Bio:
John M.S. King is an Environmental Resource Analyst with West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s (WVDEP) Office of Environmental Advocate. In 2010, WVDEP created two new positions within the advocate office due to an increased public interest and awareness of environmental issues. John serves the northern region of the state and provides special assistance to communities and individuals who need help resolving environmental issues or finding pertinent information. The advocate office touches all aspects of WVDEP and must stay attuned to regulatory changes and current events. In order to track such a wide array of important issues, John is developing an innovative visual aid for enhanced communication that combines Google mapping software with crowdsourcing techniques and Virtual Reality technology. Using free online mapping tools and 360 photography, John helps stakeholders visualize “what & where,” which ultimately contributes to a greater level of understanding and stakeholder collaboration. He Officially joined WVDEP in 2006 as an Environmental Resource Specialist in the Public Information Office with the Youth Environmental Program. In 2008 he transferred to the Environmental Enforcement section within the Division of Water and Waste Management. As an Environmental Inspector, John helped citizens resolve complaints, provided permittees with compliance assistance and enforced NPDES permit terms and conditions in Wood and Wirt Counties. John is also captain of WVDEP’s Dive Team and is proficient in underwater sampling, monitoring, and investigations. He is a founding member of the Morris Creek Watershed Association (MCWA) located in the Upper Kanawha Valley and credits the organization’s volunteer efforts as sole inspiration for choosing to work in the environmental field.