Position: Part Time Lab Assistant for Community Science Water Quality Projects
About CURB:
Launched June 2013, the Center for the Urban River at Beczak (CURB) is an alliance of Sarah Lawrence College and the Hudson River Valley Environmental Education Institute. The mission of CURB is to advance environmental knowledge and stewardship by providing high quality K-12 environmental education for the local community, establishing a regional hub for research and monitoring focused on Hudson River estuary and urban watershed issues, and serving as a welcoming open community space for a variety of civic and cultural activities. The Center occupies the former Beczak Environmental Education Center, a well-loved river exploration and interpretative center that has been offering programs for adults and children for over twenty years. Its name honors Joe Beczak, one of the Hudson River enthusiasts who taught children about the Hudson in the 1970s.
Job Duties and Responsibilities:
CURB seeks a part time seasonal lab assistant to process water samples taken by community scientists from area creeks and rivers.
The project measures levels of fecal indicator bacteria, used to assess recreational water quality, using IDEXX Enterolert testing system at the Center for the Urban River at Beczak. The job requires strict adherence to protocols to preserve the integrity of samples, including the use of latex gloves to prevent sample contamination. The process involves receiving samples from community scientists, preparing lab samples, maintaining lab equipment and ensuring quality control and quality assurance protocols are adhered to, reading sample results, and inputting and managing data.
In addition the Lab Assistant will be tasked as needed to work with CURB staff on a variety of projects ranging from additional water quality studies using YSI multiparameter probes, to assisting with a variety of youth education and community programs (no teaching will be required).
The Lab Assistant reports to the Director of CURB.
Term:
Candidates must be free on specific dates from May to October 2016 when community science projects take place.
Weekend dates are once a month, falling on the 2nd weekend of the month: Saturday (approx. 6 hours), and Sunday (approx. 3 hours). Weekday dates are biweekly, starting May 19, on Thursdays and Fridays (6 hours each).
Weekends (2nd of Month) / Weekdays (Thu/Fri Biweekly)May / 14-15 / 19-20
June / 11-12 / 2-3, 16-17
July / 9-10 / 30 (June)-1, 14-15
August / 13-14 / 4-5, 18-19
Sept / 10-11 / 1-2, 15-16, 29-30
Oct / 8-9* / 13-14, 27-28
*Note: Columbus Day Weekend
In addition, a weekday training session in the first or second week of May will be scheduled.
Employment term has the potential to be increased in number of hours or extended past the project period depending on a number of factors. Total base number of hours for project term is approximately 200 hours.
Qualifications:
The idea candidate will have experience working in a laboratory setting, following quality assurance and quality control protocols, and managing data.
Candidates should be:
- Unfailingly reliable and detail oriented.
- Self-motivated.
- Comfortable working with a diverse public audience.
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets.
- Able to work effectively with others in a team environment.
- Enthusiastic about the field of environmental education.
- Interested and comfortable working in a dynamic "start-up" environment.
- Able to travel occasionally and attend some evening events.
- Flexible and have a sense of humor!
- Committed to improving the local environment, particularly water quality in the Hudson River Watershed.
Compensation
This is an hourly part time positon, exempt from benefits. Hourly rate negotiable based on experience.
Background check required.
To Apply:
Send cover letter and resume to with “Lab Assistant” as the subject.