MountainTrue is seeking 1-2 volunteers to coordinate and administer our Volunteer Water Information Network (VWIN) program in coordination with MountainTrue’s staff Water Quality Administrator.
The VWIN program consists of 35 sites throughout Henderson County that are sampled monthly to measure pollutants such as sediment and nutrients. Sampling is done by a team of volunteers, each assigned their own site, on the third Saturday of every month. Samples are dropped off at one of two refrigerated holding locations on the Saturday sampling occurs.
On the following Monday, preferably Monday morning, samples are picked up and brought to the lab at EQI in Asheville. The VWIN coordinator oversees the process of gathering and delivering samples, and the position could be split between two people so they’d only need to do this every other month.
MountainTrue VWIN Coordinator/Co-Coordinator Responsibilities:
- Deliver and stack empty sampling bottles/ boxes at designated site in Hendersonville monthly.
- Gather all collected samples from their holding (refrigerated) locations following the sample time (usually a Monday morning) and take them to the lab at EQI in Asheville for testing; also pick them up from lab and return to Hendersonville. Takes approximately 2.5-3 hours.
- Assist Water Quality Administrator with maintaining all sampling supplies and replacing them if broken or lost.
- Coordinate with volunteers to remind them of determined sampling date.
- Assist Water Quality Administrator with training new volunteers on sampling procedures and assign to new places.
- Possibly substitute for water sampling when other volunteers are unable to sample their sites.
VWIN Coordinator/Co-Coordinator Requirements:
- Must be dependable and committed–we ask that you make at least a 6 month initial commitment.
- Ability to work independently and be flexible.
- Previous experience with water sampling and/or MountainTrue’s VWIN program a plus but not required, we will train qualified candidates and they will be supported by the Water Quality Administrator.
To apply please send a resume’ with references and a cover letter by March 31 to Evan Parker, Water Quality Administrator at wqa@mountaintrue.org.
Want to get involved with MountainTrue’s water quality programs but the VWIN coordinator position isn’t right for you? We’d love to have you! Let Evan know you want to get involved and he’ll let you know of other opportunities.