Water Resources Technologist

Department:

Civil Engineering

Effective Date:

June, 2008

Grade:

USG 9

35 hr/wk

Reports to:

Department Chair

General Accountability

The Senior Environmental Engineering Technologist is accountable annually to the Department Chair on matters related to the environmental engineering undergraduate teaching laboratories, financial management of a shared consumables account for a diverse research group, and administrative functions required to support teaching laboratories. The Senior Environmental Engineering Technologist is totally responsible for the effective operation of all undergraduate teaching laboratories in the environmental engineering area. The incumbent is responsible for the supervision and training of other Environmental Engineering Technologists.

The technologist is accountable to the Water Laboratories User Group Committee on a monthly basis with regard to the management of facilities, equipment and supplies for a multi-user, multi-disciplined research area consisting of ten laboratories in two buildings. This individual is also called upon from time

Nature and Scope

A significant portion of the position involves the preparation, presentation and instruction of undergraduate students in practical skills in the field of environmental engineering including: water chemistry; wet chemical and instrumental analytical methods; and water and wastewater treatment unit operations. Some of these duties involve scheduled in-class laboratory exercises and occur in all three academic terms in co-op engineering. The technologist provides important input in laboratory curriculum and maintains continuity of instruction while faculty and teaching assistants change from term to term. Duties are performed without supervision and performance is evaluated by the Department Chair on an annual basis.

The technologist is responsible for the laboratory management, as it relates to undergraduate teaching and graduate research activities, in ten laboratories in two buildings including chemical and biological laboratories. This involves the maintenance of supplies and equipment for the teaching activities and an active research group of 9 faculty and 20-25 graduate students, a number of research associates and post-docs. Monthly meetings provide input and the opportunity for discussion of upcoming research activities and direction that the research group wishes to follow, as well as the identification of problems that may develop from time to time.

The technologist is also called upon to lead or assist with research projects when his/her particular skills are required for short periods, or occasionally when other skilled manpower is not available. Also he/she provides expert instruction to graduate students in the use of analytical and other equipment, and in laboratory procedures.

The ten laboratories are divided between two buildings making day-to-day management more challenging and time consuming, therefore requiring a high degree of organization and efficiency.

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.metre.(11,000 sq.ft.)

Operating Cost/Budget under direct control $ 20,000.

Capital Equipment maintained $ 3-4 Million

Specific Accountabilities

Supervision and training of other Environmental Engineering Technologists
Responsible for the establishment of safe laboratory practices for all users, working closely with the Department Safety Co-ordinator
Instruction and preparation of undergraduate laboratories
Management of undergraduate and research laboratories
Provide expert instruction to graduate students in use of equipment and laboratory procedures.
Provides input in laboratory curriculum for undergraduate courses and continuity.
Seeks funding for undergraduate equipment outside the department, and encourages collaboration with other departments for shared equipment purchases and operation.
Controls the choice, source, and the consumable items purchased for research activities.
Maintains a broad range of analytical, and water and wastewater treatment equipment.
Undertakes other duties as assigned by the department chair.

Working Conditions

The work is varied. It involves both a physical component in the preparation and instruction of undergraduate laboratories (indoors and outdoors), and research work as well as some time performing managerial tasks and the use of computers, writing instructions, and reading materials required for laboratory management. Some heavy lifting is involved as well as walking on uneven terrain, wading in streams and rivers and exposure to domestic and industrial wastewater, insects, plants, sun, heat, cold, snow and rain. Work is sometimes conducted off-site on private or public property where other work practices and standards exist. Use of a personal vehicle is expected for short trips and errands primarily within the city, but less frequently to research sites some distance from the campus.