Ethan Knight

Ethan is an environmental scientist and the communications lead for Western Water Assessment. In this role, he developed and is leading the implementation of WWA's communications plan. He also developed and manages WWA’s new website and social media accounts, and co-produces WWA's newsletters and webinar series. Lastly, he conducts climate research related to water resources and natural hazards in the WWA region (Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming). Most notably, he co-produces WWA's monthly Intermountain West Climate Briefings hosted on WWA's most popular web resource, the Intermountain West Climate Dashboard, which he also manages. Ethan has always had a great interest in the environmental field and is particularly interested in climate impacts on natural resources and communities.

Ethan first joined the WWA team in June 2019 as an undergraduate assistant primarily to help with the Colorado River Basin Climate and Hydrology: State of the Science report. Some of his work on the report included editing text and figures, creating the references, glossary, and acronyms/abbreviations sections, and surveying sponsors and stakeholders about the report’s usability and whether it can be used for research, policy-making, or decision-making processes in water management and policy. Ethan graduated from CU Boulder with a BA in Environmental Studies and a Minor in Geography in May 2020.

Job Summary:
My position has three core areas of responsibility: Science Synthesis & Research Support, Communications, and Administrative Support.

Science Synthesis & Research Support: 
This position involves synthesizing and supporting climate research related to water resources and natural hazards in the WWA region (Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming). One example is co-producing WWA's monthly Intermountain West Climate Briefings hosted on WWA's most popular web resource, the Intermountain West Climate Dashboard. Other examples are continuing to manage and update WWA's High-Impact Events Database and help write, edit, and/or contribute to WWA reports, assessments, and other publications.

Communications:
This position involves continuing to implement WWA's communications plan, which involves independently managing WWA’s website and social media accounts, the co-production of WWA's newsletters and webinar series, and general outreach.

Administrative Support:
This position involves planning meetings and logistics, including WWA External Advisory Board and Stakeholder meetings; supporting grant reporting to funders, including WWA Annual Reports; and developing/updating program outreach materials, including graphic design support.

Skills:
•    Climate science research and synthesis
•    Co-production of syntheses, assessments, and briefings
•    Non-peer reviewed scientific writing
•    Copy editing
•    Science communications and professional outreach
•    Production of outreach materials
•    Social media management and content creation
•    Website management and development
•    Communications plan development and implementation
•    Graphic and document design support
•    Basic GIS map creation
•    Administrative support and coordination
•    Event planning and coordination
•    Meeting planning and logistics