Description
Kentucky Waterways Alliance (KWA) is seeking our next Watershed Coordinator for the Red River Watershed in Eastern Kentucky. The Watershed Coordinator is an hourly non-exempt part-time position with a 20-hour average work week, occasionally coordinating with KWA’s Watershed Program Director, for additional work to advance the mission of KWA in the Eastern Kentucky region. The Watershed Coordinator may occasionally attend and/or speak at events to promote this project. This position reports to KWA’s Watershed Program Director.
Applicants should be based in or near the Red River area, ideally from the project area priority counties of Wolfe, Powell, or Menifee.
About Kentucky Waterways Alliance
Since 1993, KWA has been the only statewide non-profit organization focused on waterways in Kentucky. With a mission to protect, restore, and celebrate Kentucky’s waterways, our work is making a difference in the quality of life for all Kentucky residents, wildlife and visitors. Kentucky Waterways Alliance works with communities on local watershed issues and advocates for better policies and programs at the state and national levels.
Red River Watershed Project Responsibilities
The Watershed Coordinator is the primary point of contact for the public and agencies in the region for public outreach, education, and management practices that are funded by the US Forest Service managed Red River Watershed Septic & Education Project focused on reducing nonpoint source pollution. The Coordinator plans activities in coordination with other KWA staff and under the supervision of the Watershed Program Director and then carries out the work tasks as planned. The work tasks will change in terms of specific actions, but are guided by the following project goals, with an overarching goal of improving the water quality in the Red River and its tributaries in the watershed.
Environmental Education
Work with Forest Service and other partners on an environmental education program in local grade schools and the community.
Public Outreach
Conduct community activities, such as clean-up days, in partnership with Daniel Boone National Forest and Friends of Red River.
Conduct regular community watershed meetings in cooperation with the KWA Watershed Director and the Forest Service.
Educate landowners about onsite wastewater issues through workshops, public service announcements, mailed brochures, and individual contacts.
Plan, coordinate, and manage, in conjunction with Friends of Red River, the annual Red River Fest.
Management Practices
Publicize septic assistance program, recruit septic applicants, including educating local residents on pumping out, repairing, and replacing failing onsite wastewater systems.
Oversee bidding process for contractors doing repair, pump-outs, and installations.
Coordinate stream buffer improvements such as tree planting on private properties in the Red River Watershed, and with Forest Service partners inside the Daniel Boone National Forest property.
Develop criteria to measure progress toward meeting project goals.
Compensation
The ongoing work tasks for the Watershed Coordinator will be planned in coordination with their supervisor and may include additional tasks and responsibilities as assigned.
The position classification is hourly, non-exempt.
The position’s standard work week is 20 hours. If work hours are less than 20 hours in a given week, additional hours should be worked in a subsequent week or weeks within four weeks to maintain the average hours per week as close as is practical to 20 hours.
Work hours should not exceed 40 in any week without prior authorization from KWA’s Executive Director.
KWA can offer $21 per hour for this position. Pay is for hours worked per week.
This is a grant-funded position with an expected duration of approximately 22 months.
As a part-time staff person, the Watershed Coordinator will accrue paid holiday and leave time at half of the full-time rate.
The Watershed Coordinator is eligible to participate in KWA SIMPLE individual retirement plan (IRA).
Requirements
Valid driver's license.
Deep love and respect for the environment, culture, community, and history of the Red River Gorge.
Strong communication skills, both interpersonally and in writing.
Project management experience, including oversight of the bidding/contracting process.
Strong attention to detail and time management skills.
Event planning experience and environmental education experience are a plus.
Applicants should be based in or near the Red River area, ideally from the project area priority counties of Wolfe, Powell, or Menifee.
Applications are currently being accepted. KWA will start interviewing applicants on a rolling basis on 12/1/24, with a projected start date of 1/13/25. Interested applicants should submit a resume, cover letter explaining both their qualifications for this job and their interest in KWA’s work, and the contact information for three references to employment@kwalliance.org. No phone calls.
