Water Resources Technologist

Department:

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Effective Date:

July 21, 2008

Grade:

USG 7/8

35 hr/wk

Reports to:

Civil and Envronmental Chair

General Accountability

The Environmental Engineering Technologist is under the supervision of the Senior Environmental Engineering Technologist and the Chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The technologist is expected to carry out tasks and assignments

Nature and Scope

To carry out the following responsibilities under the direction of the Senior Environmental Engineering Technologist.

Technical Responsibilities:

To assist in the design, assembly and operation of experimental set-ups related to water quality.
To provide technical support in terms of operation, maintenance and troubleshooting for all of the major and minor pieces of equipment in all of the laboratories.
To provide detailed interpretation and analysis of experimental results.
To perform sample analysis on a variety of analytical instrumentation.
To review current technical literature, identify, and select equipment that will satisfy present and future teaching and research needs.

Provide technical expertise to faculty and staff in the design, trials and modifications of undergraduate labs.
Provide input/review in the selection of major equipment purchases.

Instructional and General Responsibilities:

Responsible for executing and preparing equipment/solutions for the various Civil and Environmental Engineering water quality laboratories under the direction of the Senior Environmental Engineering Technologist.
To act as a specialized information resource for all research lab users and undergraduate students.
Provide instruction and technical expertise in undergraduate Water Quality Laboratories with regard to relevant theoretical background, equipment operation and analytical methods.
Provide instruction and technical expertise in the application of QA/QC protocols for specific test methods.
Purchase and maintain stock of consumable and specialty items associated with the operation of the lab setting.

Supervise the waste management procedures for the disposal of hazardous chemical waste generated in the daily lab operation.

Research Responsibilities:

To install, operate and maintain on-site process equipment at field research sites.
To independently manage and maintain continuity of activities at field research sites during transition periods from one graduate student to another.
Provide technical expertise to faculty and graduate students to help achieve their planned research objectives.
To assist in the design/construction of research apparatus for future research activities.

Safety

To ensure that all aspects of teaching and research in the Civil and Environmental Laboratories conform to the University of Waterloo safety standards.
To review interpret and implement new safety procedures within the workplace.
To be responsible for implementing safety procedures and a safe workplace environment at remote workplace locations.

Statistical Data

Number of full time undergraduate students instructed	235-250 p.a.
Number of undergraduate courses	6
Number of full time graduate students supported	60
Number of faculty researchers supported	9
Number of other full time technical staff	6
Number of laboratories managed	10
Laboratory Area	1100 sq. metres (11,000 sq. ft.)
Operating Cost/Budget under direct control	$20,000
Capital Equipment maintained	$3-4 Million

Specific Accountabilities

The Environmental Engineering Technologist will pursue current innovative methods to satisfy present and future needs of the laboratory environment. The technologist will maintain familiarity with new developments in environmental technologies. The technologist is expected to keep current through some form of continuing education while on the job. This will ensure that the university laboratory environment remains current and it is at par with or exceeds comparable industry settings.

The technologist will function as an active resource for all students. The technologist will provide information, instruction and hardware. The technologist will provide advice and support for student objectives. This will ensure the students receive complete uncompromised service.

The technologist will participate in planning, prioritizing and executing research tasks; the technologist provides technical expertise and experience to the researcher to accomplish his/her research tasks.

Working Conditions

The job involves working in both indoor and outdoor environments. The work within the laboratory setting involves reading, writing, and working at computer workstations. Some tasks may be physically challenging requiring reasonable strength and endurance; use of hand tools and power tools, lifting of heavy materials, extended non-regular work hours. The outdoor work involves exposure to the outdoor elements year round; walking, crawling, and wading in possibly insect infested environments. The workplace environment may sometimes be off site at a remote research location where standards and practices may be undefined. The technologist must use best judgement in establishing safe responsible working practices for all of the participants at external workplace environments. There is some occasional use of a personal or UW vehicle.