The School of Public Health division of Environmental Health Sciences Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) is seeking applications for a full-time (40 hours a week) Associate Engineer (8352P2 Research Professional 2). 

Starting pay is dependent upon the selected candidate’s relevant qualifications, experience and internal equity.

Work Arrangements: Hybrid with staff spending at least 3 days on site or visiting clients; Core business hours are 8:00am to 4:30pm; M-F; Office location is McNamara Alumni Center 200 Oak St. SE, Minneapolis, MN. This position requires traveling independently throughout the State of Minnesota on a regular basis (mileage will be reimbursed)

The School of Public Health (SPH) is committed to antiracism and anti-oppression and welcomes you to join us in our pursuit of building equity and driving justice. We particularly encourage applications from those who belong to groups that have been historically underrepresented in our School, including those who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color, those with disabilities, veterans, and those from LGBTQIA+ communities. 

Please note: At this time, the University’s employment site is limited in how it collects applicant demographic information. Applicants are encouraged to provide their preferred name and/or pronouns within their attached application materials.

General Purpose & Objective 

The Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) is an outreach and assistance program at the University of Minnesota that helps Minnesota businesses develop and implement industry tailored solutions that prevent pollution at the source, maximize efficient use of resources, and reduce energy use and cost. This position reports to an Engineer and provides engineering technical assistance and support focused on eliminating the cause of pollution or excess resource use at the source.  The position will initially focus on joining the Wastewater Energy Efficiency Cohort Training Program project team to assist with outreach, training, and reporting tasks.  

Several important responsibilities of this position include:

• Provide technical assistance for pollution prevention, water conservation and energy efficiency 
• Serve as a technical resource for businesses while developing expertise in target industry sectors 
• Conduct site visits and coordinate MnTAP interns to deliver technical assistance
• Supervise student intern and manage collaborative partner research projects
• Review and update business resources to promote industrial conservation opportunities
• Conduct technical training and give technical presentations in areas of expertise

Essential Functions 

Provide Technical Assistance (pollution prevention, water conservation and energy efficiency) (60%) 

• Partner on grant funded efficiency and/or sustainability projects. 
• Partner on wastewater treatment energy efficiency training cohort project. 
• Provide complete, accurate and easily understood information about source reduction, energy and water conservation to facilities through trainings, phone calls/emails, site visits and intern projects 
• Generate specific recommendations for operational and environmental improvements for clients with supporting engineering and cost justification summarized in site specific reports using established program protocols
• Maintain working knowledge of relevant technologies and regulations as well as internal/external programs and their activities 
• Maintain and update technical resources for the MnTAP website  
• Implement targeting campaigns to engage facilities and promote MnTAP’s services with focus on the wastewater treatment sector.
• Collaborate with industry partners on intern projects to assist clients in meeting their goals
• Mentor students and supervise student research projects in areas of expertise

Track Projects and FollowâUp with Clients (20%)
 

• Support client efforts to implement recommended operational changes through timely follow up actions, additional assistance activities and connection to additional available resources
• Measure and document environmental and cost savings impacts from technical recommendations from assistance activities and implemented results
• Use client database to input information, document activities and results, monitor client relationships and document follow-up to determine service effectiveness

Develop and Maintain Internal and External Contacts and Coordination (20%)

• Coordinate with MPCA and other project partners to identify opportunities to collaborate, promote and expand MnTAP services and program offerings
• Engage with relevant trade and professional or business association(s) to share MnTAP information with other members and support business sectors through targeted projects
• Provide internal support for initiatives including developing web based resources, collaborating on projects and connecting resources to improve overall program effectiveness
• Participate and contribute to MnTAP team meetings, all-staff meetings and committee and/or workgroups for information sharing, idea generation and team building

All required qualifications must be documented on application materials

Required Qualifications 

• BA/BS with at least 2 years of experience or a combination of related education and work experience to equal 6 years 
• Experience with typical engineering calculations (mass balance, energy consumption, basic process economic analysis)
• Demonstrated skills in oral and written communication
• Comfortable with client outreach activities including calls and meetings
• Demonstrated analytical and problem solving abilities
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Ability to manage multiple priorities
• Ability to travel independently throughout the State of Minnesota on a regular basis 

Preferred Qualifications

• BS degree in an engineering discipline
• Work experience in a professional capacity 
• Understand the concepts of process mapping and pollution prevention 
• Understand challenges faced by environmental justice communities
• Demonstrated project management skills
• Familiarity or experience with Lean tools
• Background and experience in wastewater treatment efficiency
• Interest in developing and refining training programs to improve wastewater operations

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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