Location of Service: Knox Co Engineering and Public Works – 205 West Baxter Av

About Knox Co Engineering and Public Works:

This position is primarily focused on serving the Knox County Soil & Water Conservation District, with a secondary focus on serving the Knox County Stormwater Compliance department. The successful candidate will serve approximately 3 days per week at the Soil Conservation District and 2 days per week at the Knox County Stormwater Compliance, however this will vary depending on organizational needs and weather.

The Knox County Engineering and Public Works (EPW) Department is excited to partner with CAC AmeriCorps to deliver enhanced service to our constituents adn make available opportunities for members to experience the delivery of exceptional service. Knox County EPW is a diverse group of professionals committed to serving the public of Knox County through honest hard work. The Department is comprised of several grand divisions, including Strategic Planning, Development Services, Fleet Services, Solid Waste and Operations. Within Engineering and Public Works, the groups that the AmeriCorps members will primarily serve are Stormwater Compliance and Soil & Water Conservation, within the Strategic Planning division. The AmeriCorps members will be supervised by the Soil Conservationist and the Stormwater Compliance Manager.

Position Summary:

Knox County Stormwater Compliance:

• Knox Co Stormwater Compliance is tasked with ensuring the County complies with water quality and flooding regulations. Serving this department provides an excellent opportunity for members to build their resume and skill sets by engaging with the following projects and duties:
• Use GPS equipment to inventory stormwater infrastructure.
• Perform visual stream assessments.
• Perform chemical, biological, and physical assessments of local streams.
• Use GIS software (ESRI) to create maps and educational materials for the public.
• Engage with the public to increase knowledge about water quality and flooding.
• Participate in coordinated flood responses where necessary.
• Assess and survey residential properties affected, or potentially affected by hazards due to flooding.
• Assist with data entry within Knox County’s databases and GIS systems.
• Assist in the development and delivery of social media messaging, website content, brochures, and newsletters.
• Assist in the design, installation and maintenance of County-owned green infrastructure.
• Assist with pollution prevention activities including campus pollution source checks, composting, recycling, and cleanup day.
• Organize and participate in outreach and education events including classroom, after-school, and community events.

Knox County Soil & Water Conservation District:

• The Knox SWCD in partnership with NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to agricultural and non-industrial forest landowners through voluntary programs to install Agricultural Best Management Practices (Ag BMPs). Serving this department provides an excellent opportunity for members to experience working on conservation planning, agricultural conservation, GPS & GIS technology, project design and monitoring, and public education outreach. Duties include:
• Work in the office and the field to assist staff in providing conservation technical assistance.
• Assist in designing and reporting on Ag BMPs.
• Assist in the coordination and implementation of the Knox SCD’s education outreach projects which include but are not limited to watershed initiatives, training/workshops, farm tours, field days, annual banquets, and community events.
• Use GIS software (ESRI) to create maps and educational materials for the public.
• Assist with project documentation and data entry.
• Assist with surveying projects including using measurement tools such as laser levels, survey rods and tape measures.
• Assist the Program Coordinator and Soil Conservationist with general office functions including scheduling, preparing Board meeting documents, managing customer folders, and preparing for events.
• Assist in the development and delivery of social media messaging, website content, brochures, and newsletters.

The member(s) in this position will have the opportunity to gain the following skills/credentials:

• Agricultural conservation planning
• Water quality monitoring
• GPS/GIS work
• Event planning
• Conducting education and outreach events
• Tennessee Erosion Protection and Sediment Control Level 1 Certificate Program

Site Preferences/Qualifications:

• An ideal Member to serve our organization will be punctual, reliable, dependable, independent, focused, organized, responsible, motivated, and creative along with the following specific personal qualifications:
• Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in areas of study related to environmental conservation, Agriculture, natural resource management, engineering, landscape architecture, sciences, Geographic Information Science (GIS), or communications.
• Strong Microsoft Office knowledge, primarily Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Willingness and ability to work outdoors for extended periods of time while collecting data, and meeting with clients, in both fair and inclement weather.
• Knowledge of general natural sciences.
• Flexibility in the workplace and willingness to take on a range of tasks.
• Ability and/or willingness to learn to use technical tools e.g., GPS equipment, GIS software.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to collect, document, and maintain recorded information.
• Ability to successfully complete projects within a team and individually.
• Ability to effectively communicate and coordinate with others, both verbally and written.
• Ability to take direction while also showing initiative in daily tasks.
• Creative, independent, personable, motivated, dependable, and professional.
• A valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to and from the office.
• Ability to demonstrate punctuality, professionalism, and courtesy in the workplace.

Equity and Inclusion: The Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee (CAC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will take action to ensure that members and employees are treated equally without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, gender, romantic/sexual orientation, age, handicap, cultural or religious convictions.  CAC AmeriCorps provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees.  Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation at any point in the recruitment / employment process.