CLOSED – Employment Opportunity – Field GIS Data Collection Summer Intern

Back to Announcements Published on 03/20/2023

The Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District is a special purpose government entity providing municipal water and sewer service to neighborhoods throughout much of the Lake Whatcom Watershed in Whatcom County, Washington. The District is seeking a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Intern for data collection in the field utilizing GPS and asset management applications. This position is a 40 hour per week seasonal position for a term of up to three months.

JOB SUMMARY

Physically find and locate District water and sewer assets in the field using existing GIS base maps and record drawings. Collect the GPS location and perform a condition assessment and inspection on each asset. This is a field position that is expected to work outside in all types of weather conditions. Work is anticipated to be conducting throughout the District’s service area in the Lake Whatcom Watershed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

assists engineering department staff with physically finding assets in the field utilizing existing GIS base maps and record drawings for clues and guidance
labor intensive brushing and clearing vegetation from around assets
collects GPS positions and recording asset condition
assists with mapping and basic data collection for infrastructure inventories
performs basic GIS feature editing
assists office staff with clerical, filing, scanning, and miscellaneous tasks

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

knowledge of principles and practices of GIS computer applications (ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online)
ability to communicate clearly and effectively, verbally and in writing
understanding of basic GIS and other software tools
understanding of civil engineering plans and specifications
ability to work cooperatively as a project team member
ability to take direction from engineering staff and work independently (both in field and office)

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

a student enrolled in a degree program in GIS, geography, planning, civil engineering, or related program
possess a Washington State driver’s license and maintain a driving record acceptable to the District’s insurance carrier

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work will primarily be performed in the field collecting infrastructure location data using a GPS device. Physical effort may be required to lift equipment and system parts, which weigh up to 50 pounds. Fieldwork will involve data collection and reconnaissance in ravines, and other rugged terrain with steep slopes covered by brush, blackberries, and vegetation. Physical hazards may occur from exposure to traffic or rugged terrain. Assets include public water systems as well as public sewer infrastructure. Incumbent will be expected to open and visually inspect sewer manholes from the ground surface.

OTHER DISTRICT REQUIREMENTS

punctual and consistent attendance
dress and grooming appropriate to the position
safety attire, equipment practices appropriate to the position
deal tactfully and courteously with the public
establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees
Per District policy, all employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen. If you are selected for employment by the District, you will be required to provide proof of vaccination. You may request an accommodation if you are unable to meet this requirement due to religious or medical necessity.

SALARY and WORK SCHEDULE

salary will be $25.00 per hour
position is eligible for health/dental/vision insurance
work schedule will be 40 hours per week following a four days per week, 10 hours per day schedule (Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with a half-hour lunch)
up to three unpaid holidays are anticipated during the potential work period (Juneteenth on June 19, Independence Day on July 4, and Labor Day on September 4)
employment schedule is anticipated to be mid-June through mid-September, with some flexibility to accommodate the preferred candidate’s academic schedule

APPLICATION PROCESS

first review of applications will be on Friday, April 14, 2023
submit completed application, cover letter, and resume electronically (Adobe Acrobat format) to jobs@lwwsd.org or in hard copy (paper) to Lake Whatcom Water & Sewer District, 1220 Lakeway Drive, Bellingham, WA 98229

Click here for LWWSD Employment Application

The Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District is an equal opportunity employer. The District employs, retains, promotes, disciplines, and otherwise treats all employees and job applicants strictly on the basis of job-related qualifications and competence. These policies and all employment practices shall be applied without regard to any individual’s sex, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation (including gender identity), pregnancy, age, marital status, military status, disability genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

This job description in no way implies that these are the only duties to be performed. The employee serving in this position will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisors.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the District and the employee and is subject to change as the needs of the District and requirements of the job change.