Grade 4

Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority

Water Resources Assistant

(Intern Program)

(Temporary / Part-time)

Job Description

SUMMARY

Assists the Water Department with Water Resource functions related to Authority’s Reservoir Water Quality Sampling program, and the Water Department operational duties.Does related work as required. Work is performed under the regular supervision of the Water Department Manager.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES may include any of the following. Other duties may be assigned.To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

  • Collects watersamples and performs basic water quality testing at five drinking water reservoirs and several streams using scientific field equipment.
  • Conducts visual inspection of sampling sites and maintains field notes.
  • Conducts visual inspections of water supply reservoirs and the upstream watersheds.
  • Conducts visual inspections of water storage tank sites and fences as directed
  • Assists in the processing and analysis of data collected.
  • Maintains spreadsheets and data trends on water quality data.
  • Conducts basic water quality sampling and analyses at various water treatment plants, and assists Water Department with other daily tasks as needed.
  • Assists in the RWSA Laboratory with analyses, as needed.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Current or graduated college student with study concentration in chemistry, biology, microbiology, environmental science, environmental engineering, water resources or related field. Experience with computers and computer software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point. Experience with water quality sampling and analysis a plus. Boating license a plus.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively by phone or in person to employees of the organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Basic college level mathematical skills required.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Ability to collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, etc.) and with a variety of qualitative and quantitative variables.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Possess a valid Virginia Driver's License.

Completion of the Virginia Boating Safety Education Requirement is a plus

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee must travel to remote watershed locations where access is difficult and may involve climbing stream banks or hillsides, or walking on slippery rock surfaces. Employee must be able to use a boat, and have basic swimming skills. A significant portion of the time in this position is invested in the watershed, in boats, or conducting shoreline investigations. The employee is required to sit, stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, stoop, climb, crouch and smell. The employee is required to hear, feel and talk. The employee must have close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. During field activities the employee may be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, snow or other adverse weather conditions, as well as wildlife, plants, and other natural components of the outside environment.