JOB TITLE: WATERSHED MANAGER, DEP

JOB CODE: 75700

DEFINITION: This is professional managerial work directing, developing, promoting, and coordinating a comprehensive watershed management approach to environmental protection within the Department of Environmental Protection. An employee in this job develops and supports federal, state, and local interest and action in addressing environmental concerns on a watershed basis. Work involves identifying opportunities to integrate watershed management concepts and strategies; and ensuring that available technical and financial resources are both widely distributed and sufficiently targeted to protect, enhance, and restore watersheds throughout the commonwealth. Work includes facilitating the formation and efficient operation of local watershed associations; providing technical assistance and training on watershed management issues; participating in local grant management and statewide grant program support activities; developing and evaluating watershed restoration and watershed protection plans; promoting, coordinating, and prioritizing watershed environmental improvement projects; serving as an agency representative and liaison for watershed matters; and participating in watershed program development, coordination, and evaluation. An important aspect of this work involves resolving complex and interrelated environmental issues within a watershed through the application of commonwealth environmental protection programs. Work is assigned on a watershed basis and is reviewed upon completion by a supervisor for attainment of goals and objectives and for overall program quality.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Manages the development, implementation, and evaluation of the watershed approach to environmental protection within an assigned geographic area.

• Coordinates watershed initiatives and outreach activities with various environmental programs, watershed associations, organizations, citizen groups, and governmental agencies within the assigned area.

• Facilitates effective cross-media environmental management through the regional watershed teams, coordinates and prioritizes regional projects, and advocates the integration of watershed management into all regional programs.

• Improves environmental quality by eliminating public health and safety hazards within targeted watersheds impacted by extractive mineral industries, and by assessing and overseeing the rehabilitation of watersheds through the integration of various restoration programs.

• Coordinates and prioritizes district watershed projects, directs the development and maintenance of district restoration plans, and coordinates the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program.

• Provides technical assistance regarding a wide range of watershed management issues to agency staff in the field and central office, state agencies and commissions, watershed organizations and associations, local governments, and county conservation districts.

• Coordinates watershed training programs by designing curriculum, consulting with central office on revisions to statewide offerings, coordinating events, evaluating program effectiveness, and assisting adjacent regions and offices with training.

• Coordinates grant management activities within an assigned watershed by assisting in the preparation and submission of grant applications, communicating sources of funding to local groups, assisting local groups in managing grants, defining and coordinating new projects across the region and watersheds, and providing project closeout and audit assistance.

• Participates in statewide grant program support by developing program and policy guidance, coordindating watershed activities in relation to grant programs, and developing grant selection criteria and project management practices.

• Develops and reviews watershed restoration and protection plans and develops, prioritizes, and coordinates related program support projects.

• Plans and conducts watershed meetings in conjunction with cooperating groups and agencies and provides information on program contacts to federal, state, regional, and local agencies and organizations.

• Leads agency strategic planning initiatives such as the environmental futures process in the context of specific watersheds.

• Advises program managers and senior managers on watershed management issues and initiatives.

• Facilitates the formation and expansion of local watershed associations, provides guidance on association structure and organization, and assists in matching association mission and goals with the interests and technical capabilities of its membership.

• Evaluates watershed management programs to determine their effectiveness.

• Participates in program and policy development for the watershed management aspects of statewide environmental regulatory programs.

• Provides program coordination between offices and with watershed organizations, other state agencies, citizens’ groups, and governmental entities.

• Establishes and maintains information for watershed planning, funding, technical assistance, best management practices, and related topics.

• Promotes and participates in watershed and nonpoint source related technology research, development, and transfer.

• Provides assistance on the application of geospatial information systems and database systems for watershed management.

• Represents the department before internal and external groups, including local governments and federal, state, and regional agencies and organizations and serves as a liaison on watershed management with other commonwealth agencies, statewide groups, and associations.

• Participates in multi-region, statewide, multi-state, and international workshops, meetings, conferences, and outreach activities related to watershed management.

• Develops local watershed publications and ensures that accurate information is published in a timely manner.

• Prepares letters, correspondence, reports, and other written materials.

• Operates motor vehicles.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• An employee in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the biological, chemical, and physical sciences and treatment processes related to environmental protection.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of resource conservation as applicable to watershed protection and restoration.

• Knowledge of laws, regulations, policies, and procedures governing environmental protection.

• Knowledge of the procedures and techniques used in environmental program inspections.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of environmental planning.

• Ability to develop and deliver training and presentations related to watershed management issues and topics.

• Ability to read and interpret engineering reports, drawings, plans, specifications, topographic and geologic maps, and flow schematics.

• Ability to read and interpret regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work assignments.

• Ability to operate motor vehicles.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities.)

• Three years of professional experience in environmental protection, environmental regulation, or resource conservation and a bachelor’s degree in biological or environmental science, environmental protection, resource conservation, engineering, or a closely related field;

or

• Seven years of experience in environmental protection, environmental regulation, or resource conservation which includes three years of experience in a professional capacity;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training which includes three years of professional experience in envirommental protection, environmental regulation, or resource conservation.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• All positions require possession of an active motor vehicle license.