Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Food Systems Innovation Challenge

 Office of Innovation is hosting the third annual Food Systems Innovation Challenge Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., at the Holmes Student Center in the Duke Ellington Ballroom. This challenge is a hackathon-like (non-coding) event open to teams of four to six (4-6) students ages 18 and older who are interested in solving issues focused on food systems sustainability. This year’s theme is logistics, and there will be cash prizes for the top three teams. Students can register as an individual and will be put on a team prior to the event. All majors and skillsets welcome! (In-person, free to attend). 

If you are a faculty or staff member interested in being a mentor or volunteering for the challenge, please reach out to innovation@niu.edu.

 

Wastewater job

 

Laboratory Technician

Public Works · Burlington, Wisconsin

The City of Burlington Department of Public Works is seeking a qualified candidate for the full-time position of Laboratory Technician in the Wastewater Utility. The Laboratory Technician is accountable to the Utility Manager for the operation of the wastewater lab. The work requires considerable initiative and knowledge of lab procedures and techniques applicable to wastewater analysis. Selection will be based on demonstrated skills and knowledge.

 

Starting Salary: $25.63- $27.08 per hour depending on qualifications and experience.

 

Other benefits include:

  • Wisconsin Retirement System Pension
  • Health, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability Insurance
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Sick Leave
  • Casual Day
  • Great job stability and year-round meaningful work

 

A City of Burlington Employment Application form is required to be submitted as part of this position recruitment. Complete the application form and upload it in the as part of the online application. This form may be obtained here:

 

http://burlington-wi.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1005/Application-for-Employment-Fillable-Form

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Performs wet chemistry analysis of wastewater and water samples including test procedures to determine a variety of measurements, such as biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total suspended solids (TSS), pH, toxicity, nitrogen analysis, fecal coliform, volatile solids, conductivity, nitrate, ortho phosphorus, total phosphorus, and other elements, compounds and materials as directed.
  • Prepares analytical reagents and culture media for bacteriological testing.
  • Collects lab/testing samples as needed.
  • Generates reports necessary to ensure compliance with various wastewater permits.
  • Communicates with management and Wastewater Operators to keep them apprised of current laboratory analytical results, wastewater sample observations, and laboratory needs.
  • Communicates with venders, suppliers, consultants, customers, testing agencies and regulatory agencies regarding a variety of laboratory operations.
  • Assists with DNR Laboratory Audits and Surveys and updates quality control documents.
  • Schedules quarterly and annually WPDES Permit required testing with outside testing agencies and arranges for shipping and transport of the samples.
  • Records industrial sampling and other sampling results.
  • Records test results on lab bench sheets.
  • Reviews monthly and quarterly Discharge Monitoring Reports.
  • Collects and preserves lab work sheets and records.
  • Computer data entry.
  • Photocopies and collates documents.
  • Calibrates pH and BOD meters.
  • Performs minor repairs and maintenance to lab equipment.
  •  Maintains knowledge of wastewater testing principles, requirements and standards; and lab equipment calibration principles and practices.
  • Cleans lab; disposes of sludge and wastewater samples.
  • Loads and unloads dishwasher, washes glassware, fills distilled water containers.
  • Monitors inventory levels, anticipates laboratory supply and material needs, and coordinates with the Utility Manager to purchase and place orders of laboratory supplies and materials.
  • Other duties as required and assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

Required at time of hire:

  • High School Diploma/GED

Desired at time of hire:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biology or other life science with prior lab experience, or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities.
  • Possession of Wisconsin DNR Wastewater Operator Certification. Operator In Training Certification is required within 6 months of hire date, Basic Certification is required within 18 months of hire date, and Advanced Certification is required within 5 years of hire date.

 

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Ability to classify, compute and tabulate data and information, following a prescribed plan requiring the exercise of some judgment.
  • Ability to compare, count, differentiate, measure and sort information.
  • Ability to assemble, copy, record and transcribe data and information.
  • Ability to explain, demonstrate and clarify to others within well-established policies, procedures and standards, as well as the ability to follow specific instructions and respond to simple requests from others.
  • Ability to perform process control calculations; ability to work safely, ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other departments and the public; ability to understand and carry out written and oral instructions.


SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Possession of a valid driver's license or the ability to obtain one. 


TOOLS:

Ability to operate a motor vehicle, complex equipment and instruments with some requiring complex and rapid adjustments, such as pH meter, dissolved oxygen meter, vacuum pump, conductivity meter, balance scales, steam table, spectrophotometer, atomic absorption, fume hoods, dishwasher, pipettes, and burettes. Office equipment including: personal computer with word processing, spreadsheet, and database software, copy machine, fax machine, calculator, radio and telephone.


PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations, where possible, may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands; to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand.  The employee is occasionally required to walk; talk or hear; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.

 

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Lifting occurs as a part of normal work and is usually done in conjunction with stooping, bending, or twisting.

 

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations, where possible, may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works indoors and rarely works in outside weather conditions. The employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts and is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The employee is frequently exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals.

 

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

 

SELECTION GUIDELINES:

Formal application, rating of education and experience, oral interview and reference check, physical exam, and a drug screening upon pre-employment.  Job related tests may be required.


The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

 

APPLICATIONS WILL BE REVIEWED AS RECEIVED. POSITION OPEN UNTIL FILLED.

The City of Burlington is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Startup Standup – Hackathon meets Improv

Startup Standup – Hackathon meets Improv  

Startup Standup is a one-of-a-kind event that blends the worlds of improvisation, storytelling, pitching, product development, and comedy to create a unique and engaging experience for participants. The event highlight is the participants' showcase, where the spirit of a hackathon meets the excitement of improv comedy. In this competition-like scenario, participating teams are given random innovation elements to create a realistic product in a fictional world and then pitch it in a fun and entertaining way. 

When: Saturday, October 26, 2024, 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM

Where: 71 North Partnership Studio – NIU Founders Library (lower level) 

Activities:

  • Act like an entrepreneur. Exercises to help you think on your feet, boost your creativity, and enhance your communication skills by Paul Kassel, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, NIU. 
  • The World of Steampunk & Counterfactuals. Learn how the fantasy world of steampunk illustrates the important concepts of counterfactuals, as well as how thinking of counterfactuals helps the design process. A presentation by Dr. Anna Klis, associate professor, Department of Economics, NIU.
  • Uncover Your Product Story, by Dr. Lynn Herrmann, professor, Department of Public Health & Health Education, NIU, and Federico Bassetti, assistant director, Office of Innovation, NIU. 
  • Standup Cup With MC Russ Devereaux, Associate Director, NIU STEAM. Teams present their act to a panel of judges and the audience.

 

There is no cost, the event is free, food and snacks included.

 

Register for the event and invite a friend, it will be fun!

 


 

Urban Studies Talk


 

National Science Foundation funding for students

From research experiences across the world to internships at its headquarters, the U.S. National Science Foundation offers undergraduates, graduate students, and recent Ph.D.s paid opportunities to expand their skills and knowledge in science and engineering.

https://new.nsf.gov/funding/undergraduates

https://new.nsf.gov/funding/graduate-students

 

https://new.nsf.gov/funding/graduate-students#nsf-graduate-research-fellowship-program-grfp-3e5

 

https://www.nsfgrfp.org/


Information available in website

Information available in website