The Research Associate Program at GBI, in cooperation with USFS Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (South Lake Tahoe, CA) is recruiting two (2) Aquatic Inventory and Monitoring Crew Leads to perform aquatic habitat surveys in the Lake Tahoe Basin. 

Aquatic Inventory and Monitoring Technicians will perform a wide variety of activities to support all phases of the Basinwide Resource Inventory and Evaluation project. Technicians will support the USFS project which aims to evaluate the extent of non-native aquatic species occupancy in watersheds in the Lake Tahoe basin. These positions provide an opportunity to gain hands-on, career-building experience in fishery sampling methods, aquatic habitat survey techniques, and data collection. These positions will require field work in the Upper Truckee River and Ward Creek watersheds in the Lake Tahoe basin. Technicians may also support other Aquatic Program projects on the LTBMU.

Duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Electrofishing, seine netting, and/or minnow trapping to survey for fish;
• Snorkeling to survey for freshwater mussels and aquatic plants;
• Stream habitat surveys following a standard protocol;
• Collecting data using paper and/or digital software;
• Monitoring stream temperature using data loggers and associated software; and
• Camping and working in a remote setting for up to 8 days.

All activities will be performed in compliance with federal and state permit requirements.

Timeline:

• Starting June 1; 22-week appointment;
• Full time (40 hours/week); and
• Crews may work a 4/10s, 5/8s, or combination schedule. Early mornings may be required. Intermittent backcountry camping is possible on an 8 on/6 off schedule. Gear and equipment for backcountry camping will be provided.

Location:

The position(s) are located out of the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Supervisor’s Office in South Lake Tahoe, CA. South Lake Tahoe is a vibrant town on the southern shore of Lake Tahoe, known for its  beautiful scenery, diverse outdoor activities, and bustling tourism scene. It offers a mix of natural beauty with mountains and lake views, and developed amenities like resorts, restaurants, and attractions. 

Compensation and Benefits:

Compensation: $26.80 hourly;

Benefits: 

• Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance premiums;
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost;
• Personal leave and holidays; and
• Access to Pro Deals.

Per Diem: Camping per diem provided per night in the field.

Uniform Stipend: $250.00.

Housing: May be provided to participants.

Qualifications:

Required:

• 2 years of education in environmental science, biology, ecology, hydrology, natural resource management or related field;
• 6 months of experience leading or supervising field personnel for survey or restoration work;
• Capacity to collect and maintain field data in an organized manner that is easily understood and accessible to other staff;
• Ability to swim and work confidently in and around deep and flowing water;
• Ability to navigate and collect data using handheld GPS units;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a diverse audience;
• Ability to live and work with a small group in a backcountry camp for 8-day hitches;
• Physically fit to work outdoors, carry up to 50 pounds of personal and/or field equipment, and withstand the rigors of working in aquatic environments in the Tahoe Basin during all seasons; and
• Possess a valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record.

Preferred:

• Ability to understand, implement and adhere to established data collection, inventory, assessment and monitoring protocols;
• Familiarity with electrofishing techniques and safety;
• Experience handling, weighing, and measuring sensitive fish species;
• Experience using seine nets, minnow traps, and other fishery survey techniques;
• Familiarity with ArcGIS Pro, Survey123, and Field Maps; and
• Experience with Smith-Root backpack electrofishers, Hach turbidimeters, Onset HOBO temperature loggers, and GeoTech peristaltic pumps.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands, stand, walk, bend, and have specific vision abilities to include close and distance vision, and ability to adjust focus working with computers, business equipment, and other job/industry specific equipment.