THE OPPORTUNITY:
The WSU Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) Extension Program Unit and the WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center are part of the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS) of Washington State University. The ANR Unit and the Puyallup R&E Center seek a highly qualified professional in environmental sciences and water resources management to join a team of research and extension personnel dedicated to the application of research and practical interventions to reduce water pollution in the urban centers of Western Washington. Collaboration, teamwork, exceptional communication skills, and expertise in environmental sciences education are essential qualifications for this position to advance the WSU Stormwater Management/LID Extension Program. This position works closely with personnel of the Washington Stormwater Center, and is jointly responsible to the Director of the WSU Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Program Unit and the Director of the WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center.
JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position’s primary responsibility is to lead the WSU Extension outreach programs in green infrastructure, including stormwater management/ LID and related initiatives across Western Washington. The successful candidate must have graduate level training (MS required, PhD preferred) in environmental sciences or a closely related discipline and a keen understanding of research-based interventions that positively impact water quality in urban areas. The successful candidate must work effectively with existing interdisciplinary research personnel to connect the growing body of research in low impact development and stormwater management with managers and practitioners who can implement this knowledge for municipalities and cities across the region. The position will be headquartered at the WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Develop scholarly articles for publication in professional journals and peer-reviewed Extension bulletins, as well as other educational products for target audiences and the general public.
• Work closely with the Director of the Stormwater and Low Impact Development Center to extend the application of research and information generated by the center to target audiences and the general public.
• Develop and conduct high priority water quality outreach programs that focus on stormwater management and low impact development, and workcollaboratively with faculty across the region to extend information to target audiences and the general public.
• Acquire both financial and human resources through grants, contracts, and gifts to support the development and delivery of these programs.
• Direct and co-instruct the Puget Sound LID Technical Workshop Series that emanates from the Stormwater and Low Impact Research Center housed within the WSU Puyallup R&E Center.
• Develop an applied research program assessing implementation of Stormwater/LID practices suitable for municipalities and communities across the region; results of which should be publishable in appropriate professional journals.
• Manage and coordinate updates to the LID Technical Guidance Manual for Puget Sound.
• Develop and manage content for the LID web site (include website URL).
• Coordinate with other WSU Extension faculty regionally to design and deliver effective education and outreach programs addressing urban water quality issues across Western Washington.
• Build capacity to sustain and grow programs through constituent empowerment and/or leadership development
• Conduct informal and formal program need/opportunity assessments and utilize stakeholder input in formulating program plans.
• Document program impacts and make timely reports as required.
• Engage in professional development regularly and redirect efforts, as needed.
• Promote communications and effective working relationships between stakeholders and Washington State University.
• Engage diverse audiences and communities.
• Must be able to attain affiliate faculty status in an appropriate CAHNRS department.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Earned MS degree at the time of hire in environmental science, environmental engineering, or a closely related discipline.
2. Two years of experience in stormwater management or related discipline or earned Ph.D. at the time of hiring
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: (unranked order)
1. Experience or training in low impact development or urban planning that emphasizes research-based solutions to solve water quality problems in urban areas.
2. Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Engineering, or closely related field.
3. Excellent interpersonal skills with colleagues and external stakeholders
4. Demonstrated skills in verbal and written communication with a record of peer-reviewed publications commensurate with career level.
5. Demonstrated ability to conduct outreach programs in stormwater management.
6. Flexibility in exercising both leadership and team membership roles.
7. Demonstrated success with grants, contracts, and gift development.
8. Demonstrated ability to develop and carry out plans for fee-generating educational activities.
9. Demonstrated ability to use current computer technology and distance-bridging technologies to expand learning opportunities.
JOB EXPECTATIONS:
• Evening and weekend work is required.
• Ability to travel year-round using own reliable transportation (mileage reimbursed) is required. The successful candidate must possess a valid driver’s license. While using a private vehicle for official business, current automobile liability insurance must be obtained (meeting the requirements described in RCW 46.30.020, and RCW 46.09.090).
• Extension faculty members are hired into the organization, not into a specific geographical location. It is possible that future circumstances may require relocation.
• Understand and carry out the principles and specific requirements of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Affirmative Action Plan, and all pertinent rules and regulations.
SALARY:
Salary is commensurate with the candidate’s academic and professional qualifications and available
funding. State of Washington benefits and enrollment in TIAA-CREF are included. For more
information on benefits at
WSU, go to: http://www.hrs.wsu.edu/benefits.
LOCATION:
WSU Puyallup is a university center located within 50 miles of more than 60% of the state’s population. The Center has played a vital role in Washington for over a century, providing high quality research, extension and instruction programs. These programs support technological innovation, food production, natural resource stewardship, youth development, human nutrition and community enhancement. As an integral part of the College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences, and Extension, the Center is a lifelong learning campus for students, alumni and the public. There has been and continues to be a large and varied international presence including students, graduate students, post-doctorates, faculty and staff. The Center’s 125 faculty, staff and graduate students from 11 academic departments address complex biological, ecological and social issues. The 160-acre main campus is comprised of laboratories and offices, state-of-the-art greenhouses, a Master Gardener demonstration garden, 6 acres of certified organic farmland, and several acres of agricultural and natural resource plots. There are an additional 160 acres of research plots including turfgrass, berry breeding and disease, and poplar research at WSU Puyallup’s Goss Farm. The Low Impact Development and Stormwater Management Program at WSU Puyallup came into being as a major project funded by a grant from the Washington Department of Ecology. Working with other partners, the project has evolved with the construction of a unique demonstration, education and research program that coordinates the efforts of many departments, programs, and businesses. The Stormwater Center is one of the largest LID research facilities in the world. The program is located on the WSU-Puyallup campus and is a part of the Washington Stormwater Center—a collaborative partnership with the University of Washington-Tacoma Center for Urban Waters—which serves as a clearinghouse for stormwater technology, information, and permittee assistance. The Center maintains strong partnerships with a variety of federal, state, and local governmental agencies and non-profits.
For more information on the WSU Extension and the Puyallup Research and Extension Center, visit: http://puyallup.wsu.edu.
For more on the Washington Stormwater Center, visit: http://www.wastormwatercenter.org/.
THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL, HUMAN, AND NATURAL RESOURCE SCIENCES:
The College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS) at Washington State University is an expansive and diverse college that includes 15 academic departments and five research and extension centers distributed across the state. CAHNRS fosters disciplines that serve at the interface of scientific discovery and its application to the advancement of society and improvement of the human experience. Our mission is to provide global leadership in discovering, accessing, and disseminating knowledge that contributes to producing a safe, abundant food and fiber supply; promotes the well-being of individuals, families, and communities; enhances sustainability of agricultural and economic systems; and promotes stewardship of natural resources and ecological systems. In all dimensions of our mission, we strive to embody the signature “World Class. Face to Face.” motto of Washington State University. CAHNRS personnel embrace the opportunity to fulfill the university’s land-grant mission by making groundbreaking research discoveries, by utilizing innovative approaches to teaching and learning, and by delivering relevant, progressive extension programs that synergistically generate outcomes that enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Washington State, as well as for people around the globe.
For more information, visit http://cahnrs.wsu.edu.
To learn more about CAHNRS, visit: http://cahnrs.wsu.edu.
WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY:
Founded in 1890, Washington State University is a comprehensive land- grant university with teaching, research, and extension missions, and one of two research universities in Washington State. WSU is organized into 10 academic colleges, the Honors College, and the Graduate School. It has an enrollment of more than 26,000 undergraduate and graduate students on 4 campuses (Pullman, Spokane, Tri-Cities, and Vancouver) with approximately 20,000 students located on the main campus in Pullman, WA. WSU ranks among the top 60 public research Universities and is a Carnegie I, Doctoral/Research Extensive University. WSU strongly values diversity among its faculty, staff, and students and seeks to ensure a welcoming community for all.
Further information about WSU can be found at: www.wsu.edu