Engineering Technician - WV Water Research Institute

The WV Water Research Institute at West Virginia University Research Corporation is currently accepting applications for an Engineering Technician.

About the Opportunity

As the Engineering Technician, the incumbent supports engineering efforts at the West Virginia Water Research Institute (WVWRI) for acid mine drainage (AMD) and critical materials (CM) projects. Primary responsibilities include evaluation and design of AMD remediation projects at both the at-source and watershed scales, as well as experimental analysis of CM recovery from waste feedstocks, particularly AMD, at both the bench and operational scales. The role's significance extends to the prosperous realization of various state and federally funded initiatives.

At WVU Research Corporation, we strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU Research Corporation offers a comprehensive benefits package with a variety of options to suit your needs:

• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• Paid Time off (PTO)
• 403(b) retirement savings with a fully vested 3% employee contribution match, (Employees have the option of contributing an additional 1-3% of their earnings to the plan, which is also matched by the WVURC)
• A range of health insurance and other benefits
• Dependent Education Scholarship
• WVU Perks

What You'll Do

• Supports engineering needs for acid mine drainage (AMD) and critical materials (CM) projects. This includes, but is not limited to, permitting, design, and construction of AMD remediation projects, as well as design and execution of CM recovery experiments.
  
• Applies innovative approaches to resolve complex environmental and engineering challenges.
  
• Develops designs for passive and active AMD treatment plants based on a variety of complex factors such as land ownership, hydrology, water quality, and input from project technical teams.
  
• Conducts sites visits and inspections to inform engineering designs.
  
• Assimilates and analyzes water quality data.
  
• Develops engineering designs, plans, and calculations to support permitting, bid, and construction.
  
• Proficiently plots cross sections, interprets topography, computes grade lines and earthwork, drafts typical sections, and formulates drainage solutions.
  
• Calculates material quantities essential for construction projects.
  
• Conducts bench and operational scale experiments of CM recovery from waste feedstocks, particularly AMD.
  
• Supports operation of CM recovery research facilities.
  
• Prepares technical reports for and contributes to peer-reviewed journal publications.
  
• Maintains active collaboration with research teams.
  
• Contributes to proposal development.
  
• Executes tasks in adherence with best management practices and health and safety protocols.

• Bachelor's degree in civil, environmental, or chemical engineering.
• A minimum of one (1) year of experience in the following:
  
  
  
  • Full-time or equivalent part-time paid experience in engineering related to acid mine drainage remediation and/or critical materials.
    
  
  
  
  
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
  All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in civil and/or environmental engineering.
• Passed Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam with current Engineer Intern (EI) Certification with the West Virginia State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers.
  
• Experience working under Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) protocols for strong acids and bases.
  
• Mechanical experience in water treatment plants.
  
• Experience with ArcGIS.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of fundamentals of various types of engineering.
  
• Ability to apply engineering principles to solve engineering problems.
  
• Knowledge of acid mine drainage (AMD) and AMD remediation at both the at-source and watershed scales.
  
• Knowledge of design, permitting, and construction of AMD remediation projects.
  
• Knowledge of critical materials (CM) and processes for their recovery from waste feedstocks, particularly AMD.
  
• Knowledge of laboratory equipment and experimental procedures at bench and operational scales.
  
• Knowledge of AMD treatment plants, including those with CM recovery.
  
• Experience with field work, including water quality sampling and treatment system operation.
  
• Ability to use good judgment to make sound decisions based on site conditions, field, and laboratory data, and knowledge of regulations
  
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
  
• Ability to collect, process, and interpret analytical data.
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team environment.
  
• Demonstrated ability to work independently.
  
• Excellent organizational skills.
  
• Experience with AutoCAD and other relevant design software.
  
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Behavioral Competencies

• Technical skills - Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; pursues training and
  development opportunities; assesses strengths and weaknesses.
  
• Problem-solving - Gathers and analyzes information, identifies problems, develops alternatives; works well in groups, and resolves matters in timely fashion.
  
• Communication - Demonstrates group presentation skills; participates in meetings; listens and gets clarification; is responsive, speaks clearly and persuasively in positive and negative situations; writes and edits clearly and informatively, varies style to meet needs; presents numerical data effectively, and is able to read and interpret written information.
  
• Organizational Support - Aligns work and develops strategies to meet organizational goals; seeks to improve and promote quality; demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; and upholds organizational expectations and values.
  
• Self-Management - Responds to management direction; resourcefully adapts to changes in work environment and circumstances; responds well under pressure and manages competing demands; asks for and offers help when needed; exercises discretion and sound judgment; is tactful and responsible for own actions.

Valid driver's license.

The WVURC was created as a not-for-profit corporation in 1985 to support research (R1) at West Virginia University. We provide evaluation, development, patenting, management, and marketing services for inventions of the faculty, staff and students of the University.

The WVURC receives and administers funds awarded by external agencies for research and other activities and is responsible for helping protect intellectual property through patents, copyrights and licensing agreements for start-up companies based on University research.

West Virginia University Research Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.