Biogas/Biodigestor Internship (UNPAID-STIPEND)

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

AIDG Overview:

The Appropriate Infrastructure Development Group (AIDG) works to provide rural villages in developing countries with affordable and environmentally sound technologies that meet their needs for electricity, sanitation and clean water. Through a combination of business incubation, education, training and outreach, AIDG helps individuals and communities gain access to technology that will improve their lives. Our model provides a novel approach to sustainable development by empowering people with the physical tools and practical knowledge to solve infrastructure problems in their own communities.

AIDG seeks interns to facilitate the growth of the organization and its incubated businesses. Currently, support is needed in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala for different scale biodigestors to help develop AIDG’s new biodigester design.  Biodigesters provide a fuel source that can be used for cooking or heating, a safe fertilizer for agricultural purposes and greatly reduce the potential for sicknesses that occur by having untreated waste left untreated and open to the air.

Presently AIDG-Guatemala has an opening for a Biogas/Biodigestor Intern, as described below. AIDG’s internship program provides food and housing in exchange for qualified volunteers helping to develop needed technology. For further general information on the AIDG Internship program (e.g. program details, expectations, housing provisions, Intern requirements and profiles of current and former interns), refer to AIDG’s website (www.aidg.org).

Biogas/Biodigester Intern Position:

AIDG is currently working on further developing their new floating dome biodigester design.  A number of installations have been completed with a basic technique for installation developed.  However, AIDG would like to continue to improve the process of installation and optimize the design while monitoring the state of existing biodigesters.  AIDG will also be applying this design to much larger scale biodigesters that eventually will be used to provide fuel for running small diesel generators. 

The Biogas/Biodigester Intern will be responsible for optimizing AIDG’s existing design, following up on existing biodigesters, assist in training the local AIDG-incubated business to design, build, install, manage and monitor a mid-scale anaerobic biodigester, and be responsible for collaborating with AIDG-Haiti, AIDG-Guatemala, AIDG-US and any other applicable organizations on biodigester projects. 

The successful applicant would be expected to:

·         Conduct technical appraisals of potential sites to assess suitability and identify design criteria for potential biodigester systems

·         Research the local markets to develop an understanding of materials locally available for biodigestor manufacture

·         Assist the AIDG Guatemala incubated business with designing, testing and building biodigesters for suitable sites

·         Collaborate with other businesses, NGOs and organizations working on this project, and act as a consultant for AIDG Haiti where required

·         Help train AIDG Guatemala personnel in site surveying and assessment, installation, commissioning and biodigester theory

·         Prepare documents that will be used to guide AIDG Guatemala’s Incubated Business in installation and maintenance of biodigesters. 

·         Conduct follow up visits on existing biodigesters, repairing and upgrading the systems as needed. 

·         Based on observations of previously installed biodigesters and of ongoing installations, update the current design in collaboration with AIDG Guatemala staff and previous interns.

·         Apply the existing designs to a larger scale and coordinate with partner university groups to conduct experiments using the gas to power diesel generators.   

Preferred Qualifications:

Applicants interested in this Internship should possess the following skills:

·         Civil/Mechanical/Environmental Engineering or related technical degree, or significant commensurate experience.

·         Working knowledge of biodigestor theory, and experience in the use of sustainable, appropriate technology.  AIDG is looking for someone to advance their biodigester program, this will require a great deal of biodigester knowledge and experience.  Applicants with little or no biodigester experience need not apply.

·         Practical experience in conducting installations of biodigesters in developing countries,  including experience in conducting site evaluations, construction, installation and testing/commissioning.

·         Ability to estimate power output based on waste-to-gas measurements.

·         Proficiency with the Spanish language.

Applicants should have a willingness to get hands-on and dirty, possess a good sense of humor and the ability to work independently.

They should be versatile, mature, flexible, highly motivated and friendly. Prior international experience is desirable, and a minimum commitment of 6 months is required (note that preference is given to applicants that can stay for a longer time period.)

Application Instructions:

Applications for this Internship close on March  16th, 2009. Qualified applicants should send their cover letter and resume to internships@aidg.org.  In your application, please indicate your earliest arrival date and the length of time you are available for the Internship.