level of integrity and responsibility; commitment to values of mutual respect,
team work, diversity and support for the individual.
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Commitment
to environmental protection and grassroots action.
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Valid
driver’s license, ability to lift an approximately 50 pounds and willingness to
work some weekends and evenings.
To Apply: Submit letter of interest, resume, and job application to Telly
Mamayek, MCWD Communications Director at
tmamayek@minnehahacreek.org
or 18202 Minnetonka Boulevard, Deephaven, MN 55391.
Application Deadline: February 24, 2012
