Sierra Restoration & Monitoring Field Technician

Trout Unlimited is hiring several self-motivated, hardworking, and highly capable people to work as restoration and monitoring field technicians in the California Inland Trout Program. Each person will participate in low-tech process-based restoration construction (e.g. beaver dam analogs) and project effectiveness monitoring for native trout habitat restoration and connectivity projects across the Sierra Nevada, primarily in montane meadow systems. These positions are 100% field-based, require frequent travel, and camping in distant and remote back country locations.  Field technicians will have a geographical focus on the southern Sierra (with a focus on the Kern Plateau) but may travel for work in other parts of the Sierra Nevada as needed. Technicians will work closely with our construction contractors, science team, and other field staff on a variety of headwater stream, meadow, and associated habitat restoration monitoring projects. Field work includes but is not limited to building instream restoration features utilizing hand tools, hiking and camping in remote locations for eight-day field tours, and project effectiveness monitoring. Each person will be based out of Bishop, California, and will report to the Sierra Restoration Project Manager. 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Act as a core team member in low-tech process-based restoration construction and project effectiveness monitoring.
• Participate in a pre-defined work schedule of eight 10-hr days on and six days off for the duration of the position, approximately June through September/October (end date dependent on weather and availability).
• Navigate, camp, and work in remote backcountry setting with hike-in access only and wilderness area designation restrictions.
• Accurately assess and record biological and geomorphic survey data based on pre-established protocols.
• Conduct data entry and QAQC utilizing tablets and standard mapping and data entry software.
• Properly store and maintain field equipment and tools.
• Drive to and from field sites and trailheads in a large, 4wd truck on rough roads.
• Hike up to 10-15 miles carrying 40-50 pounds of gear.

This is not an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities.

Qualifications

Required

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in environmental science, fisheries, natural resource management or similar, or equivalent related professional experience
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in field work in either monitoring or hand-based restoration implementation, such as trail maintenance, fire, forest health, or other stream or vegetation management/enhancement.
• Willingness and ability to travel 100% of the time and work remotely for multiple days at a time, including in backcountry sites at or above 7,000’ elevation accessed exclusively via trail with all necessary personal items and select group gear carried in a self-contained backpack.
• Ability to perform strenuous manual labor, such as tree cutting, hauling, digging, and pounding, for up to 8-10 hours per day in all weather.
• Positive outlook and ability to work and live as part of a team, particularly in challenging work-site conditions, during long days and inclement weather is essential.
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to communicate effectively, critically assess tasks, and organize tasks efficiently.
• Valid driver’s license and own vehicle required (field vehicle will be supplied, but must be able to travel to hub location)

Preferred

• Wilderness first aid and CPR training
• Knowledge and familiarity with field data and mapping software, particularly in the ESRI suite.
• Knowledge of and familiarity with process-based restoration principles and design.
• Experience and comfort driving large field vehicles on rough roads (Forest Service dirt roads and Jeep roads)
• Experience with hand tools such as handsaws saws, axes, chainsaws, etc.
• Understanding of California and Nevada wild and native trout, watershed science and restoration, and Sierra Nevada ecology.

Staff and leadership at TU understand that life outside of work is important to personal health, and we strive to create a healthy and balanced atmosphere. This is a full-time temporary position running from June – September/October (weather- dependent).