This is how Kavin Smith, the latest Bermudian to be taken on at the Bermuda Biological Station for Research (BBSR) at Ferry Reach laughingly refers to his new job as Field Technician.

Visiting a total of five sites every day to collect samples and data for the BBSR Air Quality Programme, will indeed keep this top athlete very active. "I had thought of running from site to site,'' he jokes, but admits that, in fact, he will be driving a new mobile unit, recently acquired from the Environment Ministry.

Last week Mr. Smith joined fellow Bermudians, environmental scientist Dr. Kent Simmons and laboratory technician, Miss Corrinda Belboda, in their task of monitoring -- and ultimately reporting -- on the quality of air before and after the controversial mass-burn incinerator comes on line.

With a Bachelors degree in chemistry from the University of Rhode Island and a Masters in earth sciences/oceanography from the University of New Hampshire, Dr. Simmons has co-ordinated the air quality and ash studies programme from inception. He began his BBSR career while he was still a student in 1981, through the Bermuda Programme.

Miss Belboda, who attended Warwick Academy and obtained her Bachelor of Science from Clark Atlanta University, joined BBSR in 1991.

Some four years ago, test sites were set up at St. David's ("the clean site''), East Broadway, Belco, Palmetto Road and Prospect. The latter is the principal site, with a semi-mobile laboratory, together with equipment to the tune of $75,000 which is on extended loan from Belco.

"We have spent these last four years collecting data on rain, pollutants, gases and suspended particles,'' explains Dr. Simmons, who heads up the Government-funded programme. "If there are any changes occurring in the quality of the air after the incinerator opens, we will know about it.

"We've collected samples from just about every rainfall since July '89, so we have a really good idea of the average precipitation and how it varies through the seasons. By knowing the average concentrations now of acidity and so on, we should be able to tell if that acidity changes in any way.'' Emphasising that pollution control devices have been provided in the incinerator, Dr. Simmons adds: "However, you can't just assume that everything will be kept inside, so as a method of monitoring we have to be out there measuring any changes.'' He says he is confident that the information assessed by him will be passed on to the general public. "It's our job to provide the technical information to the Ministry of the Environment. It would be up to them to act on anything that needed to be acted upon, and it would be our hope, and assumption, that they would do this.'' Another major project just begun by Dr. Simmons and his team, directly linked to the projected incinerator system, is a study of the chemistry of the Island's tank water -- which may, potentially, be affected when the incinerator is up and running. For this reason, it was felt that further assistance, in the shape of Mr. Smith, was essential.

"We will also be testing soils, vegetables and other produce, which means we will be collecting a lot more samples than when we began this programme in 1987,'' explains Dr. Simmons. "Kavin will also be maintaining the five field sites, calibrating the various instruments, and looking after the physical plants.'' Mr. Smith, who in the last couple of years has won virtually every local road race and set a slew of new records, likes the idea of working in an environment that will be "more challenging''.

One of the drawbacks of discovering an early talent for running, he says, was that he tended to neglect his academic studies. "My teachers used to say they wished I had as much energy for my books as for my running, but I couldn't see that at the time!'' After attending Southampton Glebe School, Warwick Academy and Warwick Secondary Schools, Mr. Smith did win a scholarship to the University of Georgia.

Bad luck dogged him, however. After an injury he was told he would not be able to run any more that year. "But after a bit, it seemed to heal itself, and since then I've floated through different jobs. Most of them have been physical, rather than mental, and I feel I haven't been using my brain enough.'' After only a week at BBSR, he feels "involved'', enjoying an atmosphere where he can "learn a lot. This is the sort of job that has a purpose to it. I can put 100 percent effort in, like I do with my running.'' This combination, of being out of doors and physically active, yet being an essential part of a scientific programme, appeals to him. Already, he is wondering aloud about eventually going off to get a degree.

"I'm already learning new things about working at a job that has a strong technical aspect. I'm also learning a lot about the Island, going all over the place to monitor vegetables. At the moment, it's cabbages and cauliflowers! "I have to apply myself, taking a part in and keeping abreast of what's going on down here at BBSR. As you get older, you look for more responsibility, and I'm very lucky to have been given this chance.'' Referring to his spectacular running career, it turns out that Mr. Smith has strong views on how athletics -- and athletes -- can have a positive effect on the overall community, especially its young people.

"I think Charles Barkley was wrong, saying that he didn't feel he had to be a role model. I think we all have a responsibility. Just the other day, I went to Northlands School to talk to the kids. They were all crowding round me, and they wrote me these little letters afterwards. I like to try and help the youth -- and I wish Government would use me more in that respect. I was able to tell those kids how, because of my running, I had been able to travel and meet people from all over the world.'' Mr. Smith, whose wife Karla also works at BBSR, began his long run to success when he was only nine years old, almost by accident, when he started running round after people on a golf course, in a bet to win a bag of chips.

Then Martin Allen at Southampton Glebe entered him in the schools' cross country -- and he has been running ever since.

"I've been lucky. I had people who were prepared to help me. But I don't think people are as involved now as they once were.

"Clive Longe, the national coach, used to go round the high schools, encouraging everyone to go and train. Since he died, it hasn't been the same for young people.'' CHECKING OUR ENVIRONMENT -- Mr. Kavin Smith (left) and Dr. Kent Simmons check rain samples from the Biological Station environmental protection programme at Prospect. The smoke stack of the Tynes Bay incinerator, due to come on line later this year, is seen in the background.

LEADER OF THE PACK -- Athlete Kavin Smith in a familiar position during this year's international half-marathon.