COMMUNITY EDUCATION COORDINATOR: PUBLIC WORKS at Town of Chapel Hill – Chapel Hill, North Carolina

This position creates, manages, and evaluates opportunities for public involvement; conducts analyses and prepares public communications, educational materials and presentations; plans and implements special events; plans and implements annual mandatory pollution prevention training for all Town staff.

This position also serves as an education resource for residents, staff, and media per the National Pollutant Detection and Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit requirements and in support of the mission and goals of the Stormwater Management Division and the Public Works Department as detailed in the Stormwater Master Plan (Phase 2). Permit requirements can be found in the current Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) on the Town’s website.

Required Written Response

All candidates must provide and attach responses to the following questions below in 150 words or less.

• What is your approach to understanding dense, technical topics?
• This position teaches audiences of all ages and backgrounds about complicated stormwater topics. What is your approach to designing educational experiences that meet the needs of different audiences?

Note: The list of essential functions below does not identify all duties performed by the incumbent in this position.

Responsible for the Public Education, public input, and Good Housekeeping components of the Town’s Stormwater Management Program (SWMP).

• Increases awareness of stormwater management and pollution prevention issues and opportunities by leading and/or collaborating with internal and external groups and agencies that have stormwater management programs or related goals.
• Creates and implements training and educational materials about pollutants for targeted audiences identified in the SWMP.
• Prepares materials and conducts training for best stormwater management practices per department for Town employees, including Stormwater 101, spill response training, and other topics as needed.
• Researches and applies for grants for targeted water quality and other related campaigns.
• Develops and updates stormwater management and other information as assigned on public webpages and other public communications.
• Manages and evaluates opportunities for public involvement by recruiting volunteers for special projects and/or events, (i.e., trash cleanups, storm drain marking, and water quality monitoring).
• Manages and evaluates opportunities for public input in coordination with the Town’s Communication and Engagement Teams.
• Plans, organizes, publicizes, and leads special events, workshops; designs and exhibits; develops and makes presentations to various community organizations; and develops and assisting schools with water quality and environmental related curriculum.
• Conducts analyses with implications for department operations and policy development and prepares related reports as assigned.
• Provides administrative support to management; performs special assignments and directs special projects as necessary.

Supervision Exercised

This position frequently directs interns and Program Support employees.

Physical Demands

The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table, with walking, standing, intermittent sitting or stooping required at special events. The employee uses equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity.

Work Environment

The work is typically performed in an office or offsite venues for special events and occasional water quality monitoring field work.

Knowledge of:

• principles, practices, techniques, and trends in environmental education and management;
• stormwater management and pollution prevention;
• principles, practices and trends in marketing, community outreach;
• principles, practices and trends in project management;
• strong communication skills and interpersonal awareness; and
• relevant federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.

Ability to:

• communicate technical information into plain language in verbal, written, and graphic forms;
• communicate strongly with interpersonal awareness;
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and media representatives;
• plan, organize, and lead special events;
• conduct analysis and provides recommendations;
• complete the North Carolina Environmental Educator Certification;
• develop and implement programs in alignment with the Town’s Plain Language Communication, Language Access, and Community Engagement Plans; and
• model behaviors that are consistent with our values of RESPECT.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the job.

Education

A bachelor’s degree in education, communication, business, marketing, biology, environmental science, performing arts, public administration, or a related field.

Experience
Three years of experience planning and managing education and outreach or other public events.

Licenses/Certificates

The possession of or the ability to obtain a valid NC driver's license and the availability of private transportation or the ability to provide transportation between job sites.

All candidates must provide and attach responses to the following questions below in 150 words or less.

• What is your approach to understanding dense, technical topics?
• This position teaches audiences of all ages and backgrounds about complicated stormwater topics. What is your approach to designing educational experiences that meet the needs of different audiences?