Water Quality Assistant – Temporary Part-Time Position

About Community Science Institute: Community Science Institute is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and NYSDOH ELAP-certified water testing lab. Our mission is to empower communities to protect water quality through volunteer stream and lake monitoring in the Cayuga Lake watershed and the surrounding region. You can read more about our water quality monitoring and education programs on our website: www.communityscience.org.

In addition to our primary mission work, we offer fee-based, certified drinking water testing services for the Cayuga Lake region and count the Tompkins County Health Department and Cornell University as well as dozens of businesses and hundreds of private homeowners among our clients. In this way we provide a valuable service to our community while earning fees that help support our nonprofit mission.

About the Position: As a Water Quality Assistant at Community Science Institute, you will support our staff and volunteers as we create long-term regulatory quality datasets on regional water quality and educate the public about their local water resources. This position involves both laboratory work and administrative/customer service work.

Responsibilities and Opportunities of the Position:

• Perform wet chemistry procedures, for example, Fluridone and microbiological assays. Training will be provided for all laboratory procedures.
• Prepare culture media, reagents, and laboratory standards
• Help organize and order laboratory supplies
• Wash sample bottles and laboratory glassware
• Assist with the implementation of our outreach and education programs (some weekend work required)
• Provide support to administrative staff (e.g. customer service, report preparation, placing orders, etc.)
• Assist with sample transport and preservation for our Cayuga Lake Harmful Algal Bloom monitoring program (some weekend work required)

 Minimum qualifications:

• At least 2 semesters of chemistry courses and/or 1 semester of microbiology or molecular biology
• Ability to take initiative, work independently, solve problems, and pay attention to detail
• Comfortable working as a member of a small team and supporting teammates
• Customer service experience
• Enthusiasm for CSI’s mission

Enhancing qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Environmental Science, Biology, or related discipline
• Professional laboratory experience
• Experience working with volunteers and nonprofits

Special requirements:

• Able to lift more than 25 pounds
• Fine motor skills

Hours, compensation, and schedule:

• Temporary, part-time position
• 20-25 hours/week
• Rate of pay: $17.00/hour
• Work hours: Monday – Thursday afternoons with occasional weekend work
  • Work hours could be somewhat flexible depending upon the applicant’s schedule
• Start date: As soon as possible
• End date: Late September/Early October (flexible)

Application: Please email your resume and a cover letter stating why you are interested in the position to: Dr. Grascen Shidemantle, Executive Director, Community Science Institute (info@communityscience.org). Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Inclusion statement: We encourage qualified applicants from historically underrepresented groups in the sciences to apply. We will fully consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, culture, ethnicity, national origin, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, lifestyle, marital status, or veteran status.