OVERVIEW

The Institute for Natural Resources (INR) in Portland, OR, an independent research institute, is partnering with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to implement its Aquatic Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) strategy, targeted at collecting standardized data from streams across BLM Districts in the western U.S. INR is hiring multiple positions to conduct this work for the Aquatic AIM Program. Potential candidates looking to assist in this effort with INR and the BLM will work helping assess the health of BLM lands on crews consisting of one crew lead and one field technician based in Portland, OR and working in northern California.

This work will focus on wadeable streams and rivers ranging from a few inches deep to fast-flowing small rivers across northern California, from the coast to the Great Basin on the eastern border. Crews will collect aquatic data following the AIM National Aquatic Monitoring Framework: Field Protocol for Wadeable Lotic Systems (TR 1735-2) to assess the surface water hydrology and geomorphic conditions for the 2026 field season.

While there is some flexibility on where one is based, it is expected that the crew member is within commutable distance to Portland State University. Dates are currently tentative, but in-person trainings are expected to begin mid-April.

As part of an AIM crew, the work is entirely field-based and requires camping in typically isolated areas with few amenities in the surrounding area. During fieldwork, crews work a 10-hour-a-day hitch-based schedule with 8 days (Wed-Wed) on and 6 days off, working in all kinds of weather. Crews must be prepared for conditions such as extreme heat, sun exposure, long hours in the vehicle, nearby wildfires, smoke, driving on rough gravel and 4x4 trails, carrying 40-50lbs packs over steep and uneven terrain, and encounters with wildlife. INR provides crews with camping supplies such as a two-burner stove, propane, table, sampling gear, and other crew essentials. Crew members are responsible for arranging their housing in between hitches and their camping equipment (tent, sleeping pad, cooking essentials).

All positions will have the opportunity to conduct sampling in vast and unique habitats with a history of wildfires, settlers, and indigenous people. Crews will also gain experience learning a protocol implemented across the Western U.S., identifying plant and animal species native and invasive to the location, and monitoring surface water hydrology and its geomorphic features during the fieldwork in remote landscapes. The crew lead role acts as the field supervisor, taking part in hitch planning and preparation, monitoring tasks, as well as gaining experience leading 2/3-person crews, managing their gear, and working with stakeholders within the BLM, INR, and other organizations.

CREW LEAD POSITIONS REQUIRE THE FOLLOWING:

• A Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Aquatic Ecology, Fisheries, Hydrology, Water Resources, or a related subject.  
• A minimum of one full year or two full seasons of fish, macroinvertebrate, hydrology, or water quality field data collection. Postgraduate education can be used to satisfy work requirements.
• Experience supervising technicians, volunteers, or undergraduate students.  Leadership in a volunteer or community organization, or the military, can satisfy this requirement.
• Experience managing gear and equipment for a crew, lab class, team, or other organizational units.
• Experience following established field protocols to conduct sampling and field data collection on new and existing monitoring sites.
• Experience with Microsoft Office (Excel, Access)
• Experience navigating and collecting coordinates with hand-held GPS units and other electronic devices such as Survey123.
• Experience driving and maintaining 4WD trucks, especially in off-road situations. Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record. 
• Demonstrated ability to work productively as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals, and to work independently as required.
• Experience in and willingness to spend multiple days camping in the field where hazards (snakes, bears, deadfall, lightning, poison oak, flash floods, fires, etc.) may be encountered.
• Willingness to work irregular hours in harsh environments and challenging weather, and carry 40-50 pounds in a backpack over uneven terrain.
• CPR and First Aid Certification 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience characterizing aquatic habitats in the field using standardized protocols, including establishing transects and thalweg profiles, identifying bankfull width, stream classification (Rosgen or other), habitat complexity, and/or riparian vegetation.
• Experience with macroinvertebrate collection and water quality sampling, including proper sample handling
• Experiences with Geographic Information Systems, such as ArcGIS Pro and ArcMap
• Wilderness First Aid Certification

EXPECTATIONS

In addition to the above qualifications, we expect crew members to commit to the entire field season, to practice safety awareness, including vehicle safety procedures, to communicate regularly with INR support staff and BLM agency staff, to participate in INR and BLM training, and to contribute to building a healthy and fun work team environment.   Crew Leads will be responsible for brief pre-hitch and post-hitch coordination and quality control meetings with INR AIM support staff. Due to the nature of the work and required driving between sampling areas, work days over 10 hours are possible, with the expectation of a total of 80 hours/hitch as crews strive to complete points assigned for the given hitch.

TRAINING

These positions are ideal for people who are committed to ongoing learning and development. You will receive extensive paid training on the AIM protocols and associated methodology.  You will also have the opportunity to interact with seasoned staff scientists from both the BLM and INR throughout training and fieldwork.  Mandatory 1-week in-person training will occur shortly after hiring (before the start of the regular field season). There may be additional training opportunities as well. In previous seasons crew members have learned a variety of methods such as; electrofishing, freshwater mussel snorkel surveys, and Beaver Dam Analog installation (BDA). 

COMPENSATION

• Aquatic Monitoring Crew Leads are paid $21.42 an hour.
• Receive a total of $555 per diem for food costs for each hitch. 
• Receive up to $175 per diem for camping for each hitch.