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Employment Opportunities
May 10, 2019 — We have an immediate opening for a Stormwater and Water Conservation Professional
Organizational Background
The Neponset River Watershed Association is a regional nonprofit conservation group working to protect and restore the natural resources of the 14-town watershed area that drains to the Neponset River in Greater Boston. The Association’s tight-knit and mission-driven staff of nine applies its expertise in watershed science, engineering, policy, and communications to the cross-disciplinary challenges of managing an urban watershed.
Two critical goals for the Association are to reduce stormwater pollution and restore more natural streamflow patterns in our highly developed watershed. Toward those ends, we work with municipalities and property owners to reduce polluted stormwater runoff, increase groundwater recharge, reduce peak flows, and reduce the volume of water diverted from the watershed by private and municipal water supply and wastewater management activities.
Position Description
The Association has an immediate opening for a full-time Stormwater and Water Conservation Professional. The Professional will work alongside our other program staff to provide technical assistance, training, and outreach to residents, business owners and municipalities on stormwater management and water conservation issues. This may include activities such as:
- Managing and communicating with the ten-municipality Neponset Stormwater Partnership which aims to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of municipal stormwater management and MS4 compliance programs by providing services and technical assistance on a regional basis.
- Working with businesses and municipal staff to prioritize, design and install stormwater BMP retrofits to improve water quality and fixture updates to increase water efficiency.
- Analyzing water use data to recommend and implement targeted water conservation outreach interventions and/or incentives.
- Contacting landscapers and retailers to encourage compliance with the MA fertilizer law and best practices.
- Delivering technical training and presenting information to municipal staff, business groups or local residents on stormwater and water conservation topics and organizing training to be delivered by third-party instructors.
- Planning and delivering educational outreach campaigns, such as mailings, websites, social media, videos or educational signage, working with municipal partners and volunteers to disseminate campaign materials. and evaluating the results.
- Providing technical support to colleagues working on stream and riparian corridor restoration, culvert replacement, and dam removal projects, and assisting colleagues with technical review of stormwater engineering reports and plan sets for site development proposals.
Applicant Qualifications
The successful applicant should have a bachelors or master’s degree in civil or environmental engineering, hydrology, geology, water resource management or a related field. Work experience with stormwater management, water supply, and/or wastewater management will be invaluable, as will experience working with municipalities. Experience with locating and designing stormwater best management practices and/or management of municipal water conservation programs will be very helpful.
The position requires strong analytical skills, including the ability to use spreadsheet, database, GIS and/or CAD software to collect and make sense of environmental and utility data and develop evidence-based strategies to achieve environmental results.
The position requires strong communication and interpersonal skills that will allow the Professional to effectively engage, educate, motivate and assist local residents, business owners, municipal partners, and volunteers in various settings including over the phone, through one on one interaction, group meetings, workshops, and written communications. Strong public speaking and project management skills are also required as the Professional will be coordinating the efforts of an in-house multi-disciplinary team.
Finally, the successful applicant will be excited about the opportunity to work in the nonprofit sector and apply their creativity and skills to produce tangible environmental results in partnership with a small team that has the freedom to focus on achieving meaningful conservation outcomes.
Position Details and Application Process
This is a permanent, full-time (40 hour per week) position. The schedule is very flexible and the position is based out of the Association’s office in Canton MA. Applicants must have their own transportation and be comfortable working outdoors on uneven terrain. The position requires occasional participation in evening or weekend meetings or events. The position reports to the Association’s Executive Director. Compensation is commensurate with experience.
Applicants should forward a resume and a cover letter explaining their interest and relevant qualifications via email to Ian Cooke, Executive Director at cooke@neponset.org. Please also indicate where you heard about the opportunity.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. We expect to begin scheduling interviews for promising candidates by mid to late May 2019.
Volunteer Positions
Citizen Water Monitoring Network Volunteers Needed!
“CWMN” is an important Water Sampling Volunteer Program that NepRWA has been managing for over 20 years.
Water Sampling Program
Volunteers are needed to collect water quality samples in Dedham and Norwood, as part of the Citizen Water Monitoring Network (CWMN). Sampling occurs once a month, on the second Thursday, from May through Oct.
We always need back up or fill-in volunteers to sample on days when our regular volunteers aren’t able to.
If you or anyone you know might be interested in helping us out, please email Andres Ripley at ripley@neponset.org.
Additional Volunteer Opportunities
Neponset RiverFest
Sat., July 20 from 10am-2pm
DCR Neponset Park, 180 Granite Ave., Dorcheste
RiverFest is a family-friendly, public event. Activities include FREE canoeing and kayaking, fishing clinics, kid’s activities, crafts, music, food trucks and more.
Volunteers needed for parking, set up and break down. Volunteers get a pass to the front of the boat rental line
More at www.neponset.org/riverfest
Road Crossing Assessment
Volunteers are needed to help measure stream crossings to identify culverts in the Neponset Watershed that need replacement. Must be able to navigate steep banks in waders. This project will take place throughout the year, weather permitting. Volunteers will be trained by NepRWA Enviro. Scientist, Chris Hirsch, at the NepRWA office in Canton.
Email Chris with questions at hirsch@neponset.org