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Soil & Water Quality Technician (22.5 month contract)
Company Information
Name: Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority
Address: 100 Thames St., Chatham, ON N7L 2Y8
City: Chatham Province: Ontario
Contact: Kally Casier
Phone: 519-354-7310 ext 223
Email: careers@ltvca.ca
Description
Purpose of Position:
This contract position will provide an exciting opportunity for a high-energy team player who has a passion for agriculture and environmental monitoring. The successful applicant will support the LTVCA with maintaining critical agricultural soil health and water quality research initiatives. Working alongside watershed farmers and agricultural businesses, the LTVCA has numerous projects underway to assess how agronomic-beneficial management practices (BMPs) are affecting water quality and soil health at the field and watershed scale. The goal of LTVCA agricultural programs is to support the sector in reducing non-point source nutrient loads within the Thames River watershed and to improve the quality of our soil, water, and air.
The Soil & Water Quality Technician will be responsible for conducting a variety of monitoring, data management, data analysis, and stakeholder outreach tasks to support the objectives of ongoing LTVCA agricultural initiatives.
Specific Responsibilities:
• Assist with managing and maintaining the operation of the ONFARM Edge-of-Field research sites and Deary Upstream site in the LTVCA jurisdiction. Activities associated with managing and maintaining these sites are as follows:
? Conduct water sampling at research sites during precipitation and flow events including nutrient, PFAS, and microplastic sampling.
? Process samples for shipment to laboratories for nutrient analysis.
? Assist with soil sampling for structural, biological, chemical analyses and end of season yield estimates
? Install, troubleshoot, repair and maintain monitoring instrumentation as necessary.
• Assemble, manage, and analyze time-series data that is collected from the various monitoring instruments.
? Download all instruments that are operational within the study (environmental time-series datasets for meteorological data, velocity data, flow data, water level data, soil probe data.
? Update local site-specific excel files and WISKI timeseries with water quantity and quality data
? Complete processing data on WISKI, including gap fill, creating rating curves, and ensuring data quality for load calculations
• Analyze land management data and water results to create an annual case study of the ONFARM site results for presenting in ONFARM research Forum and ONFARM Technical Report.
• Communicate with project stakeholders including OSCIA and the University of Waterloo
? Responsible for detailing run-off event occurrence, organizing shipping, and collaborating in water quality analysis
? Provide results and project details to OSCIA for report formation
• Lead the OMAF cover crop and profitability mapping trials at the Devereux Conservation area.
? Organize the planning and planting of 20 acres of cover crop
? Collect soil samples, weather data, soil conditions data, cover crop establishment, and other parameters
? Use GIS spatial maps to demonstrate yield, input cost, and environmental factors across the field to demonstrate the profitability of field areas and recommend fertilizer inputs adjustments
? Create data reports and quarterly summary reports on program outcomes
? Plan an event at Devereux Conservation Area to showcase the cover crop and other BMPs at the site.
? Provide technical and administrative assistance to agricultural producers who are implementing agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) through the program.
• Collaborate with watershed First Nation’s communities to support their agricultural programming objectives.
• Assist with the communication of project results to agriculture and community stakeholders.
• Analysis of water quality results collected from various sites as required.
• Support the Agricultural Program Coordinator and Watershed Monitoring Technician with maintaining the various ongoing LTVCA Phosphorus Reduction Initiatives throughout the watershed.
Qualifications:
• A diploma or degree from a recognized college or university in environmental science/technology, environmental studies, agricultural studies, or a related discipline.
• Experience related to water quality monitoring and sample collection. Experience with automated sampling equipment and data collection techniques will be an asset.
• Experience measuring water quantity and stream flows. Ability to analyze and interpret flow and water quality data.
• Technically capable, with experience installing and maintaining environmental technologies in the field.
• Thorough understanding of soil science, agricultural land management practices, and production operations in Ontario.
• Experience conducting soil sampling and interpreting structural, biological, and chemical results.
• Experience working within the agricultural sector considered an asset.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Effective at managing time and prioritizing tasks.
• Ability to work independently and solve problems.
• G Class Driver’s License (mandatory).
How to Apply
Please send a resume and cover letter by May 3, 2026, noting this position to:
Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority
100 Thames Street
Chatham, ON, N7L 2Y8
Fax: 519-352-3435
Email: careers@ltvca.ca
We thank all applicants for their interest. However, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
LTVCA is an equal opportunity employer in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Code. LTVCA is committed to providing accommodations throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities. If you require disability related accommodations, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs. Personal information provided is collected under the authority of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Hours: 35 hours
Wage: $32.60 / hr
Deadline: May 3,2026
Posted: Apr 17, 2026