COORDINATOR, WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT 15050

(Competitive)

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

The work involves responsibility for facilitating implementation of the Onondaga County Water Quality Management Program by coordinating activities, studies, and issues of the program as well as having overall responsibility for administration, research, communication and liaison functions. The goal of the program is to study and implement policies to protect, safeguard, secure, enhance and develop Onondaga County's water resources. The incumbent acts as the chief staff person for the Water Quality Management Board and its members, and acts as liaison between these members, the Board Executive Committee, the Environmental Management Council and the Syracuse-Onondaga County Planning Agency and its Director or designee. The incumbent develops the agenda for water related issues for the Agency to discuss and review in a comprehensive, and extensive manner. The incumbent is responsible to perceive and develop major issues as well as effectively managing activities to ensure an active and effective program. All executive Committee meetings must be attended by the Coordinator, and he/she must be available for meetings and consultations between the various interested organizations. General supervision is received from an Administrator for Special Projects who allows the incumbent latitude for independent judgment and initiative in all areas of water resource study or water quality management program coordination and implementation. Supervision is not typically a function of this position. Does related work as required.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

Develops both short term and annual programs for the Onondaga County Water Quality Management Agency (WMQA) which concern all issues of water quality, quantity, and supply in Onondaga County.

Prepares detailed, technical and knowledgeable reports on topics analyzed by WQMA membership by data collection and collation, data analysis, development of findings, making recommendations, and report writing.

Contacts and collects data for report finding from federal and state resource regulatory personnel, County Department Heads, and private sector companies.

Presents topic recommendations in written and/or oral form to County Government elected officials.

Prepares for WMQA meetings by contacting members, citizen Chairman and the Environmental Management Council (EMC) Executive Director.

Attends meetings of the WQMA, the EMC, the Onondaga Lake Advisory Committee, the Finger Lakes Water Resources Board, et al.

Reviews technical and semi-technical material on water resources, limnology, water pollution, watersheds, public water supplies, etc.

Insures that studies of water resources performed under the Finger Lakes Aquatic Vegetation Control Program are being prepared in a timely fashion, and in a professional and expert manner.

Prepares grant applications as needed.

Assists the public with water resources related questions; assists in the development of public awareness materials.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Thorough knowledge of water resources, their use, function and importance in the community and to the environment.

Thorough knowledge of conservation and environmental issues as they relate to fresh water resources, watersheds, limnology, marshes, lakes, ponds, etc. Good knowledge of Onondaga County fresh water resources, their function, uses, future use, conservation, environmental management, etc.

Ability to recognize significant water resource issues and to guide citizen's advisory board to productive involvement in them.

Ability to read and interpret technical data relating to water resources.

Ability to present finding and recommendations to the Executive Office, County Legislature, and other governmental bodies.

Ability to prepare technical water use studies, water resource policies, and recommendations based on these studies or existing reports.

Utilizes appropriate methods for interacting effectively and professionally with persons of all ages and from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial and ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, lifestyles and physical abilities.

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MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A) Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a baccalaureate degree in the biological, physical or natural sciences and two (2) years of professional level work experience, or its

part time equivalent, in the scientific study of the biological, chemical, geographic or physical features of fresh water (lakes, ponds, marshes); or,

B) Four (4) years of work experience, in lab science, water quality studies, water shed studies, or work relating to biology, pollution, water quality, zoology, or any closely related field, and three (3) years of professional level work experience as defined in A above; or,

C) An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of A and B.

NOTE:

Possession of a masters degree in biology or a field closely related to limnology, water resources or environmental science or a field closely related to water resource study, from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university may be substituted for work experience defined above.

03/2017 Revised