The Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District (KWRD) Wastewater Surveillance Intern

 

The Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District (KWRD) Wastewater Surveillance Intern 

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a strategic partnership between the Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District (KWRD) and NIU: The DeKalb wastewater surveillance testing program. The testing of wastewater for the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, contributes to the public health and well-being of both the NIU campus and the surrounding communities through an electronic dashboard that reports results to the public and is updated three times each week. Wastewater from two community sites adjacent to the west and north sides of NIU campus and from the KWRD treatment plant influent is currently tested as well as seven additional collection sites across the NIU campus. This community-level testing replaced individual (Shield) surveillance testing in the fall of 2022. 

We seek an intern to assist and contribute to this expanded wastewater surveillance testing program, beginning in the summer of 2023. The intern will be responsible for retrieving wastewater samples from the seven sites across the NIU campus, and maintaining the fleet of composite sampling pumps that mediate wastewater collection. The intern delivers the wastewater samples to an NIU BSL2 testing laboratory facility on campus that processes and measures SARS-CoV2 and other pathogens in the samples. The intern will work as part of a KWRD-NIU team and gain experience in community-level wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE), an established and evolving high demand field in public health. 

KWRD Wastewater Surveillance Intern FAQ: 

What is the time commitment for Internship? 

While flexible, the intern will work up to 20 hours/week performing duties related to wastewater collection and analysis, as well as any duties assigned to help managers at the KWRD main offices. 

What are the duties associated with the internship? 

The primary duties will be to maintain the fleet of portable pumps across campus and harvest wastewater samples three times per week. Such duties include: 

 changing the rechargeable batteries on each pump 

 transferring wastewater in the collection reservoir into a sample bottle for transport back to the lab 

 repositioning and clearing the intake hose back into the wastewater stream, as needed 

 resetting the pump for the subsequent 24-hour collection cycle 

 assisting with some of the analytical duties in the laboratory, as needed 

 operating a vehicle dedicated to the retrieval of field samples 

What are the qualifications for the internship? 

Candidates for this position must be NIU students in good academic standing and possess the physical strength to lift and lower up to 50 lbs (pump plus full reservoir, move sewer lids as needed, etc.). Ideally, the intern should have an interest in a wastewater-related career (public health, water reclamation, water quality, lab science, epidemiology) and a major in areas related to the program (biology, chemistry, public health, medical lab science, environmental studies, engineering, etc.), but these are not rigid requirements. 

When does the internship begin and how long does it run? 

The internship is projected to start in May 2023, and run throughout the 2023-24 academic year. 

Is this a paid position? 

Yes; the position pays $16/hour 

How do I apply? 

Applicants should send a letter of interest, current resume or c.v., and an unofficial transcript to both: 

Mike Holland, Chief Engineer Dr. Barrie Bode 

Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District Director of COVID-19 Testing 

mholland@kishwrd.com bodebp@niu.edu 

2023 Buyout Administrative Support Internship

The Stormwater Management Commission (SMC) is seeking 1 intern to assist with administrative support for the SMC Buyout Program. Before applying for this position, please be sure to visit https://www.lakecountyil.gov/3973/Flood-Information-and-Programs to learn more about the Voluntary Floodplain Buyout Program.

The successful candidate will spend the majority of the time in the office with some field visits under the guidance of SMC staff. The candidate will be involved in three phases of the program 1) Buyout Administrative Support will involve a variety of tasks to include, but not limited to, homeowner correspondence, project cost tracking, and property transfer assistance. 2) Bid Administrative Support will include, but not limited to, maintaining bid files, asbestos abatement planning and supervision, bid development and writeup, bid opening, bid tabulation, bid award and rejection notices, reference checks for winning bids, performance bonds, liability insurance, and gathering required documentation for bids. 3) Demolition Project Administrative Support will include, but not limited to, maintaining demolition files, scheduling demolitions, permit support, notice to proceed checklists, Habitat for Humanity and Recycling/Reuse coordination, site compliance and supervision, site documentation, coordination with other Lake County departments to facilitate utility disconnects, purchase and payment requests, and maintaining accounting and budget balances. 4) Other duties as assigned

To be successful in this position, candidates must possess a high level of attention to detail, strong written and verbal communication skills, and intermediate level knowledge of Microsoft Office products. The candidate will also possess the ability to work both inside and outside in variable conditions and be willing to engage in limited to moderately strenuous physical activity.

We are looking for candidates who are a graduate of, or current student in, a 2- or 4-year higher education program with an emphasis on environmental science, geography, urban planning, hazard or disaster (specifically flood) mitigation planning and who have an interest in local and federal government processes. Experience with ESRI ArcGIS software is highly desirable but not required. Every effort will be made to provide County vehicles for field use; however, candidates must have their own transportation for traveling to and from field sites, if needed. The candidate must have a valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record.

This is an office position with regular Monday through Friday work hours (for example 8:00am – 4:30pm). Alternative work schedules are available including varying start times with the possibility for remote work opportunities depending on assignment. Candidate will work approximately 40 hours per week for up to 25 weeks, not to exceed 1,000 hours. The desired start date is flexible. Class credit may be available for these internships; please check with your academic advisor. Questions should be directed to Jeff Laramy at jlaramy@lakecountyil.gov or 847-377-7709.

Visit our Prospective Employee page to get additional information on why you should work for Lake County! To learn more about the department you will be working for, visit the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission Website. To learn more about other services Lake County provides and to see some of our employees in action visit our website to view videos. If you need assistance writing your resume, we have some tools to help you at our Human Resources website.

Any offer of employment is conditioned on the successful completion of a background screening, drug and alcohol testing, and may include a pre-employment medical exam at a County-approved medical facility, at no cost to the applicant. Lake County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To apply for this internship, visit https://tinyurl.com/2p8x6axj

Job Location Libertyville, Illinois, United States

Position Type Intern

Salary $18.00 USD

Applications will be accepted until June 30, 2023

 

2023 Summer Institute in Survey Research Techniques Diversity Fellowship

 

2023 Summer Institute in Survey Research Techniques Diversity Fellowship-THERE IS STILL TIME YO APPLY! The Summer Institute in Survey Research Techniques (SISRT) is committed to advancing the University’s Diversity, Equity and, Inclusion goals.  The 5th Annual Diversity Fellowship Program was offered as part of the 2023 Summer Institute program.  This opportunity consisted of a two-week program (July 10-21, 2023) geared toward upper-level undergraduates from the University of Michigan and other colleges and institutions from around the country.  All courses will be offered in an alternative remote format.  Application is open until June 14, 2023.

 

Apply NOW

 

More Information: Applicants who are considering graduate school in quantitative social science fields will be given strong preference.  This program will provide a broad overview of the field of survey methodology. We hope the program will encourage interest in graduate studies in the Michigan Program in Survey and Data Science. Candidates should be an undergraduate and meet one or more of the following criteria: Come from educational, cultural or geographic backgrounds that are underrepresented in survey methodology in the United States or the University of Michigan; Have demonstrated sustained commitment to diversity in the academic, professional, or civic realm through their work experience, volunteer engagement, or leadership of student or community organizations to reduce social, educational or economic disparities; and/or Have experienced financial hardship as a result of family economic circumstances. Will be the first generation in their families to graduate from a 4-year college. Please share this with anyone you feel could benefit from this program.  I am happy to answer any questions you may have. Thank you, Patsy Gregory

Stewardship Liaison with Kane County Forest Preserve District

The newly created position of a Stewardship Liaison is now accepting applications in preparation for a July start date! This position will report to the Volunteer Coordinator and be headquartered at the Natural Resource Management shop in Elburn. All the details and link to apply can be found here - https://www.applitrack.com/kaneforest/onlineapp/jobpostings/view.asp?internaltransferform.Url=&category=Human+Resources