The Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) is seeking two field technicians from late April-October. The Water Quality Field Technician(s) will perform water quality monitoring and to work on siting and design of green infrastructure installations in eight municipalities in the Mystic River watershed. 

About the Mystic River Watershed Association

The MyRWA works to protect and restore the health of the 21-community watershed for the benefit of both people and the natural environment. Founded in 1972, MyRWA has grown to a staff of 11 and an annual budget of more than $2 million. 

For more than 20 years, our water quality program has gathered high quality field science data with the aim of influencing public policy and practice in a way that protects our rivers, lakes and streams. MyRWA’s baseline water quality monitoring program forms the core of our annual Water Quality Report Card, co-published annually by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) and MyRWA. A long-term MyRWA study on nutrient pollution resulted in the publication of an Alternative TMDL Report on phosphorus pollution in 2020, co-issued by EPA and the Massachusetts Department of Protection. And recent grants support the work of siting more than 300 small-scale green infrastructure installations around the watershed. 

This is an exciting time to join a highly collaborative and dedicated team. We are committed to incorporating racial equity and justice throughout our programs, operations, staff and board on an ongoing basis.  We have embarked on a year-long training and strategic plan update to ensure that we are fully living into these values. 

Responsibilities and Duties

This position is an excellent opportunity to learn and deploy skills in environmental field work, data management, and green infrastructure siting and design, in the context of an effective, place-based non-profit. Specific responsibilities include:

• Working closely with watershed scientist to site and design small-scale retrofit green infrastructure trenches at catch basins, as phosphorus controls. No previous experience with green infrastructure is necessary. Training will be provided.
  • Field work for trench siting includes site visits, physical measurements, consultation of municipal utility records, data management, photographs, and other details.
  • Desktop work for green infrastructure involves production of plans at more than 200 locations, using a standard design detail, subject to local constraints.
• Bi-weekly water quality sampling for phosphorus, chlorophyll, and cyanobacteria from boat and land, including use of electronic water quality sonde. Periodic sampling for bacteria at stormwater outfalls during wet weather events.
• Lab filtering of chlorophyll samples for nutrient study, and implementation of new cyanobacteria protocols including fluorometer measurements and microscopy.
• Transport of samples to EPA lab in Chelmsford, MA, and elsewhere.  
• Assistance administering monthly baseline water quality monitoring program, as possible, including driving of samples. 

Qualifications

Position Requirements:

• Ability to manage multiple tasks/projects at the same time.
• Ability to work independently to develop and execute priorities and also work closely with a partner.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Ability to travel throughout the watershed during scheduled activities.
• Ability to work early morning sampling hours (occasional 7AM start time). 

Position Preferences:

• Some field experience in environmental field science preferred.
• Familiarity with data collection and data management techniques.
• Knowledge of GIS software and/or AutoCAD or Adobe Illustrator preferred.
• Knowledge of R useful.  
• Knowledge of a second language relevant to our watershed (e.g., Spanish, Haitian Creole, Chinese, Vietnamese, Portuguese, French).
• Experience with small motorboats preferred. 

Compensation and Benefits

• This is a part-time position, 20-hours a week.
• The rate will be $25/hr.

Location

• Due to COVID-19, staff is currently working remotely. 
• Our office is located in Arlington, Massachusetts, where occasional lab work and instrument calibration will be done with local travel throughout the watershed. 
  • Expected work hours will fall between 9-5pm, with some early starts.
  • Field work will require coordination with partner observing COVID-precautions (social distancing, masks, only working together outdoors). 

How to Apply

• Please click "Apply" below to email resume and cover letter. 
• No calls, please. 
• The position will be open until filled.
• Please put Water Quality Field Technician in the subject line.

MyRWA’s goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the people we serve.  We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from people of color, LGBTQIA people, people living with disabilities, military veterans and other under-represented populations.