Water Quality Specialist - Intern
This position is responsible for implementing the County’s Lake Protection and Monitoring Grant Program. Duties will include providing training for Clean Boats Clean Waters (CBCW) volunteers, Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) monitoring in the county’s lakes, stakeholder outreach, and education on local water quality in the County.
This is a new program with grant funding for 1 year beginning January 1, 2021. This limited term position will expire on December 31, 2021. Subsequent grant renewals are not guaranteed. The position is funded for 1,020 hours and is envisioned to be full time, 40 hours per week May through September and part time, 10-20 hours per week September through December.
This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
Collaborate with stakeholders and state partners to disseminate information to residents, lake property owners, and other stakeholders through news articles, email alerts, and information on the county website.
Update County website to reflect new information. Communicate to interested parties/stakeholders via email.
Collect and report chemical, biological, or physical data on lakes and lake ecosystems, including data on water levels and lake ice extent and duration as requested by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). Identify lake districts and associations collecting this information and provide training on data entry into the state Surface Water Integrated Monitoring System (SWIMS) database. Recruit new districts and associations to collect this data.
Coordinate checks on WDNR AIS signage at lake/river public access sites within county. Inventory signs at boat launches and coordinate with local lake groups where signage is lacking.
Coordinate early detection monitoring for AIS. Update information on a previous "meander" survey on County lakes. Connect individuals with information and resources when new species are found.
Coordinate the CBCW watercraft inspection program in county. Become trained as a trainer for the CBCW program and conduct volunteer training for volunteers working for local lakes.
Provide AIS outreach and education to local partners and AIS stakeholders.
Provide technical assistance to a grantee or grant applicant for AIS prevention and control.
Recruit new Secchi Disk monitors and train them on data entry into SWIMS.
Attend trainings and webinars to stay up to date on statewide information and provide local workshops to disseminate information to stakeholders (5-10 local workshops per year). May be “virtual” or remote.
Demonstrate a commitment to county safety and risk management efforts.