Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator

~ With the gentle rolling landscape carved by the glaciers and towered by the historical landmark of Holy Hill, Washington County provides an interesting atmosphere for family living, business, and industry. ~

Washington County has well-known major manufacturing industries including: machine tooling, metal fabrication, printing, pharmaceutical distribution, photo finishing, and trucking. Our convenient location along the US Highway 45 and US Highway 41 corridors makes us an ideal location for trade, business, and retail. 

Ancient glaciers, inland lakes and woodlands form the foundation for a variety of recreational activities. Hiking, hunting, boating, fishing, golfing, skiing, and snowmobiling are among the many outdoor activities for sport enthusiasts. The Ice Age National Service Trail provides for the enjoyment of wild flowers and wildlife appreciation. 

Position Overview

Washington County, located in West Bend, Wisconsin, has a great opportunity awaiting for you in the Planning and Parks Department as an Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator. This unique position is shared fifty percent (50%) with Waukesha County through an Intergovernmental Cooperative Agreement. We are seeking an outgoing, self-motivated, highly organized individual with strong verbal and written communication skills. The selected candidate is responsible for developing and implementing, in each county (Washington and Waukesha), a coordinated countywide strategy, relevant programs, and effective partnerships for preventing and controlling the spread of aquatic invasive species.

Responsibilities

• Implement the countywide AIS Strategic Plan—Carries out the goals, objectives and recommendations of the countywide plan for AIS prevention and control.
• Coordinate a countywide network of AIS partners—Creates, expands and nurtures an active network of stakeholders interested in AIS issues in the county.  Creates connections and coordinates County activities within our region and with statewide AIS coordinators.
• Clean Boats, Clean Waters—Serves as county coordinator for Clean Boats, Clean Waters (CBCW) watercraft inspection activity.  Works with statewide CBCW coordinator to streamline delivery of training and materials.  Maintains working list of lakes with active CBCW efforts and prioritize lakes for new CBCW efforts.
• Citizen Lake Monitoring—Serves as county coordinator for Citizen Lake Monitoring Network (CLMN) aquatic invasive species monitoring.  Works with statewide CLMN coordinator to streamline delivery of training and materials.  Maintains working list of lakes with active CLMN efforts and prioritize lakes for new CLMN efforts.
• AIS Grant Mentorship & Coordination—Works with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) Lake Coordinator and Grants Specialist, assisting local groups in preparation of AIS grant applications.  As needed, serves as liaison between WDNR staff and local groups in project development and implementation.  Mentors local groups to ensure that submitted applications are complete, realistic, and in line with statewide grant investment goals.
• Statewide AIS Coordinator network—Participates in statewide network of county AIS coordinators, including semi-annual meetings, email listserv, and other raining/networking forums.  Maintains communication with statewide AIS Education Specialist.
• Completes all necessary AIS grant reports and share success stories and photos with statewide AIS contacts and ensures complete and accurate data reporting into SWIMS.
• Education & Outreach—Creates and maintains tailored outreach material: monthly E-news, social media, press releases and web pages.  Develops additional tools (e.g. signs, placemats, newspaper and radio ads, etc.) as needed.  Works with statewide AIS Education Specialist when creating new materials to ensure consistency and efficiency. 
• Develops relationships with local media to highlight successful AIS efforts.  
• Rapid Response—Works with appropriate monitoring personnel and WDNR staff to identify, confirm and coordinate rapid response to new AIS populations before they become established.
• Aquatic Plant Management—Works with lake groups to monitor and map aquatic plants and develop native plant protection and invasive plant control plans.  Helps plan, implement, and conduct aquatic invasive species treatment strategies as needed.
• Mapping & Inventory—Works with the County Geographic Information System (GIS) to develop countywide maps for particular AIS species of concern (e.g. purple loosestrife).  Ensures that monitoring is conducted in a way that yields data that are reliable, accurate, and compatible with the statewide data tracking systems (SWIMS).
• Countywide Biocontrol—Organizes and expands existing countywide efforts for purple loosestrife biocontrol, working with multiple partners.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including responding to an emergency event.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• 2 years of post-high school education in Natural Resource Management or related field and 3 years of relevant work experience required.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Resource Management, Water Resources Management, Limnology, Plant Biology, Botany or related field and a minimum of one year relevant work experience preferred. 
• Must possess a valid Wisconsin driver’s license, operate a motorized watercraft and possess a WI DNR boating safety certificate or must be able to obtain within 6 months of hire. 
• Scuba diving experience (e.g. PADI certification) beneficial. 
• Demonstrated experience in building networks and coordinating projects with multiple stakeholders; experience and skills with conflict management beneficial. 

Compensation

• Starting hourly rate $22.76 - $24.05, based on experience.  
• This is a full-time grant funded position. 
• Current grant funding is available through 2019.
• Washington County offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes:  Health, Dental, and Life Insurance; Short and Long Term Disability; Medical and Dependent Flexible Spending Accounts; Wisconsin Retirement System and Wisconsin Deferred Compensation (IRS 457); Holidays and Paid Time Off (PTO).

To Apply

• Washington County is recognized for our commitment to providing quality services to the citizens of our community. 
• Please click "Apply on Company Website" below to complete our online application. 
• Applications will be accepted until the needs of the Department are met. 
• If you have any questions, please call (262) 335-4633. 
• Thank you for considering Washington County.

~ Washington County is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans, and Individual with Disabilities ~