New position:
Ontario Water Quality Coordinator

Posted on by Kat Kavanagh

This position has been filled!

Water Rangers is looking for an Ontario-based Water Quality Coordinator to supervise water quality monitoring in our growing community in Ontario.

The Ontario Water Quality Coordinator job will focus on growing our efforts in Ontario, where we already have a thriving community that is testing regularly. The ideal candidate would be located near Toronto/Hamilton. Our team is remotely based in Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal. You will work from home, sometimes out of Climate Ventures at the Centre for Social Innovation (CSI), and be out in the community. The Coordinator also contributes to ongoing water quality research in support of community-based water monitoring in the province!

This position supports our growing water testing community and contributes to ongoing research into water quality prediction, analysis, and leveraging big data for sustainable decision-making. You will help ensure quality data is collected, interpreted, and shared. Through engagement with the public, this position helps communities communicate their water issues to decision-makers, backed by science. You will also be working closely and acting as a bridge between our academic and community partners. Because of this work, more people will have the tools and information to make evidence-informed decisions about their local waterbody!

Primary responsibilities

  • Work with the Water Rangers team to advance community-based water monitoring in Ontario.
  • Work with scientists and labs in the region to test new field tests for accuracy.
  • Plan field sampling locations and organize volunteers to conduct water quality sampling with Water Rangers testkits.
  • Conduct training sessions in-person and virtually to ensure community members collect and share high quality water quality data according to protocol.
  • Coordinate equipment (testkit) deliveries and distribution locally.
  • Visit waterbodies to test waterways regularly and establish baseline norms, and also when waterbodies need help.
  • Analyze water quality results and provide interpretations that are understandable to the general public. This includes local quality assurance on water quality data collection, management, and sharing through our data platform.
  • Train youth and teachers to test waterways in Ontario, with curriculum contributions.
  • Contribute to research on water quality modeling and prediction.
  • Celebrate our community through social media, impact reporting, events, etc.

The ideal candidate

The Ontario Water Quality Coordinator should:

  • Hold a degree in a relevant field (science education, sustainability, science communication, environmental science, biology, chemistry or similar)
  • Have demonstrated skills in science education
  • Have excellent communication and writing skills (experience in grant writing is a huge asset!)
  • Be very organized and detail oriented
  • Be comfortable working with the public, personable, and supportive
  • Have knowledge of Google Suite, WordPress, client relationship management systems
  • Have social media experience, with basic photography and video skills
  • Be willing to work occasional weekends and evenings depending on the activities that week (other days off will be given in lieu)
  • Be able to work from home part-time
  • Be based in or near Toronto and able to visit Toronto 2 days a week.
  • Have a valid driver’s license and access to a car is a bonus (mileage will be reimbursed at $0.58/km)
  • Be comfortable working in and around water, following water safety protocols, and like getting wet!

Details

  • Start between March 21 – April 4 2022, end November 30, 2022, with potential to extend
  • 35 hours per week
  • $45,000 + 3 weeks vacation (pro-rated)
  • Some travel will be required. Access to a vehicle is a bonus (and will be compensated at $0.58/km).
  • If you use your own computer and phone, you will also receive $100/month stipend.

To be eligible, you must:

  • be between 15 and 30 years of age at the start of the employment;
  • A recent university graduate;
  • be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the employment;
  • have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations; and
  • Successfully complete the final checks for approval by EcoCanada.

About Water Rangers and our team

Water Rangers is a Canadian not-for-profit social enterprise. We build easy-to-use, affordable tools to crowd-source water quality data. We are a remote team with staff and collaborators across the country. This position is based out of Toronto and so the ideal candidate should be based in the region. Our team works on trust and independence, so as a team member you are expected to:

  • Work well independently. Manage your own schedule based on priorities we set together weekly and report to core team using our project management tools.
  • Attend daily check-ins with remote team to set goals and report on tasks.
  • Be creative and enthusiastic in your development of a dynamic experiences for the public.
  • Take initiative to research methods to achieve your goals. Be willing to ask questions.
  • Pitch in to help others on important projects (e.g. getting ready for events, big orders).
  • If there are organization goals or tasks that take you away from work on your deadlines, to communicate how you plan on managing it.

How to apply

Please include which position you’re applying for in your subject line, and email your resume to contact@waterrangers.ca.

We believe in show, not tell! Please include specific examples that support your skills (e.g. sample curriculum, photos, etc) as well as answers to the following questions:

  • How do you think science education can contribute to societal change?
  • What is your favourite body of water and why?

Apply to this job posting by February 10th. Interviews will be held on a rolling basis, so apply early.

NOTE: Do not call. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

Kathleen Murr teaching MP Mona Fortier how to conduct water tests