The Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District is a special purpose government entity providing municipal water and sewer service to neighborhoods throughout much of the Lake Whatcom Watershed in Whatcom County, Washington. The District is seeking a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Engineering Intern for data collection, records management and population of asset data within the District’s asset management software. This position is a 40 hour per week seasonal position for a term of up to three months.
JOB SUMMARY
Assist with various aspects of development of the District’s GIS system and asset management program and the Engineering Department records management. Work environment will include both an office setting and field environments. Tasks include reviewing and organizing records, updating the District’s asset management software with asset attributes, verifying the accuracy of existing asset data, and physically finding and locating District water and sewer assets in the field using existing GIS base maps and record drawings. This position includes field work and the successful candidate is expected to work outside in all types of weather conditions. In addition, the position includes field verification of District assets, which may include work in close proximity to raw sewage. Work is anticipated to be conducted in the District administrative office and throughout the District’s service area in the Lake Whatcom Watershed.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assists engineering department staff with physically finding assets in the field utilizing existing GIS base maps and record drawings
- Reviews available record drawings and operation and maintenance manuals and field verification to verify and update asset attributes in Cartegraph, the District’s GIS-based asset management software
- Reviews existing engineering department records and works with the District Engineer and Executive Assistant to develop an asset-based file structure
- Assists with the District’s transition to the Laserfische file management system
- Performs basic GIS feature editing
- Assists office staff with clerical, filing, scanning, and miscellaneous tasks
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Knowledge of principles and practices of GIS computer applications (ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online)
- Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, verbally and in writing
- Understanding of basic GIS and other software tools
- Understanding of civil engineering plans and specifications
- Ability to work cooperatively as a project team member
- Ability to take direction from engineering staff and work independently (both in field and office)
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Must be a student enrolled in a degree program in GIS, civil engineering, geography, planning, or related program
- Must possess a Washington State driver’s license and maintain a driving record acceptable to the District’s insurance carrier
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work will be performed both in the District administrative office and in the field collecting infrastructure location data using a GPS device and verifying asset attributes. Physical effort may be required to lift equipment and system parts, which weigh up to 50 pounds. Fieldwork will involve data collection and reconnaissance in ravines, and other rugged terrain with steep slopes covered by brush, blackberries, and vegetation. Physical hazards may occur from exposure to traffic or rugged terrain. Assets include public water systems as well as public sewer infrastructure. Incumbent will be expected to visually inspect sewer and water assets such as pumps, valves, manholes, pipes, flow meters, etc. Entrance into confined spaces will not be required.
OTHER DISTRICT REQUIREMENTS
- Punctual and consistent attendance
- Dress and grooming appropriate to the position
- Safety attire, equipment practices appropriate to the position
- Deal tactfully and courteously with the public
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees
SALARY and WORK SCHEDULE
- Salary will be $25.00 per hour
- Position is eligible for health/dental/vision insurance
- Work schedule will be 40 hours per week following a four days per week, 10 hours per day schedule (Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with a half-hour lunch)
- Up to three unpaid holidays are anticipated during the potential work period (Juneteenth on June 19, Independence Day on July 4, and Labor Day on September 4)
- Employment schedule is anticipated to be mid-June through mid-September, with some flexibility to accommodate the preferred candidate’s academic schedule
APPLICATION PROCESS
- First review of applications will be on Friday, April 14, 2025
- Application form: LWWSD Employment Application
- Submit completed application, cover letter, and resume to Lake Whatcom Water & Sewer District, 1220 Lakeway Drive, Bellingham, WA 98229 or PDF sent by email
The Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District is an equal opportunity employer. The District employs, retains, promotes, disciplines, and otherwise treats all employees and job applicants strictly on the basis of job-related qualifications and competence. These policies and all employment practices shall be applied without regard to any individual’s sex, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation (including gender identity), pregnancy, age, marital status, military status, disability genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
This job description in no way implies that these are the only duties to be performed. The employee serving in this position will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisors.
This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the District and the employee and is subject to change as the needs of the District and requirements of the job change.