Project Coordinator - Clean Water Indiana

Job Summary

The Project Coordinator will be responsible for administering the “Habitat Improvements for Maintaining Soil Health and Water Quality” Clean Water Indiana grant. This grant seeks to increase the adoption of best management practices in agricultural and urban settings by offering cost share for willing participants to implement practices that improve water quality. Practices covered include, but are not limited to, field borders, filter strips, riparian buffers, and wildlife habitat plantings. The project coordinator will also work to increase the community’s understanding of management impacts on soil health and water quality through outreach and education efforts.

This grant is an extension of Purdue University’s efforts to conserve the endangered Eastern Hellbender salamander, a species that is particularly sensitive to water quality. The project coordinator will report to Purdue’s Help the Hellbender team but will be physically located in the Southern Indiana watersheds where Hellbenders are actively being managed. This project area includes the Blue River-Sinking and Silver-Little Kentucky watersheds, which cover parts of Clark, Crawford, Floyd, Harrison, Orange, and Washington Counties.

What You'll Be Doing:

• Working with landowners and land users to identify resource concerns on the landscape and provide technical assistance
• Developing natural resource conservation and implementation plans (utilizing GIS mapping software) based on identified natural resource concerns and the applicant’s goals for the land
• Following up with land owner/user to ensure successful implementation
• Working with technical committee consisting of project partners and Indiana State Department of Agriculture staff to administer cost-share and address any issues or special circumstances that arise.  Duties may consist of:
  • Ensuring conservation practices properly implemented in the field and that payment can be made
  • Review receipts, seed tags, labor costs, etc. to calculate cost-share
  • Partner with Business Office on cost-share reimbursements
• Completing project tracking quarterly and project reporting semi-annually
• Attending regular meetings with partners to convey project updates
• Communicating with partners to track grant contributions
• Helping plan and attend outreach and education events by creating promotional materials for the project (flyers, mailers, etc.), helping with event set-up / cleanup and presenting educational materials

What We're Looking For:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Resources, Agronomy, Environmental Science, or related field
• Knowledge of principles and theories of soil and water conservation, including a general understanding of biology and agronomy
• Ability to work and communicate with multiple partnering organizations, including the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and NRCS. Comfortability interacting with landowners and other members of the public from varied backgrounds
• Ability to use Microsoft Suite programs
• Familiarity with GIS mapping software such as ArcGIS Pro
• Ability to work independently
• Valid U.S. or Canadian driver’s license
• Frequent travel between USDA Service Centers in Corydon, Salem, and Charlestown

Nice to Have:

• 1 year of experience

What We'd Like You to Know:

• This is a limited duration positon through 12/2027. Benefits do apply. 
• The successful individual will need to reside in Southern, IN to be close to the focal area of this project.
• Learn more about Purdue’s benefits summary, https://bit.ly/3sHGbls
• Purdue will not sponsor employment authorization for this position
• A Background Check is required for employment in this position
• FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible For Overtime)
• Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contributions Waiting Period
• Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply

Career Stream

Professional 1

Pay Band S055
Link to Purdue University's compensation guidelines: https://www.purdue.edu/hr/mngcareer/compguidelines/index.php
Job Code #20003123
Link to Career Path Maker: https://www.purdue.edu/hr/careerpathmaker/

*Effective August 1, Purdue implemented a new background screen policy: any internal transfer will receive a new background screen if one has not been run within the last year.

Why Purdue?
Purdue University is a place where every role contributes to the pursuit of excellence, innovation, and community impact. As part of the Indianapolis team, you’ll help drive Purdue’s continued growth and success—supporting leaders who are advancing research, education, and engagement in Indiana and beyond. Here, your talent and initiative will be valued, and your work will make a difference every day.

Who We Are

Purdue is a community built on collaboration, with global perspectives, Boilermaker pride and endless opportunity to live, learn and grow. Join us and contribute to our culture.

EO 

Purdue University is an EO/EA University.