Aquatic Monitoring Crew Lead – Fieldwork in CA

OVERVIEW

The Institute for Natural Resources (Portland, OR; https://www.pdx.edu/inr/institute-natural-resources) is partnering with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to implement the Aquatic Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) program, which collects standardized data from streams across BLM lands in the western U.S. Crews will be based in Portland, OR, with work sites across California. Work will follow the AIM National Aquatic Monitoring Framework: Field Protocol for Wadeable Lotic Systems (TR 1735-2).

We are recruiting a Crew Lead to supervise a two person crew. The season begins with mandatory paid training from April 12–21, 2025, followed by fieldwork through early August. Crew Leads are responsible for hitch planning, data collection, gear management, and coordinating with BLM staff and INR supervisors. Fieldwork follows an eight-day (Wed–Wed) hitch schedule, with 10-hour days, followed by six days off.

This is a field-based position requiring extended camping in remote areas with minimal amenities. Crews will work in extreme heat, sun exposure, wildfire smoke, and rugged terrain, often traveling long distances on 4×4 roads. The work is physically demanding, requiring crew members to carry 40–50 lb packs and wade through streams. INR provides vehicles, sampling gear, waterproof boots, and shared field equipment, while crew members must supply personal camping gear. Housing between hitches is the responsibility of crew members.

This position offers hands-on leadership experience in field operations, hydrology, and ecological monitoring while applying a standardized protocol used across the Western U.S. Crew Leads will gain valuable experience managing field logistics, troubleshooting challenges in remote settings, and working with BLM and INR teams to support conservation efforts.

CREW LEAD POSITIONS REQUIRE THE FOLLOWING:

• A Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Aquatic Ecology, Fisheries, Hydrology, Water Resources, or a related subject.
• A minimum of one full year or two full seasons of fish, macroinvertebrate, hydrology, or water quality field data collection. Postgraduate education can be used to satisfy work requirements.
• Experience supervising technicians, volunteers, or undergraduate students.  Leadership in a volunteer or community organization, or the military, can satisfy this requirement.
• Experience managing gear and equipment for a crew, lab class, team, or other organizational units.
• Experience following established field protocols to conduct sampling and field data collection on new and existing monitoring sites.
• Experience with Microsoft Office (Excel, Access)
• Experience navigating and collecting coordinates with hand-held GPS units and other electronic devices such as Survey123.
• Experience driving and maintaining 4WD trucks, especially in off-road situations. Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record. Experience driving UTV/side-by-side vehicles is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work productively as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals, and to work independently as required.
• Experience in and willingness to spend multiple days camping in the field where hazards (snakes, bears, deadfall, lightning, poison oak, flash floods, fires, etc.) may be encountered.
• Willingness to work irregular hours in harsh environments and challenging weather, and carry 40-50 pounds in a backpack over uneven terrain.
• CPR and First Aid Certification

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience characterizing aquatic habitats in the field using standardized protocols, including establishing transects and thalweg profiles, identifying bankfull width, stream classification (Rosgen or other), habitat complexity, and/or riparian vegetation.
• Experience with macroinvertebrate collection and water quality sampling, including proper sample handling
• Experiences with Geographic Information Systems, such as ArcGIS Pro and ArcMap
• Wilderness First Aid Certification

EXPECTATIONS

In addition to the above qualifications, we expect crew members to commit to the entire field season, to practice safety awareness, including vehicle safety procedures, to communicate regularly with INR support staff and BLM agency staff, to participate in INR and BLM training, and to contribute to building a healthy and fun work team environment.   Crew Leads will be responsible for brief pre-hitch and post-hitch coordination and quality control meetings with INR AIM support staff. Due to the nature of the work and required driving between sampling areas, work days over 10 hours are possible, with the expectation of a total of 80 hours/hitch as crews strive to complete points assigned for the given hitch.

TRAINING

These positions are ideal for people who are committed to ongoing learning and development. You will receive extensive paid training on the AIM protocols and associated methodology.  You will also have the opportunity to interact with seasoned staff scientists from both the BLM and INR throughout training and fieldwork.  Mandatory 1-week in-person training will occur shortly after hiring (before the start of the regular field season).  

COMPENSATION

• Aquatic Monitoring Crew Leads are paid $21.42 an hour.
• Receive a total of $555 per diem for food costs for each hitch.
• Receive up to $175 per diem for camping for each hitch.