Star Island Water Quality Apprentice
The Water Quality Apprentices work to provide clean, reliable drinking water to island residents and visitors and ensure effective day-to-day operation of the island’s wastewater treatment facility. This includes maintaining compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit (NPDES), Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requirements, and state statutes. This is an opportunity to learn in a hands-on setting and apply a systems-thinking approach, necessary on a small, resource-limited island.
Primary Responsibilities:
· Implement testing schedules to meet permit requirements, perform regular process testing, and follow appropriate protocols to collect representative samples for all analyses.
· Routine operation and maintenance of wastewater treatment facility systems and equipment.
· Daily water treatment and distribution system operation: rounds, water sampling and analysis, system checks and repairs, water delivery via boat, operation of reverse osmosis and rainwater filtration systems.
· Complete daily data entry and assist chief operator with preparation of monthly regulatory reports.
· Keep work areas and grounds safe, clean, and organized.
· Assist with seasonal start-up, shut-down, and repair of wastewater collection system and process tanks/equipment, and drinking water treatment and distribution systems. This may involve plumbing, pump repair, painting, and light carpentry.
· Manage wastewater biosolids: rounds, sludge transfer, processing on drying beds, and composting.
· Participate in regular environmental services team meetings, tasks (compost!), outreach, and projects.
This is not a comprehensive list, and other duties and projects will be assigned as necessary.
This is a residential position on Star Island. Star Island is part of the Isles of Shoals, a small group of islands just off the coast of Maine and New Hampshire. The island is home to a seasonal conference center serving nearly 300 guests a week and operated by just over 100 staff members. Star Island is a great place to be a part of a dynamic community, experience island living, and enjoy a unique natural environment. For more information about Star Island see http://starisland.org/ .