Research Fellow - Safe Drinking Water Facilitator
Research Fellow - Safe Drinking Water Facilitator
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1 Vacancy
Job Description
About UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst the Commonwealths flagship campus is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1450acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College Hampshire College Mount Holyoke College and Smith College) which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.
Job Description
The Research FellowSafe Drinking Water Facilitator will provide technical and training support in the four Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) regions and the Boston office for the development and implementation of Drinking Water Programs in particular the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions Lead and Copper Rule Improvements and Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Rule.
- Technical support to one identified MassDEP regional office (or Boston office).
- Review public water system (PWS) Service Line Inventory and Lead Service Line Replacement Plans.
- Assist PWS with: identifying service lines of unknown material and implementing Lead Service Line Replacement Plans;preparing applications for financial assistance including State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan applications and federal and/or state grants;with permit completion and submission.
- Assist MassDEP in the development of technical guidance procedures and programs in preparation for future changes to PFAS regulations.
- Perform quality assurance and quality control reviews and assessments of laboratory reports to assist MassDEP in making compliance determinations.
- Assist with implementing public outreach and education efforts to engage PWS in activities to comply with MassDEP requirements.
- Review water quality results and discuss drinking water remediation options with PWS.
- Provide data and support for research on safe drinking water in Massachusetts including lead service line inventory and replacement planning PFAS sanitary surveys cybersecurity and/or support for small and disadvantaged community water systems.
- Work with students and faculty on related research projects.
- Assist in the development of training materials for PWS operator continuing education.
- Prepare reports for and participate in periodic meetings/calls with UMass and MassDEP staff to discuss Program implementation and progress in achieving MassDEP goals.
- Respond to phone and email inquiries about the various technical assistance programs.
- Work with University faculty and other personnel consultants and grant sponsors to coordinate research and outreach projects.
- Travel: 40 weekly travel to MassDEP offices (office locations: MassDEP 100 Cambridge St. Suite 900 Boston MA 02114; MassDEP Southeast Regional Office 20 Riverside Drive Lakeville MA 02347; MassDEP Central Regional Office Worcester 8 New Bond Street Worcester MA 01606; MassDEP Western Regional Office Springfield 436 Dwight Street Springfield MA 01103; or MassDEP Northeast Regional Office 150 Presidential Way Woburn MA 01801; 20 travel to PWS in Massachusetts.; Travel to water systems or relevant meetings as appropriate.
- Operate a motor vehicle to travel to work sites.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
Requirements
Bachelors degree or an Associates Degree plus two years of qualifying experience or high school degree/GED/HiSet plus four years of qualifying experience. Degree may be in environmental science biology chemistry earth science environmental health meteorology natural science toxicology or public health or a closely related field.
Knowledge of state and federal environmental regulations including Safe Drinking Water Act programs and public drinking water systems is required.
Specific and substantial subject matter expertise in lead in drinking water PFAS and/or a domain area of support for water systems (e.g. sanitary surveys cybersecurity water quality data funding applications).
Excellent communication and organizational skills and be able to work effectively with facilities staff the Project Manager and Program Director and other Technical Assistance Providers working on this Program.
Ability to exercise considerable tact and diplomacy in personal interactions.
Basic computer and communication/people skills are required.
Ability to travel to sites as appropriate and to operate a motor vehicle to travel to work sites.Basic knowledge of drinking water systems.
Massachusetts Drivers License (Class D) required at hire.
Water operator license desired.
Additional Information
Fully Remote with up to 60 travel within Massachusetts.
Supervision is received from University of Massachusetts Amherst Drinking Water Assistance Program faculty and staff with additional support from MassDEP regional offices Drinking Water Program Section Chief or designee (Boston Springfield Worcester Lakeville and Woburn).
Up to 5 positions available contingent on funding. Initial appointment for 1 year with renewal based on performance and funding.
Positions are open until filled with a priority application deadline of October 31 2024.
Application Instructions
Applicants should apply online and provide a cover letter CV and the names and contact information for three professional references.
UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race color religion caste creed sex age marital status national origin disability political belief or affiliation pregnancy and pregnancyrelated condition(s) veteran status sexual orientation gender identity and expression genetic information natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment admission to and participation in academic programs activities and services and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities women persons with disabilities and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes rules and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.
Employment Type
Grant
