Urban BMP Specialist

~ Capitol Region Watershed District (CRWD) covers 40 square miles and includes portions of the cities of Falcon Heights, Lauderdale, Maplewood, Roseville and Saint Paul. Located within Ramsey County, CRWD has a population of 225,000 people. CRWD drains to the Mississippi River, its primary water resource. CRWD lakes include Como Lake, Crosby Lake, and Loeb Lake in Saint Paul and Lake McCarrons in Roseville. ~

CRWD originated from a small group of dedicated citizens who wanted to protect Como Lake. They petitioned the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) to create a watershed district, and in 1998 CRWD was formed. CRWD is a special purpose local unit of government created to manage and protect part of the Mississippi River Basin, along with the District's wetlands, creeks and lakes that drain to the river.

CRWD is governed by a five-member Board of Managers that guides CRWD in the implementation of its Watershed Plan adopted in 2010. The work of CRWD is carried out by thirteen staff members. 

Position Overview

CRWD seeks an Urban BMP (Best Management Practices) Specialist. The Urban BMP Specialist coordinates planning, design, and construction of green infrastructure practices and other stormwater best management practices (BMPs).

The Urban BMP Specialist is also responsible for coordinating inspection and maintenance of the District-owned and operated BMPs and updating and maintaining an electronic database of District-funded, owned, or permitted BMPs. A bachelor of science degree or equivalent is required for this position.  

Primary Objective: 

• Perform skilled to highly skilled duties related to the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of green infrastructure practices and other stormwater best management practices (BMPs) in the District. 

Position Objective: 

• The Urban BMP Specialist coordinates the planning, design, and construction of green infrastructure practices and other stormwater BMPs.
• The specialist is also responsible for coordinating the inspection and maintenance of the District-owned and operated BMPs and updating and maintaining an electronic database of the District-funded, owned, or permitted BMPs.
• This position also serves as a technical resource to other staff in permitting, education and outreach, and capital improvement programs. 

Responsibilities  

Essential Functions: The Urban BMP Specialist is responsible for: 

• Managing and implementing the District's Stewardship Grant Program which includes communicating with interested applicants, grantees, and consultants, coordinating green infrastructure practice design by outside consultants, reviewing green infrastructure plans, providing technical assistance, administering cost-share grants and inspecting projects during construction.
• Coordinating the inspection and maintenance of District-owned and operated BMPs.
• Updating and maintaining an electronic database of District-funded, owned or permitted BMPs.
• Coordinating watershed projects with District partners including boulevard rain garden design and construction.
• Developing and implementing subwatershed and site-specific feasibility studies. 

Additional Functions: 

• Providing technical support for the District's Master Water Stewards Program, which may include presentations about rain gardens and District projects, identification of potential water quality improvement projects, and BMP project guidance and assistance to the Master Water Stewards.
• Conduct GIS work to support District programs and projects.
• Provide technical and field support to other District programs including monitoring, education and outreach, and permitting.
• Research and stay abreast of new and emerging trends in stormwater management. Work with District staff and programs to incorporate effective new technology and systems into District programs and projects.
• Effectively communicate watershed issues and projects at meetings, conferences, before the media, and to other units of government, Board of Managers, partner organizations and public.
• Coordinate watershed management activities in the District involving other governmental agencies and private and non-profit entities. 

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

• None, unless otherwise assigned.

Responsibility for Public Contact: 

• High level of public contact requiring tact, courtesy and good judgment. 

Note: The functions described above are intended only as illustrations of various types of work performed and are not necessarily all-inclusive. This position description is subject to change as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change. 

Qualifications 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor of Science degree, or equivalent in the field of water resources, engineering, earth science, watershed management, landscape design or related field.
• Masters of Science degree is preferred.
• Strong understanding of stormwater management, green infrastructure practices and other stormwater BMPs, urban hydrology and water quality are essential.
• Experience with siting, design, plan review and/or construction inspection of green infrastructure and other BMPs is preferred. Minimum of 4 years of professional experience including project management is required. 

Knowledge, Skills & Abililities:

Technical and Policy 

• Knowledge of and working experience with green infrastructure and stormwater BMP planning, design and construction.
• Knowledge of watershed management, surface and groundwater hydrology, natural resource management, soils and MN native plants.
• Knowledge and experience working with ArcMap and ArcGIS online.
• Familiarity with BMP design software and watershed/water quality assessment models (e.g. HydroCAD, P-8, MIDS, SWMM).
• Ability to analyze technical data and write technical reports and memos.
• Ability to review and interpret construction drawings, diagrams and specifications.
• Demonstrated knowledge of local, state, and federal stormwater programs and regulations. 

Project Management 

• Strong project management skills with ability to establish priorities, balance large volumes of diverse work and implement projects successfully.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and skill in project scope of work and budget development.
• Proven ability to manage and coordinate work and provide direction to consultants and contractors.
• Proven ability to take direction from supervisor and colleagues, work successfully with considerable independence and use good time management skills.
• Excellent conflict management and interpersonal skills.

Communication 

• Strong written and oral communication skills including ability to write successful grant requests.
• Ability to develop effective cooperative relationships with technical and policy staff, state and local government officials, and private entities and citizens.
• Ability to effectively lead teams of technical and policy staff, including those of partner and stakeholder organizations.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with the District's Administrator, Planning, Projects and Grants Program Manager, and other staff. 

Other 

• Must have valid Minnesota driver's license and have vehicle available for periodic business use on a mileage reimbursement basis. The vehicle must have insurance approved by the District. 

Compensation: Salary range is from $46,400 - $69,600 and initial salary depends on qualifications and experience. This salaried postion is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

To Apply 

• Please use the email address below to send a cover letter and resume to Belinda Gardner, the District's Administrative Assistant.
• Applications are due on November 14, 2016.  

~ The Capitol Region Watershed District will not discriminate against or harass any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or status with regard to public assistance.

Capitol Region Watershed District embraces and values diversity and seeks to recruit, promote and retain employees that reflect the community we serve. We believe that diversity enriches the workplace and enhances the quality of our service. Capitol Region Watershed District encourages anyone who is interested and qualified to apply for open positions. ~