Community Environmental Management Specialist

LOCATION NOTE:  This is a telecommuter position, requiring the incumbent to be located in one of the following states and be willing to travel, as conditions allow and as necessary, to client locations.

Job Description

Position:                                 Community Environmental Management Specialist (CEMS)

Immediate Supervisor:          State Environmental Coordinator

Mission Focus:                        Environmental Services          

Summary of Position

The Community Environmental Management Specialist position provides onsite technical; managerial; financial; development; and GIS Mapping capacity building assistance and training to small (under 10,000 population) community environmental management systems. The six (6) main focus areas for this position are as follows:

• Assist CEMS Operators and other Staff through technical assistance to build Technical capacity to ensure compliance with federal and state environmental regulations;
• Assist CEMS Management and Board Members through technical assistance to build Managerial capacity of small water and wastewater systems;
• Assist CEMS Management and Board Members through technical assistance to build Financial capacity of small water and wastewater systems;
• Facilitate / Deliver Environmental Training to CEMS Board Members, Managers, Operators, and other CEMS Staff;
• Facilitate / Deliver Environmental Training to technical assistance providers at RCAP Training Conferences and CU Environmental In-Service Training events;
• Coordinate and liaison with Community Members, Board Members, Infrastructure Funding Agencies, Project Engineers, and Attorneys in planning and implementing CEMS Infrastructure Development for small community water and wastewater systems.

Education / Certification Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree is required. Preference is given for a degree in environmental science, public administration, business, management, finance, or closely related field. Current Water or Wastewater Operator Certification with experience in operating and/or managing community environmental management systems is a plus. 

Must have a valid driver's license and reliable personal vehicle for travel to project communities.

Must be authorized to work in the USA

Experience/Skills Requirements

A minimum of 5 years of employment experience working with rural community development programs, community environmental systems, environmental science, and/or in conducting small group training is required. 

A successful Community Environmental Management Specialist will be able to: 

• Effectively communicate in both written and verbal formats; 
• Deliver results in an environment with high-degree of self-directed time management and project management;
• Understand basic financial statements, operational and capital improvement project budgeting; 
• And, deliver high degree of accuracy with attention to detail in work products. 

The position requires travel throughout the state in which this position is located to provide community environmental system technical assistance and training. This travel may average 15 hours or more per week, driving to communities and may include overnight stays away from the office location. In addition, periodic travel to CU staff meetings, RCAP national meetings, or other meetings in other states is required and may be accomplished by the most cost effective means to CU (private vehicle, air, or other public transportation).

Job Performance Standards:

Tools Used in Job

Proficient use of a computer, internet, smart phone (texting, email, photos, videos, social media, and calls), web-based databases for data-entry, Microsoft Office suite including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint is required.  Use of additional software for project related activities may be required and training will be provided.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described above are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Communities Unlimited offers generous Medical/Dental/Vision benefits with the organization paying the significant majority of the cost. Company paid long-term disability; automatic company 401K contribution once new hires are eligible; 401K match; 12 paid holidays; two weeks paid vacation awarded upon hire (Prorated based upon date of hire); new hires begin accumulating sick leave immediately upon hire at a rate of 8 hours per month. Communities Unlimited reimburses all employees for travel expenses.