ERG Student Research Assistant (Work-Study)

ERG Student Research Assistant (Work-Study Position)

The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment is seeking a detailed and proficient individual to work alongside staff of the Ecological Research Group in collaborative effort with Dr. Kimberly Meitzen with the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies. The primary role of this position will be assisting on a project funded by the Texas Water Development Board focusing on a synthesis of sediment dynamics across the river basins of Texas in collaboration with the Texas Water Development Board. This endeavor will provide surface water managers with the best available science to make decisions that support healthy ecological environments while minimizing impacts on water resources and reservoir management. 

This position provides opportunities for:

• Aggregating literature sources
• Organizing sediment datasets
• Establishing a geospatial database
• Providing quality assurance and more.

Experience gained from this position will empower the selected candidate with skills necessary to conduct independent research, task management strategies, and organizational workflows that are valued when entering the professional workforce and interacting with various entities. 

Direct Supervisor: Collin Garoutte and Emily Lorkovic

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Creating and reviewing annotated bibliographies
• Retrieving and organizing sediment datasets and geographical files
• Managing citation datasets and formatting
• Aiding in the development of a geodatabase of data derived from literature, geographic information, or a combination of the two
• Establishing meetings and other correspondence

Job Requirements:

• Available to work Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 semesters and roughly 15hrs/week
• Have familiarity with ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online and thorough experience with software such as word, excel, and outlook
• Must be able work independently on assigned tasks while displaying great attention to detail, integrity of work output, and diligence in self-management
• Skilled in effective verbal and written communication
• In progress of, or obtained credit for, the following course: GEO 2426

Preferred Qualifications:

• Texas State students holding status as a junior, or senior
• Intent to stay with the project through completion in Spring of 2026
• Proficient with ESRI software and the Microsoft suite
• In progress of, or obtained credit for, the following courses: GEO 3425, GEO 3426 GEO 4325, GEO3414

Schedule

Applicants must be available during office business hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday – Friday. Occasional work on the weekends may be required.

Location

The physical location of the Meadows Center for Water and the Environment can be found here. Students with a vehicle must have a Texas State parking permit. Students without a vehicle must have a reliable method of getting to work. Students may utilize the Bobcat Shuttle Route 23 - Post Road. The bus stop is located at the main entrance of The Meadows Center. 

Employee Evaluation Process

Student employees are evaluated by their supervisor at the end of each long semester.

Payrate Determination

All student employees begin at the starting pay rate and may increase by $0.50 after each completed semester of employment with a positive evaluation form from their supervisor using the Student Employee Career Readiness Evaluation form.

TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY, to the extent not in conflict with federal or state law, prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, veterans' status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. Texas State University is a member of the Texas State University System. Texas State University is an EOE.