Living Machine Operator
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Please see Special Instructions for more details.
You must be an enrolled student at Oberlin College & Conservatory to qualify.
A complete application will be comprised of:
Review of applications will begin on March 26th.
Questions about the position may be addressed to ben.hobbsoberlin.edu
Posting Details
Announcement Information
Job Summary
The Environmental Studies Program will be hiring two Living Machine Operators, one of whom must be able to work DURING THE SUMMER OF 2026. We are seeking applicants with experience in lab sciences, demonstrated ability to work independently, and a strong work ethic. The student operators will share the responsibilities of caring for the Living Machine as well as the building and grounds of the Adam Joseph Lewis Center (AJLC) and will have principal responsibilities related to:
Responsibilities
With respect to water quality monitoring, the students will help maintain the Living Machine through regularly scheduled water quality testing as well as assisting in the maintenance of the automated real-time water quality monitoring technology for Plum Creek and effluent from the Citys Wastewater Treatment plant. A staff member or members will make bi-weekly visits to the plant to calibrate and verify the function of automated sensors that collect and display water quality data.
Together with other staff, collect weekly samples from several regular sampling points along the Plum Creek and will conduct water quality analyses and assist in the development of a rating curve. Inside the Living Machine, staff collect and conduct weekly operations assessments of the health of the system, sample water for more sophisticated testing in the lab, and manage and maintain the vegetation in the tanks of the system.
Lastly, those staff who are additionally hired to work during the summer will be responsible for garden duties including watering, weeding, pruning, harvesting, and delivery of foodstuffs to Oberlin Community Services, as well as all the responsibilities listed above. Additionally, staff will mow and edge according to a schedule and, in general, aid in a continued effort to keep the AJLC looking good.
Operators are also expected to participate in our Living Machine Open Hours at least three times per semester. Open Hours are held every Friday from 12:30-3:30 at the Living Machine Mini-Lab and allow interested students to drop in and ask questions or get more information about what we do.
Qualifications
We will be hiring two operators total to start in the Spring of 2026, however, one new student operator must be able to continue on through the Summer of 2026. Summer work is a full 40-hour week for approximately 8 weeks.
The Ideal Candidate will:
Quick Link for Postinghttps://jobs.oberlin.edu/postings/17300
Compensation
New Student Operators will be paid $13.00/hr upon hiring.
Special Instructions to Applicants
You must be an enrolled student at Oberlin College & Conservatory to qualify.
A complete application will be comprised of:
Review of applications will begin on March 26th.
Questions about the position may be addressed to ben.hobbsoberlin.edu
Documents Needed to Apply
Required Documents
Optional Documents
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk.