Water Quality & Outreach Specialist

March 24, 2026

Position Title: Water Quality & Outreach Specialist

Organization: Prairie Rivers of Iowa Resource, Conservation & Development

Location: Ames, Iowa

Reports to: Executive Director

Position Summary                  

 The Water Quality & Outreach Specialist coordinates and implements watershed monitoring and community science programs for Prairie Rivers of Iowa. Working in partnership with local governments, conservation organizations, and volunteers, the position integrates field sampling, laboratory results, volunteer monitoring data, and watershed research to evaluate water quality conditions in local watersheds.

The Specialist supports ongoing monitoring programs, contributes to new monitoring and outreach initiatives as opportunities arise, analyzes and interprets water quality data, develops visualizations and summaries, and communicates findings through reports, presentations, web content, and public outreach. This role also organizes and leads volunteer monitoring events, collaborates with partner organizations, and helps translate water science into information that community members and decision-makers can understand and use.

Key Responsibilities

Water Quality Monitoring

• Conduct routine water sampling at established monitoring sites in Central Iowa.
• Maintain sampling and monitoring records.
• Support implementation of local water monitoring plans and help to explore opportunities to expand Prairie Rivers of Iowa’s monitoring and outreach efforts.
• Assist with development and implementation of quality assurance protocols and monitoring procedures.
• Develop and support applied monitoring projects such as bacterial monitoring, nutrient testing, or microbial source tracking.

Data Analysis & Visualization

• Maintain and organize datasets from laboratory monitoring, volunteer monitoring, and partner organizations.
• Analyze monitoring results to identify trends and patterns in watershed conditions.
• Prepare charts, maps, and summaries that communicate monitoring results clearly.
• Maintain and improve tools used to summarize and visualize monitoring data (currently developed in R) or implement alternative systems that allow monitoring results to be efficiently updated and shared.
• Prepare annual monitoring reports and technical summaries.

Volunteer Monitoring & Community Science

• Coordinate volunteer monitoring events and related activities.
• Train and support volunteers participating in water quality monitoring.
• Help expand community participation in watershed monitoring programs.
• Evaluate and improve volunteer monitoring methods and protocols.

Communication & Public Education

• Translate water monitoring data into clear and accessible information for the public.
• Prepare blog posts, newsletter articles, reports, and website updates related to watershed health and monitoring results.
• Present monitoring findings to community groups, volunteers, and partner organizations.
• Support outreach events such as environmental fairs, volunteer trainings, and educational programs.

Partnerships & Program Coordination

• Coordinate with partner organizations including local governments, conservation agencies, nonprofit organizations, educators, and researchers.
• Participate in watershed planning initiatives, related meetings and collaborations.
• Seek and support grant-funded monitoring and research projects as opportunities arise.
• Lead or assist with project reporting and grant development as needed.
• May supervise or collaborate with student interns assisting with data analysis, mapping, or outreach activities

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, ecology, hydrology, biology, watershed science, environmental studies, environmental education, science education, or a related field.
• Experience with environmental monitoring or field sampling.
• Ability to analyze and interpret scientific data.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with partners and volunteers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with water quality monitoring programs.
• Familiarity with data analysis or visualization tools (e.g., R, ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, or similar software).
• Experience with science communication, environmental education, or public outreach.
• Experience working with volunteers or citizen science programs.

Additional Information

Prairie Rivers of Iowa is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to protect and restore the natural resources of central Iowa. Staff work closely with local governments, conservation agencies, and community members to advance watershed stewardship, habitat restoration, and environmental education.

 Information about Prairie Rivers of Iowa Resource, Conservation and Development is available at our website: https://www.prrcd.org/ 

Application Process: 

Please submit  by April 6, 2026 - a cover letter, resume/CV, and references electronically or by mail to the Search Team at search@prrcd.org            or to:

Prairie Rivers of Iowa Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D)

3116 South Duff Ave. Suite 201

Ames, IA 50010 

Equal Employment Opportunity

• Prairie Rivers of Iowa does not discriminate against any person on the grounds of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, or political beliefs in carrying out the duties associated with this position.