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Student Employment
Student Job Descriptions - Spring 2008

Lab Assistant (1 opening)
Weather Station
Map Library
Seismograph
Department Assistant
Grader

To apply for any of the openings, please email Marge Brewer (mkb25@calvin.edu) with a list of classes taken and grades received, along with any prior department experience.

Lab Assistant

TITLE:  Introductory Geography/Geology Lab Assistant
RESPONSIBLE TO:  Class Instructor and Department Chair
DEPARTMENT:  Geology, Geography & Environmental Studies
DATE:  December 2007

JOB PURPOSE:  Assist the laboratory instructor before, during and after the laboratory; Grade student work as assigned by instructor.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Help to set up laboratory as necessary.
  2. Clean up the laboratory at the end of each laboratory period.
  3. Assist students in the performance of laboratory work primarily by acting as a resource person to answer questions or demonstrate procedures.  Assistant should take a proactive role in this.
  4. Grade lab reports in a timely manner and keep secure records of lab grades.
  5. Know location and operation of safety equipment.
  6. Depending on the nature of the course, be willing to drive departmental vans on field trips and to be certified as an acceptable van driver by Calvin College.

NECESSARY SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND QUALIFICATIONS:

  1. Must be able to communicate effectively with students and laboratory instructor.
  2. Must be able to follow directions given for the performance of the laboratory exercise.
  3. Must model and insist on compliance with safety rules and regulations.  This includes safe driving practices if asked to drive.
  4. Must be able to take appropriate action if a laboratory accident should occur.
  5. Must be a GEO major with an overall Calvin GPA of 2.0 or better.
  6. Must have taken the course with which they are assisting and have earned a B or better.
  7. Preference will be given to majors with additional upper-level courses relevant to the course they will be assisting.
  8. Must be courteous, prompt, dependable, honest, and able to assume the responsibilities given.  Must respect confidentiality issues.
  9. Assistants must commit through the end of the term. 

WAGE LEVEL:  $7.15/hr (with appropriate increase for prior experience in department)

LENGTH OF EMPLOYMENT:  Semester.

SPRING 2008 LAB HOURS:

Geol 312 LA - Thur. 1:30-4:30

NOTE: Prep time prior to the start of lab and clean-up time after lab may also be required.

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Weather Station

TITLE:  Calvin Weather Station Assistant
RESPONSIBLE TO:  Professor Deanna van Dijk and Department Chair
DEPARTMENT:  Geology, Geography & Environmental Studies
DATE:  August 2007

JOB PURPOSE:  Monitor and maintain the Calvin Weather Station.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Monthly site visits.
  2. Monitor online datalogging.
  3. Prepare monthly data reports.
  4. Transfer weather data into Calvin’s website.

NECESSARY SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND QUALIFICATIONS:

  1. Must be able to communicate effectively with weather station supervisor.
  2. Must be able to follow directions given for the maintenance of the weather station.
  3. Must model and insist on compliance with safety rules and regulations.
  4. Must be a GEO major with an overall Calvin GPA of 2.0 or better.
  5. Preference will be given to majors who have taken Geography/IDIS 191 (Introductory Meteorology).
  6. Applicant should have some aptitude for working with computers.
  7. Must be courteous, prompt, dependable, honest, and able to assume the responsibilities given. 

STARTING WAGE:  $7.15/hr (with appropriate increase for prior experience in department)

LENGTH OF EMPLOYMENT:  Academic year.

HOURS: Flexible

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Map Library

TITLE:  Geology & Geography Map Librarian
RESPONSIBLE TO:  Professor Henry Aay, Map Library Supervisor; and Department Manager
DEPARTMENT:  Geology, Geography & Environmental Studies
DATE:  August 2007

JOB PURPOSE:  Maintain the GEO map library; assist in the upgrading of library quality as requested by the map library supervisor.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. File maps that are returned to library.
  2. Accession new maps into the library collections & directory.
  3. Maintain map collections in a useable manner; making suggestions as to space arrangements.
  4. Maintain overall library cleanliness.
  5. Perform inventory as needed.

NECESSARY SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND QUALIFICATIONS:

  1. Must be able to communicate effectively with library supervisor.
  2. Must be able to follow directions given for the maintenance up the library.
  3. Must model and insist on compliance with safety rules and regulations. 
  4. Must have taken an introductory-level course in geography or geology, and have an overall Calvin G.P.A. of 2.0 or better.
  5. Preference will be given to majors in geography or geology.
  6. Must be courteous, prompt, dependable, honest, and able to assume the responsibilities given.

STARTING WAGE LEVEL: $7.15/hr (with appropriate increase for prior experience in department)

LENGTH OF EMPLOYMENT:  Academic year.

HOURS: Flexible

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Seismograph

TITLE:  Seismograph Assistant
RESPONSIBLE TO:  Dr. Gerry Van Kooten and Department Chair
DEPARTMENT:  Geology, Geography & Environmental Studies
DATE:  August 2007

JOB PURPOSE:  Monitor and adjust the seismograph, display earthquake data, visualize
and develop system enhancements as desired

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Monitor seismograph on at least a weekly basis and adjust as needed.
  2. Read and understand the seismograph manual.  Become familiar with displays and data storage.  Be able to store and retrieve data as needed.
  3. Display seismic activity for public viewing along with appropriate descriptive and explanatory information.  Be able to identify the characteristic parts of the seismic signal.
  4. Maintain a neat and tidy seismograph room.
  5. Be able to explain the seismograph operation to visitors.
  6. Keep the supervisor informed of seismic events and occurrences.
  7. The seismograph assistant is encouraged to think creatively about ways to enhance public awareness and contact with the seismic data, and seek ways to enhance and improve Calvin's seismic data station.

NECESSARY SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND QUALIFICATIONS:

  1. Must be interested in earthquakes and seismicity.  Must be interested in working with sensitive motion-detection equipment and real time data collection.
  2. Must be willing to read the manual, decipher the computer storage and retrieval mechanisms, and become the resident expert on the seismograph.
  3. Must be able to work semi-independently.
  4. Must be able to work safely within applicable safety rules and regulations.
  5. Must be able to creatively display seismic data in an informative manner.
  6. Must be willing to keep supervisor informed of progress, ideas, and needs.
  7. Must be a GEO major with an overall Calvin GPA of 2.0 or better.  Course background in physics is desirable.
  8. Must be courteous, prompt, dependable, honest, and able to assume the responsibilities given.
  9. Must be able to commit to a minimum of 1 year at this position. 

STARTING WAGE LEVEL: $7.15/hr (with appropriate increase for prior experience in department)

LENGTH OF EMPLOYMENT:  Academic year

HOURS: Flexible

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Department Assistant

TITLE:  Department Assistant
RESPONSIBLE TO:  Department Manager and Department Chair
DEPARTMENT:  Geology, Geography & Environmental Studies
DATE:  August 2007

JOB PURPOSE: Assist Department Manager

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Lab Management - inventory, mineral curation, general organizing
  2. Event Coordination - publicity,set-up and clean-up for department events such as seminars and other on-campus gatherings
  3. Some office tasks-research/post GEO job opportunities, post/change-out grad school and field camp information, website updating
  4. Other projects as needed

NECESSARY SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND QUALIFICATIONS:

  1. Must be a GEO major or minor.

  2. Must be organized, self-motivated, and able to complete assigned tasks with attention to detail.

  3. Must be able to communicate effectively with the Department Manager.

STARTING WAGE LEVEL: $7.15/hr (with appropriate increase for prior experience in department)

LENGTH OF EMPLOYMENT: Semester

HOURS: Flexible

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Grader

TITLE: Grader
RESPONSIBLE TO:  Class Instructor and Department Chair
DEPARTMENT:  Geology, Geography & Environmental Studies
DATE:  December 2007

JOB PURPOSE: Assist Instructor with evaluations and recording of student work

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

  1. Grading of assignments, quizzes, projects
  2. Accurate record-keeping of student grades
  3. Researching information as requested

NECESSARY SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND QUALIFICATIONS:

  1. Must be a GEO major or minor.

  2. Must be organized, self-motivated, and able to complete assigned tasks with attention to detail.

  3. Must be able to communicate effectively with the instructor

STARTING WAGE LEVEL: $7.15/hr (with appropriate increase for prior experience in department)

LENGTH OF EMPLOYMENT: Semester

 

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