Individual Placement - Fisheries and Hydrology Crew Lead

Student Conservation Association • Fort Collins, CO

31d • Onsite

About The Position

Placement will be in lead role of organizing and directing daily operations of
3-person crew completing surveys for both hydrology/watershed and fisheries data
resources. Surveys will assess road condition, watershed health, wetland
identification, stream habitat metrics, stream discharge, stream flow patterns,
backpack electrofishing, fish population estimates, fish identification,
macroinvertebrate sampling, and topographic surveys of streams. Lead role will
coordinate daily with supervisors in both hydrology and fisheries resource
staff. Crew will work in remote areas often hiking off trail and in waterbodies
in challenging weather conditions and at elevation. Work will support mission of
Unites States Forest Service "to sustain the health diversity, and productivity
of the Nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future
generations".

Requirements

• Completed degree in either Watershed Science, Hydrology, Fisheries Biology and Management, or similar related coursework; and one year of graduate-level education in a similar field; OR One year of technical experience equivalent to the GS-6 level, OR A combination of technical work experience and education that provide equivalent knowledge or training as above.
• Ability to conduct strenuous field work and carry heavy loads over rugged terrain
• Must be able to drive 4x4 trucks on forest roads, work in burned areas, and carry out duties in steep and rugged terrain and wilderness areas
• Must be able to work with other people on a crew and under the direction of USFS staff
• Must be able to camp overnight in backcountry settings
• This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in wading streams.
• Experience with electrofishing equipment and technique.
• Hydrology and watershed science equipment and techniques.
• GIS experience is desired but not required.

Responsibilities

• Performs individually and as crew leader, fisheries and hydrologic technician work in support of resource professionals engaged in land management planning and design of projects in both watershed and fisheries resources.
• Candidate participates in the development of resource project plans, schedule and organizes efforts, and uses standard tools and procedures for data collection
• Install and maintain equipment
• Assists in sampling design
• Coordinates efforts with other technicians and professionals
• Meets with others to plan and coordinate work efforts, discuss technical requirements, and present study findings
• Measures aquatic habitat quantity and quality, measures and records discharge volumes, and gathers data for analysis
• Makes recommendations on projects to professionals
• Assists in development of reports to supervisors and other authorities
• Confers with other agencies for exchange of data and planning.

Benefits

• Living Allowance – $750/week
• One-time Travel Allowance – $1,500
• Housing Allowance - $400/month
• Federal Holiday Off (if required to work, an alternative day will be scheduled off)
• Bear Safety
• Defensive Driving Training
• First Aid/CPR
• Off-Road Vehicle Safety

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level