24796
Description
The West Virginia University Research Corporation / West Virginia Water Research Institute is currently accepting applications for a Water Remediation Specialist.
About the Opportunity:
The incumbent plays a pivotal role in supporting the coordination and implementation of West Virginia Water Research Institute (WVWRI) programs, including the Three Rivers QUEST (3RQ) program and acid mine drainage (AMD) programs. Responsibilities include assisting with grant and report writing, conducting field sampling events, and collaborating with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and various watershed groups to identify and implement acid mine drainage remediation projects. The incumbent also engages in various aspects of all WVWRI programs, encompassing program implementation, outreach, and reporting.
The incumbent assists in the coordination and implementation of WVWRI programs, providing essential support across multiple projects. They aid in the preparation of grant proposals and reports, ensuring timely and accurate submissions. Field sampling events are conducted, with data collected and analyzed to support program goals. Collaboration with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and watershed groups is crucial to identify and implement AMD remediation projects. Outreach efforts involve developing and maintaining working relationships with various volunteer groups, attending monthly meetings, and fostering strong connections with state, federal, and grassroots organizations. Under the direction of the Project Manager, the incumbent pursues opportunities for funding and program expansion.
In terms of supervision and coordination, the incumbent provides oversight and supervision to undergraduate student workers, ensuring productive and educational experiences. They coordinate field-related activities, offering direction and support to field teams to ensure efficient operations. Additionally, they deliver program support services to internal and external clients, responding to inquiries and independently resolving moderate to complex issues.
Responsibilities involve exercising judgment, resourcefulness, and originality in handling diverse tasks, applying or adapting available guides and precedents as necessary. The incumbent performs functional operation duties with a significant impact on personnel.
At WVU Research Corporation, we strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU Research Corporation offers a comprehensive benefits package with a variety of options to suit your needs:
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• PTO
• 403(b) retirement savings with a fully vested 3% employee contribution match, (Employees have the option of contributing an additional 1-3% of their earnings to the plan, which is also matched by the WVURC)
• A range of health insurance and various other benefits
• Dependent Education Scholarship
• WVU Perks
What you’ll do:
Coordination and Collaboration:
- National Mine Land Reclamation Center Program: Serve as a liaison between WVDEP and watershed groups, facilitating communication and collaboration.
- Funding and Proposal Management: Assist in securing funding for remediation projects by preparing narratives, budgets, and necessary documentation. Prepare applications for 319 (H) funding and coordinate efforts among various stakeholders.
Technical Project Management:
- Technical Project Management: Manage technical projects according to federal and state agreements, ensuring successful project completion by adhering to statements of work.
- Bid and Construction Oversight: Develop bid request packages, lead pre-bid meetings, oversee project construction, and ensure compliance with specifications in coordination with the project engineer.
- Quality Control and Permits: Develop and update quality control procedures and QAPPs, secure necessary permits prior to construction, and collaborate with engineering contractors and landowners.
Field and Laboratory Work:
- Sampling and Monitoring: Perform water chemistry sampling, place field monitoring equipment, and collect various samples (coal, overburden, water quality, stream biota) following established protocols and ensuring QA/QC.
- Equipment and Safety Management: Work with project managers to procure necessary supplies and materials, secure permits and right of entry agreements, maintain safety certification, and follow all lab procedures and safety protocols.
Site Investigation and Research:
- Site Prioritization and Investigation: Identify and prioritize reclamation sites, perform detailed site investigations, evaluate passive AMD treatment systems, conduct data analysis, and prepare technical reports and project briefings.
- Laboratory Evaluations: Conduct bench-scale laboratory evaluations of passive treatment technologies and support other research initiatives with the WVWRI.
Outreach and Communication
- Presentations and Liaison Work: Represent WVWRI at meetings, conferences, and workshops through presentations, serve as a liaison with volunteer group, and foster relationships with federal, state, and private organizations.
- Outreach Coordination: Assist in the planning and implementation of outreach initiatives including virtual events, educational field trips, and student volunteer opportunities. Oversees the publication of web materials such as fact sheets or story maps for remediation projects.
- Volunteer Group Assistance: Provide data management assistance to volunteer groups and effectively communicate program objectives to external organizations.
- Record Keeping: Maintain meeting notes, contact information, and related materials regarding WVWRI projects.
Office and Administrative Work
- Team Coordination: Organize field-related activities, provide direction and support to field teams, and coordinate efforts of graduate and undergraduate student workers.
- Data Management and Reporting: Perform data entry, manage water quality databases, create data visualization graphs, produce print-quality maps using GPS data, and perform spatial and statistical analyses using GIS platforms.
- Technical and Research Reporting: Write technical progress reports, final technical reports, research summaries, and scientific articles. Assist researchers with project completion, identify new research opportunities, and prepare proposals and budgets.
- Administrative Tasks: Maintain records of site visits and meetings with volunteer groups, manage internal tracking logs, and follow WVU procedures related to travel and reimbursement.
Supervisory/Lead Role
- The position reports to the project manager. Normally receives limited instructions on routine work and general instructions on new assignments. General sharing of knowledge and team participation are expected in the role. Initiates program, project, or activity lead and work coordination. Manages and performs project tasks in accordance with contracts, task schedules, keeping within budget.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental science, or a natural resources-related field.
- A minimum of two (2) years of experience in water quality research and developing grant proposals; and/or
- A minimum of two (2) years of experience with volunteer organizations, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Training/certificates associated with surface and/or groundwater sampling.
- Familiarity with acid mine drainage remediation.
Ability to read and understand request for proposals, agency requirements for submission of proposals and reports, article format and submission guidelines, and other formal requirements required. - Excellent communication skills
- Excellent organizational skills.
- Experience in field sampling
- Advanced understanding and experience with fundamental laboratory procedures
- Maintains skills in, or knowledge of, professional principles, legal, and/or reporting requirements affective the area of responsibility.
- Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes the use of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, disposal methods.
- Knowledge of water quality issues common in West Virginia, such as acid mine drainage, total dissolved solids, and bacterial contamination.
- Knowledge of computer software, including Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Access as well as ArcGIS
- Thorough knowledge of correct English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure.
- Ability to use sensitive field sampling equipment such as pH meter, DO meter, GPS unit, etc.
- Ability to operate a 4×4 vehicle to travel to, around, and from research sites for data collection.
- Ability to read, analyze and interpret professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
- Ability to write reports, correspondence, and procedures.
- Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, researchers, and the general public.
- Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry
- Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.
- Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
- Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form
- Ability to work independently without direct supervision
- Ability to coordinate and generate cooperation from research team members
- Ability to think creatively and offer solutions to complex problems
- Ability to work well with others, both internal to WVWRI and with external collaborators.
Behavioral Competencies:
- Management skills – Coordinates people and tasks to bring projects to satisfactory completion on time and within budget.
- Proposal development skills – understands solicitations, assists research team members, assists with writing proposals.
- Technical skills – strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; pursues training and development opportunities; assess strengths, weaknesses, and shares expertise with others.
Requirements
- Valid Driver’s License
About Research Corporation
The WVURC was created as a not-for-profit corporation in 1985 to support research (R1) at West Virginia University. We provide evaluation, development, patenting, management, and marketing services for inventions of the faculty, staff and students of the University.
The WVURC receives and administers funds awarded by external agencies for research and other activities and is responsible for helping protect intellectual property through patents, copyrights and licensing agreements for start-up companies based on University research.
Creating an inclusive, engaged, and dynamic environment is core to WVURC’s mission. We welcome candidates who can contribute a range of ideas, approaches and experiences.
West Virginia University Research Corporation is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. We value diversity among its employees and invites applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.
Job Posting: Jul 22, 2024
Posting Classification: Research Corporation
Exemption Status: Non-Exempt
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Schedule: Full-time
