Water Quality Intern

Summary of Responsibilities

Travels and collects water samples from designated MWCD reservoirs and process samples for Escherichia coli (E. coli) and other water quality parameters, under the guidance of the Water Quality Coordinator. 

Duties will involve water quality projects and assisting with interdepartmental projects, including MWCD Recreation, Trails, and Forestry departments as needed. Involvement with programs that MWCD promotes and fund including non-profit organizations such as Rural Action. 

Assist Water Quality Coordinator with projects in and around the MWCD reservoirs and across the District. 

Practices standard MWCD safety procedures in performing all job duties and assists other MWCD personnel as required, including boat operation. 

When appropriate, attends department and other organizational outreach events and meetings.

Intern is required to have an Ohio Boaters Education Certificate in order to operate the MWCD for conservation projects.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement 

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodation may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Functions include the following.  Other duties may be assigned.

Collects water samples at various MWCD reservoirs. Analyzes water samples for bacteria concentrations and other water quality constituents including blue-green algae. General laboratory duties include preparation of media and reagents, quality control of equipment and supplies, etc. Organizes and reports data results. Field work and data collection. Collaboration with outside research and projects. 

Skills and Abilities

Education:

Must have attained a four-year bachelor’s degree or be currently enrolled in a four-year bachelor’s degree program with emphasis on biology, environmental science, or related fields.

Experience:

Knowledge of, and experience in using established microbiology laboratory equipment and protocols, limnology field collecting gear and microscopes.

Computer Skills:

Basic computer skills, including experience with Word and Excel, are required. 

Certifications & Licenses:

Driver’s license valid in the State of Ohio.

Abilities:

Ability to keep accurate records and good organizational skills 

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms; climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl and taste or smell.  The employee is occasionally required to sit, walk through wooded or brushy areas The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The intern will be trained to use acids, bases and other laboratory chemicals used in standard water quality testing.

Other Requirements, Expectations, or Unusual Conditions

It is anticipated that individual fieldwork will dominate this position. The employee must possess a reasonable comfort level on boats and in lake water at wading depths. Must be insurable by the employer’s fleet insurance company. Good public communication skills are required. A valid driver’s license and willingness to travel is required. Boater’s Education certification is preferred. This position will require occasional work on weekends, early mornings, or evenings to in order to assist with research projects.