Title: Volunteer Citizen Science and Education Coordinator
Requisition Id: 4001
Salary: $58,116.00 - $72,528.00
Salary Grade: S9
Job Location: Commission Headquarters (JEFFE1)
Closing Date: June 13, 2025
Our Culture: The Missouri Department of Conservation supports a culture of trusted professionals that is dedicated to our mission, responsible stewards, and believe in One MDC.
To learn more about the job, feel free to contact the hiring supervisor,Rebecca A O'Hearn at Rebecca.O'Hearn@mdc.mo.gov or at573 5224115x3155, during regular business hours. We would love to hear from you!
Summary/Objective
Coordinates volunteer educational curricula and citizen science projects for the Department’s interagency Missouri Stream Team and Master Naturalist programs.
Essential Job Duties
- Serve as volunteer coordinator for citizen science projects utilizing the Department’s Stream Team and Master Naturalist volunteers.
- Connect scientists from the Department, external agencies, universities, and organizations with Stream Team and Master Naturalist volunteers who are interested in participating in citizen science.
- Ensure volunteers participating in citizen science stay engaged by recognizing and rewarding their efforts and regularly communicating the results of their initiatives.
- Collaborate with Advocacy partner, Stream Teams United, and scientists to develop methods and techniques for citizen volunteers to use in educating local citizens, planning and zoning board and county governments, as well as for field staff to monitor water quality.
- Collaborate with program partners to analyze water quality and biological data collected by Stream Team volunteers.
- Collaborate with internal and external program staff, subject matter experts, and Education and Communication branches to regularly review and update the Stream Team and Master Naturalist programs’ core and advanced curriculums.
- Oversee the creation and publication of core training materials such as training videos, notebooks, and pamphlets.
- Coordinate the creation and publication of supplemental educational material requested by volunteers and proposed by Volunteer Engagement Specialists and external program partners.
- Develop and disseminate internal training for regional staff related to Stream Team and Master Naturalist programs.
- Serve as the Event Management data Quality Control Officer for Master Naturalist and Stream Team programs.
- Coordinate with volunteer program staff to ensure all processes and procedures are documented. Collate standard operating procedures and quality assurance data plans. Identify inefficient business procedures and coordinate with Operational Excellence and volunteer program staff members to streamline processes.
Ancillary Job Duties
- Serve on interdisciplinary internal resource management and science teams.
- Other duties, as assigned.
Education and Experience
- Master’s Degree in Stream Ecology, Limnology, Fisheries Biology, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, Geology, or related field.
- At least three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience in water quality.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of water quality and aquatic organism requirements.
- Understanding of research design and analysis procedures and techniques.
- Ability to develop and sustain cooperative working relationships.
- Ability to accept change and new information and cope with extreme job pressure and stress.
- Ability to coach and challenge others to achieve their potential.
- Ability to create and sustain an atmosphere in which timely, quality information flows between self and others and express facts and ideas in a convincing manner whether one-on-one or within or before groups.
- Ability to use office equipment, such as copier, multi-line phone system, fax machine, scanner, and computer.
- Time management and organizational skills.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Understanding of natural resource ecology and management.
Work Environment
- Regularly work in a standard office environment.
- Occasionally required to work in outdoor environments.
Physical Abilities
- Remain in a stationary position 70% of the time.
- Move about grounds, both inside and outside of buildings.
- Constantly operate a computer and other office productivity machinery.
- Frequently communicate and exchange accurate information.
- Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less and 20 feet or more, three-dimensional vision, and precise hand-eye coordination.
- Regularly lift up to 5 pounds, correctly lift up to 50 pounds.
- Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.
Disclaimer
This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; an employee will also perform other reasonably related job responsibilities as assigned by immediate supervisor and other management as required. The Missouri Department of Conservation reserves the right to revise or change job duties as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. Management reserves the right to change job descriptions, job duties, functions, and requirements.
Exemption Status/Special Notes
This position has been determined to be Exempt according to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Employees must agree to accept compensatory time in lieu of cash payments in accordance with the Department's Compensatory Time Off and Overtime Policy.
Salaried and hourly employees are expected to use a mobile device-cellular phone for Department business, as needed.
MDC promotes a Tobacco-Free (smoke and smokeless) working environment.
The Department of Conservation will only hire United States citizens and aliens authorized to work in the United States. All new employees will be required to complete an "Employment Eligibility Verification" (Form I-9) and produce requested documentation after employment.
Candidates seeking initial employment or re-employment must submit to a drug screen following offer of employment.
All persons employed with the state of Missouri shall file all state income tax forms and pay all state income taxes owed.
Nearest Major Market: Jefferson City
Nearest Secondary Market: Columbia Missouri