Environmental Specialist 2 (20074838) (2200072W) (taleo.net) Plans, develops and implements Ohio Environmental Education Fund grant programs for the Office of Environmental Education (OEE) to improve public understanding of complex environmental issues affecting the state. Updates grant program goals and K-12 project criteria to remain in alignment with with the Ohio Department of Education Learning Standards and Model Curriculum for science, mathematics and technology education. Updates grant criteria for projects targeting the regulated community and adult general public audiences to align with the Ohio EPA director’s regulatory priorities to reduce air emissions, reduce nutrient loadings to rivers and streams, manage storm water, and restore habitat. Provides technical assistance to potential grant applicants on equipment, services, and processes eligible for grant funding. Conducts training programs on grant requirements, application procedures and project management. Conducts technical and administrative reviews of resulting grant applications. Makes recommendations for funding projects based on technical and program priorities and criteria. Conducts field, office, facility and site inspections to monitor and evaluate funded projects to assure adherence to program standards. Provides ongoing technical support to grantees to assist in preparing reports and implementing programs. Maintains project documentation and reviews and approves modification requests and progress reports. Evaluates the success of completed projects.

Assists the State Coordinator for the Project WET (Water Education Today) and Healthy Water, Healthy People national curricula providing technical assistance and training to watershed groups and educators on water quality monitoring methods including physical sampling, chemical parameters, and collection of macroinvertebrates as indicators of the health of stream biota. Provides technical assistance and training to entities seeking certification from the Ohio EPA as Level One credible data collectors for water quality monitoring. Provides sampling demonstrations for schools, local water festivals and other public events.

Acts as liaison between OEE, other Ohio EPA divisions and partner organizations in Ohio’s environmental education community (e.g., Ohio Academy of Science, Environmental Education Council of Ohio, Science Education Council of Ohio); collects and prepares materials for Web pages, newsletters and reports to the Environmental Education Advisory Council and partnership steering committees. Reviews applications for Ohio EPA scholarships from college students majoring in environmental science and engineering fields. Provides information on careers in environmental science and engineering to K-12 and university students and the public. Develops criteria for evaluating the success of the partnership and recommends future collaborative efforts to promote environmental education programming.

Provides technical assistance to other units or offices with Ohio EPA, other state and local agencies, metropolitan planning organizations, schools, industry and the general public. Reviews grant applications for recycling, litter prevention, waste reduction, recycling market development and scrap tire management activities. Provides technical assistance to staff in parks, local soil and water conservation districts and nature centers to ensure the scientific validity of their education programs. Makes presentations,disseminates information to the general public, other agencies, and potential grantees.

Participates in design and maintenance of OEE external-facing Web pages and OEE SharePoint collaboration site, posting material and monitoring current content. Ensures adherence with Ohio EPA computer policies and procedures related to web page development and design, with Ohio EPA SharePoint governance and OEE specific governance.

Requires a baccalaureate degree in engineering, chemistry, physics, biology, environmental science, earth science &/or urban & regional planning, geology or other comparable physical or health science fields, with training to be commensurate with duties to be assigned.

Schedule:  Full time; schedule is flexible but will include days, weekends, some evenings

Pay:  $27.03 per hour