Water Quality and Field Technician Lake Management District

The Lake Ripley Management District (District) is a local, special-purpose unit of government dedicated to improving and protecting the water quality, ecological health, and recreational values of Lake Ripley. The District is seeking an enthusiastic individual to serve as a Water Quality and Field Technician.

This position is based in Cambridge, Wisconsin, and will operate under the direction and supervision of the District’s Lake Manager, with oversight by the Chairperson of the Lake Ripley Management District. The Water Quality and Field Technician is responsible for carrying out assigned programs and projects in line with the District’s management plans.

Majority of work to be performed outdoors in varied temperatures and occasionally in rough terrain. Employee must wear appropriate attire for field work. The employee will be exposed to outdoor temperature, humidity, wetness and dust. Work includes walking, operation of a vehicle and water quality related equipment, and work in a standard office setting. The position requires moderate exertion, lifting and carrying objects between 10-50 pounds.

While working in the field the employee may walk on uneven or level ground surfaces such as hills, slopes, or ditches. The noise level in the work environment is moderate noise.

Employees who drive on District business to carry out job-related duties must possess a valid Wisconsin driver’s license. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles and equipment safely.

• Water Quality Monitoring:
• Schedule and perform biweekly or monthly lake and creek water quality testing using handheld equipment.
• Operate and calibrate various laboratory and field equipment in accordance with quality control requirements.
• Maintain equipment maintenance files.
• Install, maintain and monitor instruments that measure and record the flow of water.
• Routinely checks monitoring equipment throughout the season.
• Transporting or mail samples to the State Lab of Hygiene for testing.
• Record all data internally and to the DNR SWIMS database.
• Ability to interpret specific water quality test results relative to program guidelines.
• Enter water quality data into database. Organizes and summarizes data, prepares reports and spreadsheets.
• Order supplies and perform bottle inventory.
• Review and research regulations and water quality issues to stay current on changes.
• Carry out or assist with DNR grant-mandated activities such as: collecting water quality measurements, shocking and seining fish species, maintaining a rearing pond, creating detailed reports with photo documentation.
• Complete macroinvertebrate sampling twice a year, in the spring and fall.
• Promote the District’s cost-share program to riparian and watershed landowners. Educate and assist in preparing cost-share applications, which may include preparing contract agreements, applying for permits, developing RFPs and overseeing the installation and tracking of watershed Best Management Practices.
• Assist Lake Manager in implementing the long-term restoration and management plan for a 244-acre conservancy owned by the District.
• Maintain vehicles, boats and equipment.
• Support the District’s goals and objectives and work with management to achieve goals and objectives.
• Follows applicable safety rules and regulations.
• Discuss the progress of your goals every week to the Lake Manager
• Present a report detailing the progress of your year’s goals to the Board of Directors at a monthly board meeting near the end of the year (Third Saturday of every month at 9:00am).
• Any other duties assigned by Lake Manager and/or Chairperson throughout the course of employment.

This position requires a detail-oriented, collaborative, hard-working, versatile individual who is committed to improving ecological health of the land and capable of learning quickly. Preference will be given to candidates with a minimum of, or working towards, a bachelor’s degree in the field of environmental science/engineering, limnology, watershed or natural resources management, aquatic ecology, geoscience, biology, hydrology, or similar discipline. Desired…