Natural Resources Student Employee

About the Organization

Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) is a not-for-profit, community-owned water utility, overseen by elected officials and citizen appointees from Reno, Sparks and Washoe County. TMWA has a highly skilled workforce who ensure the around-the-clock treatment, delivery and availability of high-quality drinking water for more than 475,000 residents of the Truckee Meadows.

About the Role

The Natural Resources Student Employee works with the TMWA Natural Resources Team performing a variety of hydrology/hydrogeology, Water Rights and Lands related tasks. The Natural Resources Student Employee is expected to work independently and at a professional level for TMWA.

Responsibilities

• Groundwater monitoring, including quarterly water level measurements, bi-annual transducer downloads and maintenance, water quality sampling at production wells and recurring monitoring sites, and management of associated data across databases.
• Surface water monitoring, including stream gaging, associated data collection, and water quality sampling at treatment plants.
• Administrative support for Hydrology/Hydrogeology staff including data management, data QA/QC, and regulatory reporting support (water level submittals, pumping reports, and aquifer storage and recovery reporting to state and federal agencies).
• Administrative support for Lands staff, including quality control check of record scans.
• Administrative support for Water Rights staff, including routine filings and deliveries to state offices.
• General field support including well drilling, well rehabilitation, collecting up-to-date meter reads and info from production wells as well as any special projects.

Requirements

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the minimum requirements is:

• Education & Training: Undergraduate/graduate student majoring in a field related to Natural Resources or Environmental Science. Must maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (provide unofficial transcript)
• Experience: Must be capable and willing to perform field tasks independently and safely; competent using basic tools and equipment; comfortable working outdoors in inclement weather; off‑road driving experience preferred; familiar with Microsoft Office programs; strong Excel skills preferred.

Qualifications

• Demonstrate strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to be taught and to learn complex tasks related to the operation of a public water system.
• Punctual regarding work hours established by TMWA.
• Mentally and physically alert during working hours.
• Must have working-level knowledge of the English language including reading, writing, and speaking English.

Certifications & Licensure

• Must hold a valid driver’s license from the State of Nevada or, for applicants who reside in another state within a commutable distance (including students), a valid driver’s license issued by their state of residence.
• Must also meet and maintain eligibility to be covered under TMWA’s vehicle insurance requirements.
• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation (may be conducted during hire and periodically during employment).
• This position is considered a safety‑sensitive position and employment is contingent upon the results of drug and/or alcohol testing which includes screening for marijuana. The presence of marijuana or other screened‑for substances on any employment‑related substance test may result in a refusal to hire or termination of employment.