Putting Knowledge To Work As New City Stormwater Coordinator
WARSAW — Water is a precious commodity that isn’t often considered in our day to day lives; yet even as we take it for granted, there are others working hard to manage and monitor both the water we drink and the water in which we swim. Ryan Workman is one of these people.
Workman is a senior at Grace College, working towards a degree in environmental sciences and a minor in biology. He grew up in Auburn, where his parents still live. He currently works as a research assistant with the Center for Lakes & Streams, a position broad enough it defies simple explanation.
Starting next week, however, he will begin working part-time as a Warsaw Stormwater Coordinator in preparation for a full time position upon his graduation.
“I am looking forward to at least the aspect of learning more. The job (stormwater coordinator) requires initiative and someone who understands the position and the current research that’s involved with that, so I’m pretty excited,” Workman said. He’ll be working closely with the former and interim stormwater coordinator, Theresa Sailor, in order to learn as much as he can in preparation for the transition.
Working at the Center for Lakes and Streams has given Workman a unique insight into the importance of water which was partly the reason he was interested in the position. “I’ve been working with it (water) for a year, and its one of the most crucial resources that we have. We need to sustain and conserve it, especially with our population increasing.”
This insight wasn’t the only aspect that attracted him to the position of stormwater coordinator.
“The opportunity to invest in a city and promote awareness, as well as continue my education through my field are some of the things that drew me to the position … The most important part, for me, is contributing to the science of the environment and to the knowledge pool that the city of Warsaw uses to make decisions. I want Warsaw to be an example to other cities in how well we treat our water.”
Workman intends to get his masters in conservation biology and will begin working as a part-time stormwater coordinator on Monday, April 11.