Environmental Technician III - LaRosa Partnership Program - Temporary

at State of Vermont in Randolph, Vermont, United States

Job Description

The Biomonitoring and Aquatic Studies Section of the Rivers Program seeks a motivated individual passionate about water quality science and collaborating with community partners to protect Vermont's rivers and streams to assist with coordinating the LaRosa Partnership Program (LPP). The LPP generates over 4,000 water chemistry samples from more than 200 stream sites statewide, producing meaningful water quality data for the VT DEC and partner organizations while educating and engaging the public on issues of stream health. 

Alongside the LPP Coordinator, the Assistant Coordinator will help implement the LPP and serve as a primary contact for the community partners to guide and support them in collecting water chemistry samples biweekly from May through August. The Assistant Coordinator will be responsible for overseeing the logistics of sample collection and submission, developing a working knowledge of the sources and significance of the parameters monitored, and analyzing and interpreting the chemistry data collected. 

This position is stationed at the Vermont Agriculture and Environmental Laboratory, located in Randolph Center, VT. Some work outside regular hours is required, including field days exceeding the standard 8-hour workday and possible occasional overnight trips throughout the state. 

The position is responsible for the following job duties:  

• Provide responsive technical support to partner groups to ensure sampling is conducted accurately and efficiently.
• Assist with coordinating logistics and preparations for water quality sampling throughout the season.
• Track and maintain inventories and maps of sampling sites, water quality parameters, and flow observations.
• Assist with driving around the state as needed to pick up and deliver samples to the state laboratory.
• Independently submit samples in accordance with laboratory procedures.
• Plan and conduct partner training sessions and site visits.
• Develop supplemental educational, outreach, and training resources for partner groups.
• Review sample records and data for errors (e.g., missing information, contamination, and improper sampling procedures) and resolve discrepancies.
• Assist with quality assurance of sampling data to prepare it for publication via the state database and the LPP data display tools.
• Assist with additional data management, reporting, and analysis tasks.
• On a limited, as-needed basis, assist Biomonitoring and Aquatic Studies Section staff with field or laboratory tasks.

Desirable experience and skills include:

• Knowledge of water quality and chemistry, including experience with monitoring and interpreting the chemical condition of freshwater ecosystems
• Experience operating and calibrating water chemistry equipment and instrumentation
• Ability to conduct field-based tasks, carrying up to 30 lbs in rivers and streams
• Ability to work independently and with a team to build positive collaborative relationships with internal and external partners.
• Excellent communication skills through written and spoken word, for technical and non-technical audiences.  
• Excellent organization and time management skills
• Ability to manage and analyze data with Excel, GIS, and/or R statistical coding.
• Possession of a valid driver's license
• Environmental Factors

  Duties are performed in both a standard office setting and in the field, for which private means of transportation must be available. Field work may involve exposure to chemicals, gases, hazardous liquid and solid waste, construction sites during all weather conditions and may involve traversing rough terrain and bodies of water. Heavy lifting and climbing may be required. Some work outside of regular work schedule may be necessary. Strong and conflicting opinions may be encountered.