Water Education and Outreach Program Specialist

JOB LOCATION

City of Aurora, Colorado

It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.
 
Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Hiring Salary: $24.35 - $30.43/hour

The deadline to submit an application to this position is February 28, 2026. However, it is subject to close at any time once a qualified pool of applications is obtained.

OVERVIEW OF POSITION / DEPARTMENT

Aurora Water is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the drinking water, sanitary sewer and storm drainage systems, treatment of drinking water and non-potable reclaimed wastewater for irrigation, billing and collection, public outreach and water conservation, acquisition and development of future water rights, major capital projects programs, and quality control for regulatory compliance and public health.

The Water Education and Outreach Program Specialist for the Aurora Water Environmental Education and Outreach program is responsible for delivering educational programs including youth education programming, classroom presentations, assemblies, field trips and annual events as well as assisting with teacher education and outreach programs. This position requires flexibility, adaptability, strong interpersonal skills, teaching and presentation skills. This position requires a person who works well with youth and adults, is collaborative and organized with a strong sense of environmental ethics.

Work will be scheduled on as-needed basis up to 30 hours a week.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Delivers youth education programs including classroom presentations, assemblies, and field trips.
• Develops educational programming 
• Assists with annual event planning and implementation
• Supports teacher education workshops and outreach events
• Conducts educational and informational programs for community groups and professionals
• Fosters community and agency partnerships and supports community events
• Assists with the development and implementation of in-person and virtual education programs on a variety of online platforms
• Promotes accurate, culturally appropriate educational materials and information
• Attends conferences, trainings, and other educational opportunities to expand environmental education skills and general water knowledge
• Compiles program evaluation data and contributes to annual reports
• Emphasis on Spanish-speaking community immigrant and refugee groups
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Education: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in natural resources, environmental sciences, education or related field and 2 years of experience related to the area of assignment

Experience: 

• At least 2 years of presentation, teaching and/or interpretation experience in either a formal classroom setting or non-formal environmental education environment.

Licenses and Certifications Required: 

• Colorado driver's license with a good driving history
• Incumbent must be in compliance with security protocols for both Aurora Public Schools and Cherry Creek School Districts

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in water conservation, water education, environmental education, public relations or public speaking.
• Project WET (Water Education Today) and/or Project Learning Tree facilitation experience

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of western environmental issues and Colorado water challenges
• Knowledge of educational training and effective presentation techniques

Skills: 

• Must exhibit strong interpersonal communication and collaboration skills
• Strong public speaking skills
• Strong customer service skills
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Proficient in Microsoft 365 Office Suite
• Bilingual preferred (Spanish)

Abilities: 

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and citizens
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Make public presentations to a wide variety of audiences and assist with educational programs.  

• Creatively solve problems, negotiate and handle stressful situations in a positive manner
• Ability to remain in compliance with security protocols for both Aurora Public Schools and Cherry Creek School Districts

WORKING CONDITIONS

Essential Personnel:

When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the city, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.

Physical Demands:

• Medium work that involves moving no more than 50 pounds with or without assistance at a time
• Frequent lifting and carrying of materials for presentations and displays
• Frequent walking and standing
• Speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees and citizens
• Vision to read and interpret reports and other written documents
• Hand/eye coordination for operation of computer keyboard
• Frequent operation of motor vehicle

Work Environment:

• Works primarily indoors but may work outdoors assisting with a program or outreach events in varying weather conditions
• Includes in-person activities in public schools throughout Aurora

Equipment Used:

• Uses standard office equipment including personal computer and common office software such as email, internet, Word, Excel
• This position may require the incumbent to use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment.

The city of Aurora will implement furlough days (unpaid days off) for most employees in 2026. The scheduled furlough dates are January 16, April 10, July 2, and December 24.

For Veterans preference:  Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.
           
The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer.  We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants.  It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.
                                         
Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace.  A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.
 

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check. 

Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others.  

Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.