Watershed Projects Coordinator

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The Department of Environmental Services (DES) is seeking a Watershed Projects Coordinator to join our team! The Sustainability and Environmental Management Division manages the County’s regulatory and stewardship programs focused on water quality, stream health and climate resiliency.

This position coordinates capital project implementation under the County’s $25 million ten-year water quality capital program and holds primary responsibility for administering the County’s Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance and related regulatory program. 

Major Job Duties:

• Working closely with the Watershed Programs Manager to implement the water quality capital program, including planning, scheduling and prioritizing water quality project implementation;
• Leading internal and external project teams, and coordinating the work of other project managers;
• Managing individual stream, wetland, outfall repair, or green infrastructure water quality capital projects, with potential budgets of several million dollars, from concept through completion;
• Managing assessment, design, procurement, and construction processes to ensure efficient delivery of stream and watershed projects;
• Ensuring appropriate post-construction maintenance and monitoring of water quality projects to achieve regulatory objectives;
• Coordinating with regulatory agencies, departments, and work units to support program, Division, and DES goals and achieve Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Chesapeake Bay nutrient reduction targets; and
• Coordinating Chesapeake Bay regulatory activities, including comprehensive plan and regulatory updates, data tracking, plan review, enforcement activities, reporting, and collaboration with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.

The ideal candidate will be a discerning, strategic leader with a demonstrated ability to solve problems and work collaboratively with a wide variety of stakeholders to fulfill local government regulatory mandates. The ideal candidate will also have experience navigating the unique challenges and complexities inherent in delivering stream and watershed projects at the local level while meeting rigorous schedule, budget and regulatory goals, and be able to demonstrate strong interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, Landscape Architecture or a related field from an accredited college or university; and
• Three years' progressively responsible experience in the area of Environmental Planning, Environmental Management, or other related program areas such as urban stormwater or watershed capital planning, and managing multiple stream, wetland, outfall or green infrastructure water quality capital projects.

Substitution(s): Additional education may be substituted for experience.

Desirable Qualifications: Preference may be given to applicants with a Master’s Degree and experience in one or more of the following:

• Collaborating with stakeholders including commissions, residents, civic associations, utilities, and government agencies to enact stream, wetland or watershed projects;
• Leading or coordinating teams to implement/assess stormwater or watershed programs and/or projects;
• Implementing stormwater development requirements or managing stream or wetland regulatory compliance;
• Reviewing or developing capital project budgets; and/or
• Public speaking, writing or editing.

Special Requirements

Letter of Interest: A complete application includes a letter of interest. Please attach your letter to this application detailing your background and experience and how they have prepared you for this position.

Resume Requirement: A complete application includes a resume. Please attach your resume to the application and verify that the details of your application provide further evidence of your experience and qualifications as displayed on your resume.

Background Check: A pre-employment criminal records check will be conducted. It will include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You will be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background inf