Hydrology Technician (Mendocino National Forest)

GREAT BASIN INSTITUTE • Willows, CA

10d • $21 - $21 • Onsite

About The Position

The Great Basin Institute (GBI), in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service, is recruiting Hydrology Technicians to support the planning and implementation of fuels reduction projects, as well as efforts in reforestation and recreation. Hydrology Technicians will perform field surveys, collect data, conduct project layout, and provide technical assistance to Forest Hydrologists to ensure that the program achieves its goals of protecting water quality and its associated beneficial uses. This work provides opportunities to gain hands-on experience in resource management, including participation in land management planning and implementation, application of hydrologic evaluation techniques and procedures used to identify management opportunities, development of management prescriptions aimed at protecting or enhancing water resources, and the completion of standard administrative procedures associated with project documentation and reporting. A Temporary Special Assignment (TSA) employee is hired for a specific, temporary assignment external to the Institute’s administrative operations with one of GBI’s partners. TSA assignments may be for less than or greater than 52 weeks, and employees may work full-time, defined as 30 or more hours per week, or part-time, defined as less than 30 hours per week. Essential Job Functions may include the following: Conduct water resource inventories and map features such as streams, springs, meadows, and riparian habitats. Protect sensitive hydrologic areas by flagging them in the field. Perform road surveys to identify sediment sources affecting water quality. Evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of the Best Management Practices (BMP) Program on several projects ranging from trails to vegetation management. Conduct in-channel monitoring using modified Stream Condition Inventory (SCI) protocols. Collect SCI metrics: riffle particle size (pebble count), pool tail fines, large woody debris, bank angle, shore depth, macroinvertebrate composition, shade, width-to-depth ratios, and cross-section surveys. Camp overnight in remote locations as needed. Collaborate with USFS and GBI staff for environmental compliance. Assist with equipment setup, data quality assurance, and report preparation. LOCATION Mendocino National Forest, Supervisor’s Office, Willows, CA The North Coast Ranges of California are a section of the Pacific Coast Ranges of western North America, which run parallel to the Pacific Coast from north of San Francisco Bay to the South Fork Mountains of northern Humboldt County. The Klamath-Siskiyou Ranges lie to the north, and the Southern Coast Ranges continue south of San Francisco Bay. The North Coast Ranges run north-south parallel to the coast, and include the King Range of Humboldt County, where the coastal mountains meet the sea dramatically on what is called California#39;s Lost Coast. Component ranges within the North Coast Ranges include the Mendocino Range and the Mayacamas, Sonoma, and Vaca Mountains and the Marin Hills of the North Bay. WORK SCHEDULE Hydrology positions for the Mendocino National Forest projects will begin in May and continue into October, with surveys and assessment work conducted throughout the season. Hydrology Crew Technician positions follow a 10-hour day, 4-day-per-week schedule Temporary Special Assignment (TSA) employees are eligible to receive holiday pay if approved by the project partner. TSA holiday schedules will comply with the project partner’s schedule unless otherwise specified in the employment offer. TSAs working five 8-hour days per week will be paid 8 hours for all holidays, and TSAs working four 10-hour days per week will be paid 10 hours for all holidays. Other approved workweek configurations may also be accommodated with banked holiday hours

Requirements

• Experience in conducting some form of hydrologic surveys.
• Conducting Stream Condition Inventory (SCI), basic stream longitudinal profile, and cross-sections profile.
• Experience conducting road surveys identifying sediment sources and/or water quality issues.
• Experience doing layout of fuels reduction, logging, and restoration projects.
• Experience and/or ability to work in steep terrain in a hot landscape with minimal shade.
• Physical ability for fieldwork in remote areas.
• Experience working in the forest on 4WD roads and ability to drive for several hours at a time.
• Possess a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license with the ability to safely operate and maintain a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads
• Ability to understand, implement and adhere to established data collection, inventory, assessment, and monitoring protocols.
• Willingness to work a variable schedule in response to project needs, including some weekends
• Skills in GPS navigation and map reading
• Effective communication skills for coordination with multidisciplinary teams

Responsibilities

• Conduct water resource inventories and map features such as streams, springs, meadows, and riparian habitats.
• Protect sensitive hydrologic areas by flagging them in the field.
• Perform road surveys to identify sediment sources affecting water quality.
• Evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of the Best Management Practices (BMP) Program on several projects ranging from trails to vegetation management.
• Conduct in-channel monitoring using modified Stream Condition Inventory (SCI) protocols.
• Collect SCI metrics: riffle particle size (pebble count), pool tail fines, large woody debris, bank angle, shore depth, macroinvertebrate composition, shade, width-to-depth ratios, and cross-section surveys.
• Camp overnight in remote locations as needed.
• Collaborate with USFS and GBI staff for environmental compliance.
• Assist with equipment setup, data quality assurance, and report preparation.

Benefits

• Wage: $21/hour with overtime at 1.5x hourly rate.
• Full time, average 40 hours per week.
• Shared housing provided.
• In addition to a competitive base salary, this full-time, onsite position includes company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance, as well as $25,000 Life/AD&D policy.
• Voluntary short-term and long-term disability policies are available, and voluntary Life/AD&D policies for family members.
• Mental health support resources are employer provided, competitive PTO accrual, and paid holidays.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed