City of Albany Department of Water & Water Supply 

2025 SEASONAL Employment Opportunity 

Water Quality Technician $21.00 hourly rate 

The City of Albany Department of Water and Water Supply (AWD) is offering seasonal employment to assist in environmental monitoring and watershed management for the City of Albany’s public water supply system. AWD manages a water supply consisting of two surface water reservoirs, a finished water reservoir, and approximately 6,000 acres of lands and forests. The seasonal Water Quality Technician will assist the Watershed Unit with duties related primarily to water quality monitoring and freshwater ecology, as well as watershed management, wildlife, and forestry. This position is ideal for individuals who enjoy working outside, are interested in expanding their technical skill set, and are looking for hands-on natural resource management experience.  

Potential Assignments: 

• Water quality monitoring of reservoirs and tributaries 
• Routine maintenance and calibration of sampling equipment 
• Macroinvertebrate and zooplankton surveying and identification 
• Cataloging of aquatic plants and animals 
• Harmful algal bloom monitoring 
• Data analysis and reporting 
• Wildlife, vegetation, and invasive species surveys and management 
• Other various activities needed by the department  

Preferred Knowledge and Skills: 

• Interest in natural resource and/or water supply management 
• Experience with scientific data collection and standard operating procedures 
• Microsoft Office Suite 
• ESRI ArcGIS Suite (computer and field use) 
• Comfort with a microscope and in a lab setting 
• Technical writing skills 
• Good reading comprehension skills  

Minimum Qualifications: 

• An associate's or higher-level degree in environmental science, biology, limnology, watershed science, aquatic and fisheries science, civil or environmental engineering, water resource management, natural resource management, or a closely related field; OR
• Completion of at least 18 credit hours in environmental science, biology, limnology, watershed science, aquatic and fisheries science, civil or environmental engineering, water resource management, natural resource management, or a closely related field; OR
• 1 year experience in an environmental-related field; OR
• Combination of any of the three requirements above.
• Possession of a NYS Driver’s License is required at the time of appointment and for the duration of employment.

Additional Requirements: 

• Be fluent in both written and spoken English. 
• Provide proof of legal right to work in the United States.  
• Be able to work full-time (32 - 40 hours/week) during the seasonal employment. 
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs. and to work in adverse weather conditions on water and on land that may be on steep, rocky, and uneven terrain. 
• Able to work independently as well as with a team. 

Additional Information: 

• Participation in the Seasonal Employment does not automatically guarantee full-time employment  
• The City of Albany Department of Water and Water Supply does not provide medical benefits, vacation pay, sick pay or holiday pay as part of the Seasonal Employment program.