Position Summary
The Western Region Watershed Outreach Coordinator position serves rural communities and provides programmatic, field, and fundraising support for MountainTrue’s Clean Water Program in far Southwestern NC and North GA. Based in MountainTrue’s Western Regional Office (WRO) in Murphy, NC, the WRO Watershed Outreach Coordinator will interact with community members and volunteers on several levels including recruiting, training, educating, and organizing for water quality monitoring and watershed health. The WRO Watershed Outreach Coordinator must understand the importance of attention to detail in science and provide good quality assurance and control in both field and lab practices. The WRO Watershed Outreach Coordinator must be comfortable working in both field and office settings, individually or with a team.
The MountainTrue Watershed Outreach Coordinator is:
Organized – enjoys managing a variety of projects & timelines, with self-directed systems and smooth execution of tasks needed to meet goals.
Analytical – capable of using scientific principles in data collection and analysis with a high level of attention to detail.
Engaging – adept at building relationships in-person or virtually and working with diverse people (e.g. youth, retirees, rural, urban, different cultural backgrounds, and people with varying levels of education or income).
Versatile – a problem-solver with the ability to make decisions in a changing environment and anticipate future program needs.
Loves Southern Blue Ridge Mountain waterways and is hopeful about our future.
Key Responsibilities
Water Quality Monitoring & Data Management
- Manage and expand volunteer water quality sampling programs, including Georgia Adopt-A-Stream, Swim Guide, and microplastics
- Manage data and review regularly to determine most impacted waterways; conduct further testing to determine pollution source; and work with the regional and/or program director to develop and implement a remediation strategy.
- Recruit/train volunteers and promote sediment pollution reporting using the Muddy Water Watch website/app.
- Review NPDES data in the region to ensure compliance and work with the regional and clean water directors to push for improvements, especially during the permit renewal process.
- Manage the summer water quality intern
Education / Outreach / Engagement
- Help publish the annual State of the River report/presentation for the western region
- Plan and implement an annual volunteer appreciation event
- Organize the Lake Chatuge Shoreline Cleanup
- Lead efforts to promote improved water quality through education and recreation
Fundraising
- Recruit sponsors for the Swim Guide program & Lake Chatuge Shoreline Cleanup
- Help secure auction items and raffle prizes for the Watershed Gala
- Assist with western region fundraising events
- Research and assist in the development of grant applications
Qualifications
Required Skills and Experience
- Completion of at least a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health/Science, Biology, Wildlife/Natural Resources Management, or a related field.
- Valid driver’s license and dependable personal vehicle.
- Excellent written and oral (including public speaking) communication skills. Must be willing to regularly use email as a primary communication tool.
- Familiarity with Microsoft Office and Google Suite programs and applications.
- Available on some nights and weekends for events and outreach.
- Committed to equity, inclusion, and social justice principles.
Location & Travel
This is a hybrid position with 1-3 days per week (depending on the season) required to be in the Western Regional Office in Murphy, NC. MountainTrue utilizes frequent virtual meetings and phone calls. This position requires fairly extensive daytime travel within southwestern NC and north GA with occasional longer day trips to other MountainTrue regions; travel costs are covered by the organization.
Compensation
This is a full-time 40 hr/week position starting at $48,000. Benefits package includes 20 vacation days per year; 12 holidays; sick, parental, and bereavement leave; sabbatical after five years; health insurance; simple IRA with employer contribution of up to 3%.
How to apply
*No longer accepting applications – application deadline has passed*
Email a cover letter, resume, and three references to jobs@mountaintrue.org. The subject line should read: “WRO Watershed Outreach Coordinator.” The cover letter should address your relevant skills/abilities and work experience and answer the following questions:
- Why do you want to be MountainTrue’s western region watershed outreach coordinator?
- What is your favorite waterway and why is it important to you?
- What familiarity do you have with living and/or working in rural communities?
The deadline for applications is April 24, 2025. The projected start date is July 7, 2025.