What are the responsibilities and job description for the Stormwater Management and Watersheds Coordinator position at Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments?
Applicants must email a cover letter and resume to office@secogct.gov to be considered for this position.
The Southeastern Connecticut Council of Governments (SECOG) seeks a highly motivated, experienced, and creative individual to join its team of planning professionals. The candidate who fills this position will manage two of SECOG’s environmental work programs: (1) Stormwater Management, providing technical support to municipalities preparing and carrying out stormwater management strategies and meeting MS4 requirements; and (2) Watershed Management, maintaining relationships with and contributing expertise to regional stakeholder groups focused on preserving and planning around watershed dynamics in support of regional water quality improvement and preservation. This is a full-time, 35 hour per week position. SECOG offers a highly competitive benefits package including flexibility in work scheduling, health insurance, a pension plan and optional 457(b) retirement plan, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, sick/vacation leave accrual, reimbursement of APA/AICP or other professional dues, and compensatory time for attendance at night meetings.
About the Position
SECOG currently undertakes several efforts to support watershed health, regional water quality, stormwater management, and watershed planning, for which this position would assume responsibility. At SECOG, this individual will assume work that is already in progress to provide dedicated technical assistance in these areas, and over time, should aim to build programmatic momentum, develop additional technical service offerings for member municipalities, and build SECOG’s capacity to engage individually and as a partner in projects that improve local stormwater and watershed conditions. Within its regional planning service bundle, SECOG sees this position as anchoring regional water quality initiatives through the lens of stormwater management and watershed-based planning. Working under the supervision of the Director of Regional Planning, this role will also collaborate regularly with SECOG’s GIS Manager and Environmental and Transportation Planners, especially where stormwater and watershed management concerns overlap with Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation work programs. This position is supported by State legislation passed in November 2025, which authorizes ongoing funding to support dedicated regional stormwater management coordinators within councils of governments.
Responsibilities
• Coordinate and staff SECOG’s Regional Stormwater Collaborative, organizing quarterly meetings, finding appropriate speakers, setting agendas
• Maintain expertise in regulations related to stormwater management, including and especially local Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit requirements
• Collaborate with SECOG’s GIS Manager to design GIS tools that are useful for local communities in accomplishing stormwater permit requirements, and otherwise determine new ways to assist local communities with MS4 compliance
• Act as the principal point of contact for grassroots watershed-based civic organizations in the SECOG area, inclusive of regularly attending their meetings
• Act as the principal point of contact with regional non-profit organizations that organize umbrella watershed networks, such as the Eastern Connecticut Conservation District’s Eastern Connecticut Watershed Network, and The Last Green Valley’s Thames River Basin Partnership
• Collaborate with the above-listed partners on projects that advance stormwater and watershed management
• Act as the principal point of contact with relevant state agency sections (DEEP and similar) • Seek out grant opportunities, and prepare and contribute to grant applications
• Develop public information materials, speak at public meetings
• Manage SECOG webpages related to the work program and generate social media content
• Obtain and maintain NAACC Culvert Evaluation lead observer certification • Conduct fieldwork individually and coordinate fieldwork teams as needed
• Bring topical expertise to and collaborate on regional initiatives such as the Regional Plan of Conservation and Development
Qualifications
The successful candidate will have significant familiarity with the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System permit requirements, enjoy both in-office and field work, and have a willingness to collaborate with coworkers, partner agencies and local and regional stakeholders. Successful planners with SECOG are self-directed but able to work well in a collaborative environment. Applicants should have excellent communication skills and experience with project management, analyzing and presenting data, and preparing technical written reports.