Summer Machine Operator - Lab & Grounds

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening.

To apply for the position, please click the Apply for this Job link/button.

If you would like to bookmark this position for later review, click on the Bookmark link. If you would like to print a copy of this position for your records, click on the Print Preview link.

You must be an enrolled student at Oberlin College & Conservatory to qualify.

A complete application will be comprised of
1) a Statement of Interest;
2) a Resume;
3) List of References

Review of applications will begin on March 26th

Questions about the position may be addressed to: ben.hobbs

Announcement Information

Job Summary

The Environmental Studies Program will be hiring two (2) Living Machine Operators, one (1) of whom must be able to work DURING THE SUMMER OF 2026. We are seeking applicants with experience in lab sciences, demonstrated ability to work independently, and a strong work ethic. The student operators will share the responsibilities of caring for the Living Machine, as well as the building and grounds of the Adam Joseph Lewis Center ( AJLC ) and will have principal responsibilities related to:

• Maintaining a water quality monitoring program associated with the Living Machine and Plum Creek.
• Management and maintenance of the AJLC grounds and garden

With respect to water quality monitoring, the students will help maintain the Living Machine through regularly scheduled water quality testing as well as assisting in the maintenance of the automated, real-time water quality monitoring technology for Plum Creek and effluent from the City’s Wastewater Treatment plant. A staff member or members will make bi-weekly visits to the plant to calibrate and verify the function of automated sensors that collect and display water quality data.

Together with other staff, collect weekly samples from several regular sampling points along the Plum Creek and will conduct water quality analyses and assist in the development of a rating curve. Inside the Living Machine, staff collect and conduct weekly operations assessments of the health of the system, they sample water for more sophisticated testing in the lab, and they manage and maintain the vegetation in the tanks of the system.

Lastly, those staff who are additionally hired to work during the summer will be responsible for garden duties, including watering, weeding, pruning, harvesting, and delivery of foodstuffs to Oberlin Community Services as well as all the responsibilities listed above. Additionally, staff will mow and edge according to a schedule, and in general aid in a continued effort to keep the AJLC looking good.

Operators are also expected to participate in our Living Machine Open Hours at least three times per semester. Open Hours are held every Friday from 12:30-3:30 at the Living Machine Mini-Lab and allow interested students to drop in and ask questions or get more information about what we do.

Qualifications

We will be hiring two (2) operators total to start in the Spring of 2026, however one (1) new student operator must be able to continue on through the Summer of 2026. Summer work is a full 40-hour week for approximately 8 weeks.

The Ideal Candidate will:

• Have taken at least one laboratory science while a student at Oberlin.

• Have strong interest in working as a student operator beyond the  academic year

New Student Operators will be paid $13.00/hr upon hiring.

Special Instructions to Applicants

You must be an enrolled student at Oberlin College & Conservatory to qualify.

A complete application will be comprised of
1) a Statement of Interest;
2) a Resume;
3) List of References

Review of applications will begin on March 26th

Questions about the position may be addressed to: ben.hobbs

Required Documents

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Office of Human Resources
Oberlin College
173 West Lorain Street
Oberlin OH 44074

(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

Phone:
Fax:
Hours: M-F 8:00 a.m.

- 5:00 p.m.

human.resources