Coordinator, Rainscaping

Coordinator, Rainscaping

Missouri Botanical Garden, 2345 Tower Grove Ave., St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America Req #801

Saturday, April 20, 2024

Summary: The Rainscaping Coordinator is responsible for coordinating, developing and delivering the two Rainscaping programs administered by the Division: the Deer Creek Watershed Alliance Rainscaping Cost-Share Program and the MSD Rainscaping Small Grants Program. Core areas of focus include improving water quality in suburban streams by educating landowners and implementing green infrastructure technologies to reduce nonpoint source pollution, especially through plant-based solutions. Approximately 80% of this role is comprised of office tasks to administer the grant programs and plan outreach activities and 20% is community outreach and fieldwork.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Participate in all aspects of administering the two Rainscaping programs coordinated by the Division; the Deer Creek Watershed Alliance's Rainscaping Cost-Share (Rebate) Program and the MSD Rainscaping Small Grants Program as assigned by Sustainability Programs Manager.
• Collaborates to develop, review and edit new and existing program documents, applications, presentations and educational materials. This component includes incorporation of industry accepted standard operating procedures and best management practices into the development of programming for training landscaping professionals and landowners in the Rainscaping Small Grants and Cost-Share programs.
• Coordinates within multiple programs funded by outside organizations, acts as liaison with the funders and landowners and contractors, problem solves for a large variety of ongoing issues while processing and evaluating several hundred homeowner grant applications.
• Manages Implementation Projects with the collection and highly comprehensive evaluation and extensive data management of yearly submissions pertaining to all Rainscaping Grant application packets. Track submissions and ensure applications can be scored accurately to identify which will be awarded funding.
• Handles educational outreach for grant applicants and interested public including providing annual homeowner information sessions, coordinating trainings for professionals in the field of stormwater management, and other trainings related to managing watershed quality and storm water impacts on the environment including homeowner rebate programs for the use of native and effective landscaping/rainscaping options.
• Review planting plans and plant lists for residential rainscaping and demonstration projects.
• Perform ground truthing site visits to ensure projects are correctly installed and meet

requirements of rainscaping programs.

• Provides technical support and handles inbound and outbound calls pertaining to eligibility, program procedures, applications, evaluation and status of said applications as well as finished projects, implementation and maintenance via Rainscaping hotline and email. Includes providing all follow up support and responding to all technical Q&A from the applicants and contractors.
• Problem solves with Manager all issues and together makes final decisions after consulting with the team and funder on applications and approvals for funded projects, assigns all necessary field visits to contracted staff for assessments, completes a percentage of the field visits personally to ensure proper assessments are done, and determines and acts on which projects will be promoted via website, social media and regular media venues.
• Collaborates and coordinates with internal team and external committee members, contractors, partners, and funders to complete all grant and contract related tasks and continually update existing programs. Promotes these partnerships to enable long-term relationships with the Garden and these entities.
• Tracks data and prepares quarterly reports to submit to funders, sharing progress and impact results, and assists finance staff with preparing quarterly invoices as requested by Manager.
• Schedules, develops, coordinates logistics and personally provides presentations, conducts classes, and designs and facilitates training workshops for public & professional audiences, including landscape architects, landscaping industry professionals, general business professionals and residential landowners. Plans, makes arrangements, purchase food and supplies and coordinates registration for all meetings, orientations, seminars and trainings.
• Conducts all education/outreach and public engagement components included in the grants and contracts, including preparing signage, serving as site leader for annual stream trash clean-ups, assisting with annual Honeysuckle Sweeps, develops and manages rainscaping e-newsletters and systems, coordinates all rainscaping website updates and social media posts. Ensures all listings are up-to-date and accurate.
• Represents the Garden in a professional manner at relevant community outreach events and within resource conservation organizational networks. Promotes mutual understanding and respect; appropriately expresses opinions; keeps others informed.

• Ensures that all applicable safety standards are followed; i.e. informs employees, volunteers, students of safety rules and safe working practices and routinely monitor to enforce them. Adapts or modifies work methods to reduce hazards. Reports all accidents, injuries and near-miss accidents immediately.
• Meets expected attendance guidelines.
• Follows and adheres to established policies and procedures, including but not limited to Employee Handbook, Garden Safety Guidelines and Department Policies.

• Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork, mutual support, and cooperation, within the division, department and throughout the Garden, with co-workers, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors, contractors and employees.
• Participates in team and division meetings and events as needed. Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None.

Competencies:

• Communication - Listens to others and asks questions for clarification; Writes clearly and presents information accurately; Speaks professionally and responds well to questions; Supports positive visitor relations.
• Collaboration - Demonstrates teamwork and promotes respect in the workplace; Engages in problem solving and group initiatives; Cooperates in implementing procedures and process improvements; Strives for positive visitor experiences.
• Accountability - Demonstrates commitment to responsibilities and adaptable to changes; effectively prioritizes, troubleshoots and takes appropriate actions; Follows policies and procedures, meets deadlines, quality, and safety standards; Strives to proactively, address visitor and internal colleagues' concerns.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems; Includes supervisor before taking action as necessary; Recommends solutions, demonstrates creativity and resourcefulness; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment in decision making process; Includes appropriate people in making decisions.
• Stewardship - Promotes and adheres to sustainability, safety and security protocols; Fosters a culture of respect, diversity and inclusion; Demonstrates effective and prudent use of Garden resources; Maximizes contributions during work hours.

Qualifications/Experience:

• Minimum three (3) years in working on community-based sustainability related projects and in working with the public, professionals and funders on such projects.

• Minimum of three (3) years successfully managing large amounts of data as it relates to environmental projects.
• Demonstrated knowledgebase and strong technical abilities in the principles of sustainability, especially as it relates to storm water, water quality, and watershed management.
• Demonstrated knowledgebase of horticulture and landscape design working with Missouri native plants.
• Must have an interest in environmental issues and be dedicated to fairly representing all sides of such issues.
• Demonstrated abilities and prior experience in successfully managing the distribution of small grants/rebate programs.
• Exceptional ability to communicate effectively at all levels both verbally and in writing; must enjoy and feel comfortable with public speaking, interacting and working in close proximity to general public, in a safe and friendly manner.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a team of both internal and external members for common goals and in sharing expertise.
• Excellent organization and planning skills, demonstrated analytical and project management skills, success at managing a wide array of tasks and projects.
• Ability to work independently to complete all tasks with minor guidance in a timely manner.
• Strong service-oriented individual who demonstrates the highest level of professional and ethical conduct.
• The Garden is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our employees, volunteers and guests. All staff are strongly encouraged to receive all vaccinations as recommended by your healthcare provider prior to hire date. The Garden reserves the right to require future proof of current vaccination status, based on local health department guidelines. When international travel is necessary for Garden business, staff must be able to obtain required travel clearances, driving permits, and vaccinations for all countries where travel is required.
• Use of personal car may be required; occasionally travel within Missouri and Illinois surrounding areas. Travel required >40%.

• Scheduling flexibility is required to work evenings, weekends, or holidays.

• The requirements and duties listed are representative and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Sustainability, Environmental Science, Plant Science, Education or related field required.
• An equivalent combination of education, skills and experience may be considered.

Other Skills and Abilities: N/A

Language Skills: Ability to communicate effectively in English (oral/written).

Mathematical Skills:

• College level math aptitude: requires ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; calculate percentages and decimals, etc.
• Ability to understand, analyze and create spreadsheets for budgets and awarding rebate funds.

Reasoning Ability:

• Requires ability to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to problem resolution.
• Requires the ability to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for the allocation of fiscal resources in a fast paces environment.
• Demonstrated abilities in project management, priority setting, analytical and objective decision-making, and cost conscious budget and grant administration.

Computer Skills:

• Proficiency in navigating through various PC applications including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite (i.e., PowerPoint, Excel and Word) or a similar application.
• Solid Internet research skills and use of broad cloud-based computer applications such as the suite of offerings including the database within Google drive.
• Experience in using communication platforms including MAILCHIMP, EVENTBRITE/REGISTRATION SYSTEM - GOOGLE/DROPBOX, etc.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and acceptable driving record to meet the Garden's insurability guidelines (prior to employment).

Physical Demands:

• Ability to work outdoors; with unavoidable variations in temperature.
• Flexible scheduling as needed to work evenings during the week and on weekends.
• May be required to perform tasks at varying heights (i.e. step stools, etc.).
• Able to lift up to (30) pounds (i.e., load, unload and move supplies and equipment).

• Ability to utilize computer keyboard (typing) and operate standard office equipment (i.e. copier, printer, etc.)
• Requires extensive standing, walking, bending, stooping, and reaching for extended periods of time-at times 40% or more of the workday is standing on feet.

Work Environment:

• Shared indoor office setting in a cubicle environment.
• Outdoor setting with unavoidable variations in temperature and some uncomfortable conditions.
• Occasional evening and weekend programming requiring long hours.
• Occasional travel required.

Contacts with Individuals/Organizations inside/outside the Garden:

• Other Garden employees and volunteers

• Local environmental professionals in the field of storm water management, including landscape architects, planners and managers, land management service providers, municipal managers, and more
• Local businesses and community organizations
• Funders of multiple programs, including large utilities to small lawn service providers and plant nursery owners
• Residential and commercial landowners
• Garden visitors, school groups, members

Supervisor: Sustainability Programs Manager - Natural Environments

• Missouri Botanical Garden, 2345 Tower Grove Ave., St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America