Water Quality Program Associate

WATER QUALITY PROGRAM ASSOCIATE

The Merrimack River Watershed Council (MRWC) seeks a full-time Water Quality Program Associate to join our dynamic and growing team. This role is ideal for someone who is a highly organized self-starter and prides themselves on collaborative teamwork, constructive problem solving, and precision/detail. This is an entry level position. Applicants should have a desire to gain technical skills in water quality science; training will be provided on the job. If you have a strong work ethic, passionate drive, and enduring commitment to water and climate justice in our watershed, consider joining our team.

About MRWC: MRWC is a nonprofit environmental organization that protects and improves the Merrimack River Watershed for all people and wildlife through science, education, recreation, and advocacy. We work with diverse stakeholders, decision makers and communities to address threats including water pollution, habitat loss, aging infrastructure, and climate change. MRWC has a main office in Lawrence, Massachusetts and a secondary office in Concord, New Hampshire. However, MRWC works throughout the entire 5,000 square mile watershed, which begins in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and flows out to the ocean at Newburyport and Salisbury, Massachusetts.

About the Position: The Associate will be supervised by the Water Quality Program Manager. The Associate will work within the MRWC Water Quality Department in the Lawrence office to expand monitoring capacity. The Associate will monitor the physical, chemical and biological integrity of the Merrimack River and its tributaries. The Associate will grow and manage a wide network of diverse water quality monitoring volunteers.

Key Responsibilities:

Water Quality Monitoring Program Assistance (Approximately 90% of work)

• Field data collection and recording
• Maintain water quality monitoring equipment and supply inventory
• Analyze samples using in-house IDEXX system
• Assist the Water Quality Project Manager in the following:
• • • Collect water quality data from the field
    • Data analysis, and technical reporting.
    • Data uploads to databases

General Organization Support (Approximately 10% of work)

• Minor admin tasks
• Outreach, tabling, stakeholder engagement
• Support community events
• • • Tabling, conferences and webinars
    • Tree plantings, trash cleanups, fish counts, and invasive species removal events

Required Qualifications:

Above all, we seek an individual who is motivated to take on new challenges and believes in this work. The ideal candidate is a collaborative self-starter with drive and enthusiasm. Required:

• Reliability
• Relevant school, volunteer and/or work experience
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite and ability to work in Excel.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, hydrology, aquatic biology, ecology, environmental chemistry, civil/environmental engineering or related field
• Experience managing volunteers
• Bilingual

Location: This position is based out of our Lawrence, MA office. Work occurs throughout the watershed so regular travel and field work within the watershed should be expected.

Schedule: Full-time non-exempt with options for flexible scheduling. This position requires early morning and weekend work, and occasional evening meetings and weekend events.

**This position requires field work, including on water, in boats, and on uneven terrain. Employment is contingent on ability to pass swimming and small boating certifications.

Salary and Benefits:

Starting salary is dependent on experience with a range of $52,000 – $56,000. Benefits package includes health/dental insurance (90% employer contribution) and an IRA with company match.