Wetland Health Evaluation Program (WHEP) Team Leader
Scope of Work
The team leader will lead the biological monitoring efforts of a team of volunteers while following the protocols established in the Wetland Health Evaluation Program. WHEP biological monitoring requires collecting and identifying wetland macroinvertebrates and identifying wetland plants. Work hours will vary; team leaders set their own work schedule. Evenings and weekends are required.
A team leader should have a background (education or experience) in natural resources, wetland or field biology (preferred-not required); a flexible schedule; an ability to work with a wide variety of people; and the ability to perform field work in a wetland. A team leader must have a valid driver’s license and insurance.
General team leader duties include:
- Team Coordination. Contact volunteers from previous year and newly recruited volunteers from list supplied by the County Coordinator. Attend training sessions and assist team members. Attend two team leader meetings, one in May at the beginning of the monitoring season and one in August at the end of the season. Take pictures for the final report and presentations.
- Wetland Monitoring. Determine the monitoring schedule for the citizen team. Submit the schedule to the Field Monitoring Coordinator and County Coordinator at the Field Methods Training. Lead the monitoring sessions, lab identification, and team meetings. Sample all wetlands as selected by participating cities/sponsors using the macroinvertebrate and vegetation WHEP protocols, and ensure the integrity of the sample. Perform invertebrate sampling on wetlands, including your team’s cross check, between June 1-June 30. Perform vegetation sampling on wetlands, including your team’s cross check, between July 1-July 31. Coordinate access to lab space with microscopes for macroinvertebrate identification. [Several teams use Inver Hills Community College, others use high school or nature center labs – dates for access to Inver Hills Community College are arranged through the County Coordinator based on space availability and your preferences.]
- Data Reporting. Complete data sheets as supplied by the County Coordinator. Submit completed data sheets at the end of the season team leader meeting.
- Communication with City Contact. Send your city contact a copy of the monitoring schedule and encourage them to join you in the field or lab. Arrange to make a presentation regarding the monitoring data and results to the city council, natural resource board, or other appropriate city group at the end of the season. The County Coordinator can help develop a presentation.
- Equipment. Maintain an equipment inventory on form supplied by County Coordinator. Submit a completed inventory sheet at the end of the season. Inspect equipment before and after the field season. Check with your County Coordinator before purchasing supplies and equipment on your own.
- Outreach. Participate with your team in opportunities for education and outreach to the public at community events, if possible. The WHEP display, aquarium with macroinvertebrates, microscopes, and a reference collection may be available to be a part of an exhibit to demonstrate WHEP.
- Volunteer Hour Log. Track the number of hours you and volunteers participate in WHEP. Include hours spent at training, field monitoring, identification in the lab, making a presentation or staffing an exhibit/booth, or any other time doing work for WHEP. Submit log at the end of the monitoring season.
- Compensation. Upon completion of the monitoring and datasheets, Dakota County will reimburse mileage and provide a stipend. Original receipts are required for expense reimbursement. Request payment by submitting a Dakota County Vendor Invoice form supplied by the County Coordinator.
Interested? Contact McKenna Anderson by email McKenna Anderson or Katie Pata with Dakota County by email Katie Pata.
