Seasonal Stream Habitat Technician

position SUMMARY

Projects implemented within this position will provide multiple benefits to cold-water fisheries and local communities including flood resiliency, improvement of aquatic habitat and water quality, and protection of aquatic health and biodiversity.

The stream habitat technicians will report directly to the Vermont project coordinator and will be responsible for working on a restoration team to conduct instream habitat improvement, streambank stabilization, and aquatic organism passage projects. The primary function of this team is to restore remote streams with woody structures through the implementation of strategic wood additions (SWAs), beaver dam analogs (BDAs), and post assisted logjams (PALs). Habitat restoration will be the bulk of the summer field work, with a few weeks reserved for additional projects such as streams for future wood loading, documenting the success of past projects/installations, etc.

Multiple positions (2-4) will be filled working in conjunction with the project coordinator. Seasonal technicians will support or act as the team sawyers (depending on experience) in safely felling trees. Depending on the structure and design needs, trees may be cut into smaller pieces, moved (with hand tools), pinned with posts utilizing a post pounder, and/or embedded in the bank using a winch setup.

This position is physically demanding and requires hiking (primarily off trail) on steep terrain with 20-50lbs. Hiking may exceed several miles per day. Technicians are expected to be able to lift/shift whole trees or large logs, with the assistance of hand tools and other crew members. We are building in-stream habitat which requires working within the stream channel, on slippery and uneven terrain. Crew members are expected to work under all weather conditions unless deemed unsafe (e.g. severe flooding, hail, or lightning).

Location: The team will be based in Vermont (Brattleboro, VT office) with weekly travel throughout Vermont and New Hampshire. Current restoration projects are expected to take place in East Burke VT, Pittsburg NH, and central Vermont near the Rochester area.

Hours: The team completes a 40-hour work week broken down into 4 days (typically Tuesday – Friday, with Monday acting as a travel day).

Dates: This position generally begins in late June/early July continuing through September with some flexibility for additional work if desired/available. A single technician may have the opportunity to begin late May or early June to assist with monitoring.

 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work collaboratively within a small crew and maintain a positive mental attitude
• Work safely and efficiently in remote areas under rapidly changing weather conditions
• Assist or act as the designated sawyer to safely fell trees
• Lift and orient felled trees with rock bars within the stream channel
• Utilize a post pounder to drive posts that will pin wood in specific configurations within the stream channel
• Maintain field equipment
• Assist with stream habitat assessments and structure monitoring
• Navigate within remote areas while recording field data with collection applications such as ArcGIS Field Maps
• Adapt and remain flexible to changes in work tasks and project sites

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Excellent situational awareness and/or experience working around chainsaws
• Official chainsaw experience, specifically with directional felling
• Familiarity with hand tools (e.g. axes, shovels, rock bars, etc.)
• Ability to hike & carry heavy gear (up to 50lbs) through rough terrain, generally off trail or within the stream channel
• Familiarity with data collection/navigation applications (ESRI Field Maps)
• CPR and First Aid training
• Ability and willingness to travel long distances. Valid driver’s license and own vehicle required
• Knowledge of natural stream design techniques
• Passion for protecting and restoring trout populations and their watersheds

BENEFITS

• Pay will be $15-19/hr based on qualifications
• Mileage reimbursement for travel to and from sites each week
• A work truck is provided for travel to the work site from weekly housing
• Food and housing provided during the work week (Monday-Friday, usually Airbnbs)
• Work boots and all PPE provided
• Potential to receive wilderness first aid training and/or saw certifications