Watershed Program Coordinator – Los Angeles Waterkeeper – Santa Monica, CA

Los Angeles Waterkeeper, a dynamic nonprofit organization founded in 1993 to protect and restore the Santa Monica Bay, San Pedro Bay and adjacent waters, is seeking a highly-motivated individual to join our team as Watershed Program Coordinator. The Watershed Program Coordinator will oversee Waterkeeper’s volunteer-based water monitoring and field investigation program that is used to further the organization’s policy work and litigation.

Responsibilities:

Recruit, train, and manage volunteers and interns for our DrainWatch water quality monitoring program that focuses on identifying and addressing the sources of pollution that impact Los Angeles County neighborhoods, rivers, streams, and beaches, as well as our S.W.A.T. (Storm Water Assessment Team) program to collect wet-weather samples.
Manage field investigation and water quality sampling related to ongoing and potential enforcement actions, including:
Coordinating logistical details of sampling events for wet and dry weather (planning sampling events, scheduling samplers, ensuring timely delivery of samples to lab, etc.);
Conducting field investigations to prepare for sampling;
Conducting wet weather sampling;
Conducting dry weather sampling when necessary;
Managing data related to field investigations and sampling, including: GIS data point, sampling results, field sheets, CoC sheets, and photos/video.
Respond to Pollution Hotline reports and track responses to ensure compliance.
Manage Waterkeeper’s in-office laboratory, and regularly update all water quality monitoring organizational documents and equipment including:
QAPP;
Standard Operating Procedures for wet weather and dry weather sampling;
Sampling equipment/materials including sampling containers, sampling forms, drain descriptions and photo catalogue, other equipment necessary to collect data (dustpans, funnels, flow meters, sampling poles, etc.).
Manage the organization’s participation in Waterkeeper Alliance’s Swim Guide, which requires updating the site/app with current water quality reports of local beaches and swimming areas provided by Los Angeles County.
Support Waterkeeper outreach efforts, educating and engaging students and partner organizations in our water monitoring and other watershed program activities.
Serve as a spokesperson to the media, decision-makers, and the general public.
Manage water quality data collected and provide technical support to promote better water quality policy through the Clean Water Act’s 303(d) list, Total Maximum Daily Loads, and enforcement based litigation, including testifying at public hearings and in court as needed.
Coordinate with local, state, and federal agencies and partner organizations to achieve common goals.
Support development of reports and other collateral materials that highlight our watershed program and water monitoring data (e.g., assessment of water quality improvements from LA Waterkeeper’s industrial stormwater enforcement campaign).
Participate in grant writing and reporting where relevant to program activities.
Participate in organizational outreach events and publications.

Qualifications & Requirements:

Advanced degree (M.S or Ph.D.) in marine or environmental sciences or related field and at least two years’ experience in environmental monitoring and assessment including field and laboratory work.
Experience developing and implementing community-based projects with emphasis on quality assurance and control.
Experience working with and motivating volunteers; ability to recruit, train, and supervise volunteers from different ages, backgrounds, and cultures.
Hard working, self-motivated, and a deep commitment and passion for improving water quality and building healthy communities.
Excellent writing and presentation skills; adept in distilling complex science concepts to non-scientists.
Familiarity with GIS, Excel, website management, and online advocacy tools.
Strong organizational and data management skills.
Experience with grant writing and reporting is a plus.
Spanish language proficiency preferred.

Physical Requirements

Travel to various meetings and sites throughout the county, which may involve exposure to traffic and weather conditions. Ability to hike or kayak into remote field sites to monitor water quality. Ability to walk over rough uneven or rocky surfaces during site visits.
Mobility to work in a standard office environment, use standard office equipment, and attend off-site meetings. On a continuous basis, sit at a desk for long periods of time; intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; operate a motor vehicle; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone, and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; and lift or carry weight of 50 pounds or less.

Salary, Benefits & Terms

Salary – $52,000-$58,000 based on experience

Benefits – Paid health, vision & dental insurance, vacation, sick leave

Start Date – As soon as filled (by December 1 preferred)

Location & Hours

This position is based in Santa Monica, CA but requires travel to field sites throughout Los Angeles County. This position requires flexibility to accommodate irregular daily demands, some weekend and evening work required.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Los Angeles Waterkeeper is an equal opportunity employer and highly values diversity. Los Angeles Waterkeeper maintains a policy of non-discrimination in regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other class protected by applicable state or federal law. Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

About Los Angeles Waterkeeper

Founded in 1993, Los Angeles Waterkeeper’s (Waterkeeper) mission is to protect and restore Santa Monica Bay, San Pedro Bay, the Los Angeles River, Ballona Creek and adjacent waters through enforcement, fieldwork, and community action. We work to achieve this goal through litigation and regulatory programs that ensure water quality protections in waterways throughout L.A. County. Waterkeeper is a proud member of the California Coastkeeper Alliance and is nearly 250 members of the international Waterkeeper Alliance, led by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Waterkeeper works not only on pollution issues specific to the Los Angeles area, but also with our Waterkeeper partners on issues of state-wide and national significance.

How to apply

To Apply

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and three references including contact information to jobs@lawaterkeeper.org by November 13, 2015.

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