Reports to: Executive Director/Riverkeeper

Job Classification:  Part-time

Location: Savannah, Georgia

Compensation: $23.00 per hour/20 to 30 hours of work per week

Job Summary: 

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to protect, preserve, and improve the water quality of the Ogeechee River Basin. ORK is seeking a highly motivated individual who is passionate about water quality restoration and protection of Georgia’s rivers, creeks, swamps, coast, and underground water resources to join our team as an Environmental Scientist. This position will work under the Executive Director/Riverkeeper.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

• Manage field investigations and water quality sampling related to ongoing and potential enforcement actions. 
• Manage and analyze water quality data. 
• Management of staff/volunteer use of the water quality lab. 
• Maintain continuous water monitoring stations/equipment.
• Assist in training and coordinating volunteer water quality sampling programs.
• Assist in tracking and investigating pollution reports or water quality issues.
• Assist in reporting issues to relevant agencies or authority, and following up on those reports.
• Assist with writing, implementing, tracking, and managing scientific research grants that assist in accomplishing ORK’s mission.
• Partner with similar organizations to compile data or fulfill grants.
• Compile and present results of data/research in the form of written and visual reports/presentations as needed.
• Assist with ORK’s fundraising efforts and events as needed.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications and Education: 

• A bachelor’s degree is required in a professionally-appropriate field.
• Experience/familiarity with water quality monitoring technologies, equipment, and procedures.
• Experience and proficiency in using ArcGIS geographical information software.
• Computer literacy including MS Office products: Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point.
• Proficiency in Google Workspace: Drive, Gmail, Calendar, Contacts, etc. 
• High degree of accuracy in data entry and reporting.
• The ability to multitask in a collaborative environment.
• Independent work ethic with a sense of urgency to complete tasks accurately and on-schedule.
• Capable of successfully working in diverse communities throughout the Ogeechee River Basin.
• Ability to monitor and collect water samples in areas that may be physically difficult to access. 
• Flexibility to accommodate irregular daily demands; some weekend and evening/night work may be required to capture storm and first-flush events. 
• Experience with grant writing and reporting.
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and proof of vehicle insurance.
• Detail-oriented; analytical problem solver.
• Experience and ability to operate motor boats, including backing boat trailers and loading boats on trailers.
• Drone pilot’s license, or willingness to acquire one. 
• Experience and ability to operate canoes and kayaks. 

Working Conditions

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an Environmental Scientist encounters while performing the essential functions of the role:

• Sitting, standing occasionally for long periods of time, extensive use of computer and associated keyboarding, repetitive motion, reaching, climbing stairs, and walking.
• Climbing stairs repeatedly throughout the workday.
• Ability to access, operate, and control watercraft as needed for water quality sampling.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends when needed; some late evenings.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to receive oral and written instructions in English and to clearly communicate in English in person, over the telephone, through email, and through other electronic means.
• The employee is required to visually or otherwise identify, observe, and assess. Special vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

DISCLAIMER

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by an Environmental Scientist. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required to do this role. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

About Ogeechee Riverkeeper: Ogeechee Riverkeeper 501(c)(3) works to protect, preserve, and improve the water quality of the Ogeechee River basin, which includes all of the streams flowing out to Ossabaw Sound and St. Catherine’s Sound. The Canoochee River is about 108 miles long and the Ogeechee River itself is approximately 245 miles long. The Ogeechee River system drains more than 5,500 square miles across 22 counties in Georgia. More at ogeecheeriverkeeper.org.