Introduction: In cooperation with the National Park Service’s Lake Mead National Recreation Area (NRA), the Great Basin Institute is recruiting a Research Associate (RA) to serve as Engineering Associate. The Associate will support infrastructure projects at Lake Mead NRA and will come to understand the mission of the National Parks Service (NPS) and the role that engineers play in maintaining NPS infrastructure.
Description: The Engineering Associate will work with National Park Service engineers and scientists on ongoing design, research and or testing, and will be matched with the most appropriate mentor and project depending on interest areas and education. The RA will support Lake Mead in addressing its deferred maintenance backlog. Project areas include: • Development and rehabilitation of water supply, treatment, and distribution systems, wastewater collection and treatment systems, and roads and trails. • Research to improve infrastructure durability, or • Research on water quality, water resources planning, environmental or ecosystems issues. The Engineering RA will have weekly meetings with their mentor to discuss topics associated with progress and professional development. The RA will be an active participant in the NPS’s planning process, and will gain great insight in to agency policy and decision-making processes. Location: Lake Mead National Recreation Area encompasses nearly 1.5 million acres in southeastern Nevada and northwestern Arizona, including mountains, canyons, valleys, and two vast lakes. From the mouth of the Grand Canyon, the park follows the Arizona-Nevada border along 140 miles of the Colorado River. Opportunities for recreation abound. The main office the Research Associate will work from is closest to Boulder City, Nevada. Boulder City is a 20 minute drive from the city of Henderson, which lies on the outskirts of Las Vegas, Nevada. Compensation & Timeline: o 18-week appointment to begin in December 2018, or upon availability and completion of a DOI Background Investigation o Rate of Pay will be commensurate with academic standing, experience and range between $15.95/hour (undergraduate program and experience) and $21.50/hour (graduate program and experience) o Health and Dental Benefits; paid holidays and personal leave Qualifications: o Enrolled in or graduate of an undergraduate or graduate program in engineering or related physical science field; o Ability to work both within a team setting, but also independently; o Mature, responsible and adaptable with a demonstrable willingness to learn; o Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing; o Self-motivated with ability to maintain a positive attitude; and o Possess a valid, clean, state-issued driver’s license. o Successful applicant will need to complete a Department of Interior (DOI) Background Investigation (BI) prior to starting internship. Applicants that already possess a fully adjudicated BI should clearly state that in their cover letter. How to Apply: Qualified and interested applicants should upload a cover letter, résumé, and list of three professional references by visiting the position announcement on GBI’s employment page: http://crcareers.thegreatbasininstitute.org/careers/Careers.aspx?rf=PD&REQ=2018-ACI-047
