Water Quality Assistant

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION•Columbia, MO

6d•$20 - $25

About The Position

The Water Quality Assistant supports an emergency response program to aquatic health issues like fish kills and harmful algal blooms among internal and external partners. The Assistant aids the Scientist in managing information in several large databases, provides technical support and training to regional staff, and participates in program research for investigating water quality issues. The Assistant manages shared lab space and automated water quality equipment for monitoring projects.

Requirements

Bachelor’s in Fisheries, Biological Sciences, Limnology, Environmental Science, or related field.
Excellent communication skills.
One or more years of experience working with large datasets
One or more years of field season experience with fish sampling, taxonomic identification and laboratory processing of samples
Must maintain a valid, current driver’s license.
Ability to pass an approved boating safety course and obtain a Missouri Boating Safety Certification Card within 6 months of employment.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Ability to work independently and act decisively on the determined course of action.
Knowledge of basic water quality, limnology, and stream ecology.
Ability to work with and communicate with internal and external partners, organizations, and individuals in a timely and professional manner.
Knowledge of maintaining and operating YSI, EXO, datasondes, or other equipment used for monitoring water quality.
Ability to work in cave ecosystems in tight and dark conditions.
Knowledge of Microsoft Access, Excel, R, and other database management techniques is desired.
Ability to coordinate and successfully lead teams in a professional manner in the field and lab.
Ability to operate boats, outboard motors, trucks with trailers, and commonly used sampling gear for fishes, macroinvertebrates, algae, and water quality.
Knowledge to identify Midwestern fish species.
Ability to work irregular hours and weekends with the possibility of extended travel during seasonal sampling periods.
Ability to maintain accurate and organized records.
Ability to operate office equipment, such as printer, copier, and phone.
Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.

Nice To Haves

One or more years of experience with water quality equipment is highly desirable.
Previous experience leading others in field and lab work, highly desired.

Responsibilities

Maintain Data Sonde fleet, which includes: pre- and post-deployment calibrations, cleaning instruments after deployment, routine maintenance, coordinating service repairs with contractor, ordering supplies and reagents, and working with the Scientist to establish future contracts.
Construct deployment platforms and cages to deploy Data Sondes and other deployable field equipment.
Manage fish kill investigation cases with natural causes (non-regulated cases), including ensuring data is accurate by communicating with the investigator, maintaining accurate correspondence records and evidence across several databases, and answering questions from investigators when needed.
Responsible for upholding MDC's part of the multi-agency Harmful Algal Bloom Monitoring Team by ensuring that HABs on MDC-owned properties are properly responded to and by maintaining these cases in a shared database.
Assists Scientist with monitoring and research of aquatic health issues, including lab and field studies, by serving as crew leader and coordinating data collection across branches and regions.
Supports peer-reviewed research and communications, such as poster and verbal presentations, summary reports, and manuscripts.
Providing training to regional staff on maintenance, calibration, and deployment of automated water quality equipment.
Participate in reviewing applications, conducting interviews, and recommending hires for seasonal and part-time employees, and interns.
Interact with internal and external customers through telephone, virtual, and in-person discussions.
Review and update standard operating procedures for fish kill investigations, water quality lab, equipment, and applications.
Ensure chemical safety protocols are being followed in the water quality lab, and safety protocols are being followed in the field.
Vehicle and boat maintenance and coordination.
Assists in creating and providing procedural training materials to internal or external partners in response to events such as fish kills, aquatic animal mortality events, health investigations, water quality, etc.
Assist other Health Unit initiatives when time permits, which may include assisting Conservation Health Section with field and lab monitoring efforts including collecting and processing biological and environmental samples, and accurately aging otoliths and spines; assisting with hatchery fish health projects; assisting with updating monetary damages of fish and wildlife.