Summer Field Technician

position: Field Technician

Year/Term: Spring and Summer 2026

Area of Study: Aquatic Invasive Species Surveys and Research

Position Overview:

The Center for Lakes and Reservoirs at Portland State University is hiring field technicians this summer to survey lakes and reservoirs in the Pacific Northwest for the early detection of aquatic invasive mussels (particularly Dreissena spp.), snails, crayfish, and invasive plants. This position will include field surveys at lakes and rivers, specimen collection, specimen ID training, lab analysis (involving the handling of hazardous chemicals), and field work involving veliger and eDNA sampling for invasive mussels, and water chemistry sampling. There will be lots of time spent both driving a truck with a trailer, and piloting a boat at waterbodies. This position is excellent for gaining experience in field sampling, lab analysis, and research in aquatic systems.

Position Details:

The position will be based out of Portland but will entail multiple 6 day sampling trips to waterbodies in Washington and Oregon, organized across weekends (Thursday to Tuesday). This will require the field technicians to be away from Portland for extended periods of time, typically every other week to every third week. Some weeks may be spent locally, either performing lab work, maintenance, or local sampling, which would act as a typical 5-day week. Technicians will not work more than 80 hours over two weeks, taking time off mid week until the next week, if sample trips are required over a weekend. Surveys may be conducted as far out as SE Oregon, so expect a lot of time driving or in the passenger seat. Most work hours during remote trip weeks will be devoted to these sampling trips, with the remainder focused on preparing for or concluding trips. All sampling, local or Oregon-wide, will be performed in teams of two (typical) or more. Field technicians will be required to work and camp outdoors in a variety of conditions (hot, cold, dirty, sometimes smoky, and potentially strenuous conditions) and with varying amenities (for example, while bathrooms are typical, they may not always be available). Field technicians will need to supply their own camping equipment, though equipment can be rented from PSU, and borrowed from CLR when available. Food, gas, and other work expenses accrued while in the field will be reimbursed. Food purchased for trips before departure will also be reimbursed. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Valid driver’s license
• A degree in biological or physical science (or enrollment in a college-level degree program)
• Ability to follow dichotomous keys
• Attention to detail and note taking during meetings and in the field
• Basic computer skills (word processing, simple spreadsheets, navigation apps…)
• Comfortable around water and dirty conditions (in a boat, wading in shallow water, walking over uneven terrain near water, working on a dock over water, reaching into standing water from a dock or boat, mud, periods of time without access to running water…)
• Ability to solve unforeseen problems in areas with little/no cell or wifi coverage
• Ability to get along with crew members during extended time in the field

Preferred Qualifications (not required but will be helpful for this position):

• Experience conducting field surveys
• Experience using GPS and navigation programs
• Field data collection and management using Survey123 or similar program
• Practice and experience hauling trailers and backing them up
• Practice and experience operating small boats with combustion engines
• Familiarity identifying aquatic plants
• Familiarity with freshwater invertebrate identification
• Experience working in remote settings

Employment details:

The hourly wage will start at $21.27 / hr, plus a small per diem for days spent in the field away from the greater Portland area. The target start date is April 16, 2026 but the start date can be flexible up until June 15 and we will consider applications until all positions are filled by June 15. The positions will run through mid- October. Review of applications and interviews will begin March 16, and will continue until all positions are filled. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you might have about the positions. 

Check out the Center for Lakes and Reservoirs website for more information about us