Aquatic Monitoring Technician – California

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. Fieldwork will take place in northern California, with crews based in Portland, OR. Work will follow the AIM National Aquatic Monitoring Framework: Field Protocol for Wadeable Lotic Systems (TR 1735-2).

We are recruiting Aquatic Monitoring Technicians to join two-person crews that include a crew lead and a technician. The season will begin with mandatory paid trainings starting mid-April, with fieldwork continuing through August. Crews will work eight consecutive 10-hour days (Wednesday–Wednesday), followed by six days off. The work is entirely field-based and requires camping in remote areas with limited amenities. Crew members should be prepared for extreme heat, long hours in vehicles, wildfire smoke, rugged terrain, and carrying 40–50 lb packs.

INR will provide vehicles, sampling equipment, waders and wading boots, and shared camping gear. Crew members must supply personal items such as a tent, sleeping bag, and hiking boots. Housing between hitches is the responsibility of crew members.

This position offers hands-on experience with a standardized monitoring protocol used across the Western U.S. Crews will work in ecologically diverse landscapes, gaining skills in hydrology, geomorphology, and species identification while contributing to the management and conservation of BLM lands. 

FIELD TECHNICIAN POSITIONS REQUIRE THE FOLLOWING:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Aquatic Ecology, Fisheries, Hydrology, Water Resources, or a related subject. Experience may be substituted for up to two years of education on a one-to-one basis.
• A minimum of one season of field data collection. Several lab courses with extensive fieldwork can satisfy this requirement. However, preference will be given to people who have collected aquatic or hydrologic data in a work setting.
• Experience following established field protocols to conduct sampling and field data collection on new and existing monitoring sites.
• Experience with data entry and management using Microsoft Office (Excel, Access) and/or GIS
• Experience navigating and collecting coordinates with hand-held GPS units or 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 40-50lbs in a backpack over uneven terrain.
• Wilderness First Aid is a plus; CPR and First Aid Certification are preferred.

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. 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 paid training will occur shortly after hiring (mid-April). There may be additional training opportunities as well. In previous seasons crew members have learned a variety of methods such as; electrofishing, freshwater mussel snorkel surveys, and Beaver Dam Analog installation (BDA).

COMPENSATION

• Aquatic Monitoring Field Technicians are paid $19.68 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.