Tualatin Riverkeepers or ‘TRK’ (www.tualatinriverkeepers.org) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of the Tualatin River and its watershed, located primarily in Washington County. TRK engages the public in this mission through four programs: recreation, education, advocacy and environmental restoration. TRK is part of a broader global ‘Waterkeeper’ movement (http://waterkeeper.org/) that has a rich history of linking human health, justice and livelihoods to clean water and environmental protection.
Job Description: TRK is seeking a research assistant to help determine interactions between pesticides, human and environmental health in the Tualatin Valley.
Primary Duties:
Research:
- Map existing agricultural and forestry land use areas in the Tualatin watershed with GIS/Cropscape
- Identify which gaps in analyses exist and estimate pesticide use by national agriculture statistics service: nassgeodata.gmu.edu (use cropscape for things like clover, sodgrass, winter wheat, plums, blueberries, alfalfa etc. Research diuron for grasses, Chloropyfiros for people, Atrazine in forestry/ag, neo-nicotinoids)
- Liaise with Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to determine what pesticide sampling (if any) DEQ has done in the Tualatin watershed
- Research other State of Oregon Pesticide Stewardship Programs (Yamhill, Pudding, Clackamas) and determine feasibility of executing one for the Tualatin
- Use GIS analysis to determine important stream sources for DEQ to study adjacent to agricultural and forestry areas of concern.
- Synthesize good stewardship and integrated pest management principles for most popular fruits utilized by largest farms in the Tualatin Valley
- Research agricultural companies who are funders that help determine OSU Extension Services’ research focus
Advocacy:
- Based on above results, ask DEQ and other agencies (USGS) formally for some renewed focus in research. Liaise directly with advocacy and health organizations representing timber/forestry and fruit farm workers (Western Farm Workers, Beyond Toxics, PCUN) to determine any health problems working utilizing pesticides are experiencing
- Research state and federal pesticide exposure incident reports for Oregon
- Liaise with local community activists and government officials in City of Beaverton to help mobilize community support for a neonicotinoid ban.
- Research impacts of pesticides on aquatic life
Apply:
Send cover letter + resume to mike@tualatinriverkeepers.org by July 1st, 2016