Open Positions

Lake Program Coordinator

Date Posted: 1/8/2013
Deadline: 2/8/2013
Salary: $45-50,000
Status: Full Time

Summary

General Summary

The Lake Program Coordinator position will design, coordinate and implement an applied limnology program to support regional lake management efforts and provide applied learning opportunities for Northland College students. Typical work will include: development and implementation of lake monitoring and assessment activities; coordination and development of lake and aquatic plant management plans; collection, analysis and presentation of field data; collaboration with regional natural resource professionals, citizen groups and lake associations; training, leadership and mentoring of undergraduate student scientists; and, oversight of students during field experience courses.

Position Description

Major Duties and Responsibilities
Major duties and responsibilities include the following:

1. Coordinates the development of lake management plans.
a. Coordinates with regional natural resource managers and lake associations to develop lake management goals
b. Coordinates and leads stakeholder meetings
c. Conducts field assessments and monitoring (described below)
d. Utilizes appropriate watershed, water quality and hydrologic models to determine pollutant loads and water quality conditions
e. Interprets data and develops management recommendations
f. Develops management plans and summaries for technical and non-technical audiences
g. Develops and administers project budgets
h. Coordinates interim and final project completion reporting
i. Manages ongoing projects to ensure contract deliverable completion and fiscal compliance
j. Stays current on federal and state water quality standards

2. Designs, coordinates and conducts field sampling initiatives to develop and implement lake management plans.
a. Identifies sampling sites, measurement endpoints and sampling frequencies that effectively achieve the monitoring and assessment plan goals
b. Provides training and work direction for student workers, seasonal technicians and volunteers
c. Conducts and supervises field work to characterize the physical, chemical and biological integrity lakes. Field sampling will likely include:
i. Water and sediment chemistry, plankton, fish, macrophytes and shoreline/nearshore habitat
d. Conducts annual QA/QC audits to ensure quality for field data
e. Coordinates sample analysis and equipment calibration/maintenance with the Applied Research and Environmental Laboratory (ARELab)

3. Coordinates the implementation of applied research and stewardship projects
a. Works with landowners and natural resource professionals to develop and implement aquatic plant management and shoreline restoration plans
b. Develops long-term research goals to assist in the prioritization and evaluation of ongoing management initiatives and lake management practices
c. Summarizes data in technical reports and presents research findings
d. Develop lake and aquatic plant management grants on behalf of lake organizations and/or fee-for-service contracts to implement management plans
e. Develops and administers project budgets
f. Coordinates interim and final project completion reporting
g. Manages ongoing projects to ensure contract deliverable completion and fiscal compliance

4. Provides leadership, training and technical direction for student workers and mentors students in applied learning projects and field experience courses
a. Recruits, interviews and hires student workers
b. Trains and supervises students in the collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data
c. Mentors student interns and coordinates field experience courses that support the Northland College curriculum
d. Evaluates student performance; provides feedback and assigns grades

5. Represents the Northland College and the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute at public functions such as watershed management associations, local and state government committees, regional natural resource planning groups, and lake homeowner association meetings. Organizes and delivers public outreach events.

6. Keeps informed of current information, scientific studies, and best management practices in water resource assessment management.

7. Keeps supervisor promptly informed of pertinent matters.

8. Works collaboratively with Northland College faculty and SOEI staff on mutually-beneficial projects.

9. Performs related work as apparent or assigned.

Other Performance Standards

Effectively contributes to Institute team management, including leadership in one or more area of team functions; weekly staff meetings, periodic planning sessions, staff development activities, and Advisory Board meetings.

Prioritizes work activities to complete assignments by expected deadlines and makes the most effective use of time available.

Interacts with Institute and Northland College staff, students and faculty in a positive manner, supportive of goals of these entities.

Handles sensitive and confidential information in a businesslike manner.

Works cooperatively with the Chequamegon Bay Area Partners, non-profits, governmental agencies and the general public and actively promotes the Institute's mission within the region as an effective representative of the College.

Acts with the highest degree of responsibility in managing College funds, e.g., collection of program revenues, travel reimbursements, merchandise sales, membership donations.

Responsibilities

Qualifications
• Master's degree, or work experience equivalent, in limnology, aquatic ecology or closely related field, with at least two years of responsible experience in one of the above disciplines.
• Working knowledge of non point source pollution management, lake management, aquatic invasive species, shoreline restoration, limnology
• Field sampling techniques and equipment (e.g., water quality sampling, aquatic macrophyte sampling, shoreline assessment, plankton assessment)
• Working knowledge of nutrient loading (e.g., FLUX, P8 and SLAMM) and aquatic response models (e.g., WiLMS, BATHTUB and AQUATOX)
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Access, Excel and Word
• Working knowledge of basic Geographic Information and Global Positioning Systems
• Demonstrated success funding projects through the development of grants and contracts.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with departmental staff, governmental agencies, lake homeowner associations, volunteer groups and the general public.
• Ability to swim operate various watercraft is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and coordinate the work of others in conducting field projects.
• Superior writing and public speaking skills.
• Ability to think and plan strategically.
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical, written, or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Responsibility for the Work of Others

Designs and supervises student internships, temporary positions and directs students carrying out program activities as part of their course work. Assigns short-term projects to work-study employees.

Works with the Institute staff on planning, program implementation and evaluation.

Working Conditions

Position requires travel of several hundred miles per month and frequent evening and weekend work.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

The employee regularly works in outside weather condi¬tions year-round with regular exposure to cold temperatures sometimes below zero degrees and low wind chill. Conversely summer conditions are often hot and humid with exposure to biting insects, dust, pollen, and equipment exhaust fumes.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk on uneven and rough terrain as well as paved and unpaved trails; use hands and arms to handle and manipulate obje¬cts, tools, or controls; and operate foot controls on equipment. The employee frequently is required to stand. The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and talk or hear. When operating equipment, the employee is frequently exposed to bouncing, jostling, twisting, and turning of upper body. Ability to perform physical labor commonly encountered in aquatic field studies. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 100 pounds over distances of 150 to 300 feet. Employee must be able to load and unload a boat from a trailer independently.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements.

How to Apply

To Apply:

A complete application requires:
•A cover letter
•A resume
•Contact information for three professional references in PDF format

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer

Northland College has adopted a strategic initiative to increase the diversity of its faculty and staff. The College provides equal opportunity for all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Northland College is an affirmative action employer. People of color, women, and others who would provide diverse perspectives to our College are encouraged to apply for this position. AA/EOE

Apply for this position online or Back to Open Positions

If you would like to request more information regarding employment you can e-mail Human Resources at humanresources@northland.edu or call (715) 682-1841.