POSITION SUMMARY:

Performs professional and technical work as a community educator and representative of the City and assigned department; designs, coordinates, and conducts educational outreach about water-efficient landscape design for targeted audiences such as students, home owners, and the general public. This position educates customers on water conservation; evaluates, makes recommendations, and communicates complex information on solutions that save water, and provides information on the City’s incentive programs.

Employee works independently within the limits of City and department policies and resources; and has frequent interaction with others, both internal and external. Duties may involve irregular hours and travel to various sites in the greater Spokane area.

Supervision Received and Exercised:

Employee selects their own method to accomplish objectives unless departmental policy is involved. Unusual situations may be referred to the supervisor.

The following Responsibilities and Requirements are functions the individual who holds or desires the position must be able to perform unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation. This description was prepared to indicate the kinds of activities and levels of work difficulty required of positions in this class. It is not intended as a complete list of specific duties and responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conducts irrigation/landscape design consultations for residential irrigation systems and landscapes.
• Identifies and assesses opportunities based on the customer's unique situation to improve water use efficiency through landscape changes, irrigation management and available technologies.
• As a subject matter expert, educates commercial and residential customers about water-efficient landscapes, appropriate landscape irrigation scheduling, and programs and technology available to customers to assist in landscape transformations that result in water conservation.
• May identify issues or conservation opportunities for customers for other water using equipment such as pools, water softeners, hot water tanks, and indoor plumbing.
• Builds internal and external partnerships to improve regional water education efforts.
• Works to promote Water Wise Spokane, its programs and needs via appropriate business/community partners.
• Collaborates with Conservation staff to develop new or revise existing materials i.e. brochures, guidebooks) or any other educational materials.
• Advises, plans, and designs water-efficient landscapes for City owned properties.
• Speaks before various civic groups on sustainable, water-efficient landscape design.
• Develops, coordinates, and implements workshops and presentations for classroom groups and the public, with the goal of increasing public engagement, awareness, and behavior changes that result in water conservation. Performs related work as required.

Requirements of Work:

Knowledge of:

• The City of Spokane and greater Spokane area including schools, demographics, and geography.
• Trees, shrubs, perennials, ground covers, and landscapes suited for local soil and climate conditions.
• Local soil types and plant water use.Principles, practices, and design of landscape irrigation systems.

Skills in:

• Oral communication, facilitation, and teaching of landscape conservation concepts for public presentations to groups.
• Written communication and attention to detail.The use of personal computers and related software, including word processing and presentation software, etc.
• Gathering data for program development and report preparation.

Ability to:

• Identify opportunities to assist in educational activities for the targeted audience.
• Meet the public tactfully and to reinforce elements of City programs utilizing good judgment.
• Maintain effective working relationships, both internal and external.
• Use a variety of audio-visual and office equipment.

Physical Requirements (with or without reasonable accommodation):

• Ability to see, with or without corrective lenses, well enough to read standard text.
• Ability to hear, with or without a hearing aid, and to speak well enough to converse on the telephone to individuals and address public groups.
• Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment.
• Ability to drive an automobile.
• Ability to use, carry, and set up a variety of office, audio-visual machines, teaching materials, and display equipment weighing up to 30 lbs.
• Ability to walk and stand for prolonged periods of time while delivering program content or movingaround and between site locations.

Combinations of education and experience that are equivalent to the following minimum qualifications are acceptable.

Open-Entry Requirements:

• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a recognized certificate of registration as a Landscape Architect.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Incumbents must possess a valid driver’s license, to be maintained throughout employment or otherwise demonstrate ability to get to and from multiple work locations as required.