Water Quality Program Assistant -- Hawaii Only

WAI Water Quality Program AssistantDescriptionWAI: Wastewater Alternatives & Innovations is a nonprofit based in Honolulu, HI with a mission to protect water quality, reduce sewage pollution and restore healthy watersheds by addressing the state’s 83,000 cesspools. Wastewater pollution is one of the most important factors that reduces the resilience of Hawaii’s coral reefs in the face of climate change, and WAI is seeking a part-time Water Quality Program Assistant to support our growing water quality program. The water quality program assistant will work directly with WAI’s Water Quality Specialist and primary responsibilities will be to support water quality projects, including community-based water quality monitoring programs, our new waterborne-illness reporting tool “SeaSick,”and database management for Hawaii water quality studies. Additionally, the program assistant will contribute to grant deliverables for a collaborative sustainable wastewater technology development project, and assist WAI with events such as Town Hall meetings, workshops, and our annual convening. Projects and assignments may include:Scientific and technical report writingCreate summary reports in collaboration with the Water Quality Specialist on the following: Miloli’i Water Quality Monitoring Program, Anini Water Quality Monitoring Program, workshops hosted by WAI on best practices in water quality methods and monitoringWater quality database updatesSearch literature for new wastewater pollution studies in HawaiiAdding new studies to existing literature database (annotated bibliography and GIS maps)ArcGIS Online - GIS MappingUpdate and edit ArcGIS Online maps and StoryMaps of wastewater pollution studiesCreate new ArcGIS Online maps - example: locations and information about wastewater treatment plants, cesspools, and septic systems throughout Hawaii Community-based Water Quality Monitoring program supportAssist WAI’s Water Quality Specialist in designing and implementing community-based water testing programsCollaborate with local community organizations, state agencies, and research groups to interpret and create outreach materials about water quality resultsManage the new “SeaSick” program, in which ocean users can report instances of infections or illness after swimming in coastal watersCreate outreach campaign to encourage community members to submit waterborne illness/infection reports, including social media and in person strategiesCreate map to show locations of illness reports on the WAI websiteWork as part of a team to plan and run WAI events such as Town Halls, collaborative workshops, and the annual conveningRequirementsBachelor’s degree in relevant field (i.e. environmental science, marine biology, biology, natural resources management, etc). Strong writing skillsData management, analysis and visualization skillsFamiliarity with scientific literature reviewFamiliarity with ArcGIS online and GIS mappingAble to work remotelyAvailable for occasional travel within Hawaii for fieldwork or meetingsPreferred qualificationsExperience in social media and outreach/marketing, including design tools such as CanvaUnderstanding of water pollution issues in HawaiiInterest in novel wastewater technologies and engineering-based sustainable solutionsCompensation: $23-25/hour, 15-18 hours per week