Department of Civil Service

Description:

* Report to DEC Central Office in Albany, NY or agreed upon satellite office for training and office work. Alternate arrangements are possible for days when field sampling is scheduled in regions other than Albany.
* Conduct on-site audits of trained sampling volunteers from the New York Citizens Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP)
* Complete audit checklist and instruct sampling volunteer in proper sampling techniques as appropriate
* Conduct quality assurance sampling at audited CSLAP lakes, using the equipment and boats provided by the trained CSLAP volunteer
* Collect depth profiles using multi-meters provided by SUNY ESF
* Collect additional field information, including documentation of the presence of AIS or HABs, using standardized forms and sampling procedures provided by NYSDEC
* Provide additional training as appropriate to CSLAP volunteers, including the use of the NYS Federation of Lake Associations (NYSFOLA) on-line data entry program and other procedures outlined in the CSLAP sampling protocol
* Summarize any lake observations in a report issued to the Department, including presence of harmful algae blooms and invasive species
* Enter into the NYSFOLA database the field data provided to NYSFOLA by the CSLAP sampling volunteers for lakes with no sampler data entry. Complete a short report (2-4 pages) about their experience that can help guide others in pursuit of a meaningful internship as well as help the Department evaluate its intern program.
* Participate in all aspects of lake monitoring activities (water collection, aquatic plant surveys, bathymetry surveys, onsite sample processing, small boat operations) in multiple drainage basins of New York State as part of the DEC Lake Classification and Inventory (LCI) survey, as time permits.
* Conduct various office tasks including preparation of field sampling equipment, sample labels and other supplies as needed.
* Enter data into the NYSDEC Lakes database and support database updates
* Conduct oneself in a professional manner that reflects positively on SUNY ESF and the Department.

Skills:

MS Office, including MS Excel

Exp. collecting field water samples

Boater Safety Certification

Knowledge of freshwater lake ecosystems

Knowledge or exp. w/ water quality mgmt

Internship Areas: Engineering, Environmental Conservation, Scientific Research