"Water Quality Specialist"

Job Details

Posting Number: 2025715

Posting/Functional Title: Water Quality Specialist

University Pay Plan Title: Grant Specialist

Location: San Marcos

Department: Meadows Ctr for Water & the Environment

Recruitment Type: Open Recruiting

Job Type: Full-Time

Funding Source: Grant

Monthly Salary: $3,876.77 - $5,000

Job Category: Exempt

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Water Resources, or a related field.
• 2+ years of experience in water quality monitoring, environmental research, or similar.
• Knowledge of water sampling protocols, QAPPs, and SWQM standards.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English, including the ability to clearly explain technical information to diverse audiences and interact professionally via phone, email, and in person—including with individuals who have limited social skills.
• Experience conducting research to gather accurate protocol, data, or policy information.
• Willingness to travel (up to 20%) and work outdoors in variable conditions during normal work hours and weekends as necessary.
• Must be able to obtain a driver’s license within 30 days

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in watershed management, environmental outreach, SWQM or community-based monitoring.
• Experience training and mentoring volunteers or students.

Job Description:

The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment (The Meadows Center) is an official university-level research center at Texas State University. The Meadows Center is committed to inspiring research, innovation, and leadership that ensures clean, abundant water for the environment and all humanity. We envision a world where all people understand and embrace the value of water and environmental stewardship. We fulfill our mission by integrating activities across four pillars of action: research, leadership, education, and stewardship. Our work in each of these pillars begins at Spring Lake – one of the largest artesian springs in the world – and ripples outward across Texas and beyond.

The Meadows Center is hiring a Water Quality Specialist to provide support for the Department of Watershed Studies. The purpose of this position is to provide support for the Watershed Services programs, primarily water quality monitoring programs, including Texas Stream Team, the Clean Coast Texas initiative, and the Clean Rivers Program. Additional programs supported by this position may include watershed protection plan field work, groundwater/surface water interaction studies, and mapping. Research activities for these programs include equipment maintenance, supply management, quality assurance, data collection, analysis, and reporting. Education and outreach activities for these programs include leading trainings, field audit sessions, and assistance with stakeholder engagement, workshop planning, and reporting.

Job Duties:

• Lead and coordinate water quality monitoring activities for various research and watershed programs.
• Train and support community scientists, students, and staff in water quality monitoring procedures for various programs.
• Maintain monitoring and laboratory equipment, including equipment calibration, inventory/records, and safety compliance.
• Develop and maintain training and monitoring materials, manuals, and quality control protocols.
• Ensure compliance with Quality Assurance Project Plans and Surface Water Quality Monitoring standards.
• Assist in data collection, analysis, and reporting for research and grant projects.
• Support project coordination and reporting, including submission of deliverables and audit documentation.
• Engage stakeholders through meetings, workshops, outreach events, written communications, and the development of outreach materials such as newsletters and responses to public inquiries.
• Travel up to 20% for fieldwork, training, and outreach activities.

Additional Information to Applicants:

Applicants must upload a cover letter, resume, transcripts (unofficial will be accepted), and a list of references to their application. Failure to include these documents will disqualify the applicant. Applicant must be able to obtain a Texas Driver’s License within 30 days of employment. This job will require some travel and occasional work on weekends.

Job Open Date: 08/28/2025

Job Close Date: 09/12/2025

Open Until Filled: No

Normal Work Days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

Normal Work Hours Start: 8:00AM

Normal Work Hours End: 5:00PM

Posting Notices: Applicant must have a valid Texas Driver's License and be a driver in good standing with less than ten (10) points deducted for driving infractions as determined by the employer driving standards system.