Watershed Protection Specialist III - EXAM

Under general direction, is responsible for supervising employees engaged in source water protection activities and/or developing and implementing watershed protection programs; performs related duties as required.

• Plans source water protection activities to protect reservoir tributaries and City watershed properties including the oversight of the City’s Watershed Protection and/or Land Stewardship Program;

• Secures land stewardship-related agreements, addresses encroachments and property issues, private dock permitting, and assures compliance with applicable regulations, rules, policies, and procedures;

• Develops, administers, and/or interprets policies, practices, and procedures governing reservoir property management and source water protection activities and personnel within applicable guidelines and legal constraints;

• Researches, analyzes, and interprets data related to natural resources, land management, and source water protection activities;

• Responds to public inquiries concerning the utilization of City watershed properties, the location of City property boundaries and easements, and applicable laws and regulations;

• Assists in developing operating procedures, goals, and objectives for the unit;

• Evaluates the performance of staff by developing work standards and completing performance appraisals;

• Schedules vacation and overtime based on staffing needs to meet operational needs;

• Analyzes and interprets data related to natural resources and land management activities and recommends possible alternative solutions to meet current needs;

• Utilizes GPS/GIS equipment and software to field map property boundaries, create visuals, and support natural resource projects and land management databases;

• Assists with the preparation of periodic status reports, service contracts, and appropriate CIP/Operations annual budgets, and tracks expenditures;

• Creates, develops, and implements public education and outreach programs.

• May train or facilitate training of personnel in areas that maintain public health and welfare, including first aid and CPR training, rescue and safety techniques, and other source water protection and security activities;

• May testify or provides documentation in legal proceedings concerning hazardous, unlawful, or unauthorized use of City watershed properties.

Possession of a bachelor's degree and four (4) years of experience performing source water protection activities or developing, organizing, or implementing a natural resources or conservation related project or program.  Substitution(s): Additional experience as specified may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.  A master's degree in a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.

Possession of a valid driver’s license.

By the completion of the probationary period, must possess a valid Ohio Boaters Education Certificate.

Some positions may require possession of a valid Commercial Pesticide Applicator License issued by the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

The names of the applicants passing this administration of this exam will be used to create a NEW, OPEN COMPETITIVE, eligible list, and will replace the names on the current list.  If you are interested in having your name included on the new eligible list, you will need to apply for this exam within the filing period and successfully complete all phases of the testing process.   Questions regarding this process can be directed to the Test Center at 614-645-7439. 

The examination process will consist of a multiple-choice Experience Evaluation exam weighted 50%, and a multiple-choice exam weighted 50% covering supervision, reading comprehension, logic and reasoning, and problem sensitivity.

The exam is expected to be administered in September 2026.  Approved applicants will be notified by mail/email of their scheduled test date and time. 

All applicants must complete all phases of the testing process in order to receive a final score.  The names of all candidates who pass this examination will remain on the eligible list for two years, unless the eligible list is replaced prior to or extended beyond the two years.  If a candidate's name is certified and the candidate is to be considered for employment, the hiring process will include one or more interviews, a criminal background check, and a pre-employment drug test. 

The certification process will be:  Fixed Band

The City of Columbus is an Equal Opportunity Employer