Aquatic Monitoring Crew Leads, Technicians, and Riparian Botanists  

O’Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West 

The University of Montana (UM) O’Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West (OCRMW) is partnering with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to implement their Aquatic Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) strategy. This protocol is targeted at collecting standardized inventory and long-term hydrologic and biological data at multiple scales across BLM Districts in the Western U.S.  

We are currently recruiting Crew Leads, Technicians and Riparian Botanist Technicians with experience in fisheries, hydrology, ecology, and/or botany for data collection in Montana, Idaho and Regional Western US from June through September.  

Data collection will follow the AIM National Aquatic Monitoring Framework, specifically: 1) site evaluation, 2) water quality, 3) physical habitat and canopy cover, 4) macroinvertebrates, 5) photos, and 6) human influences. We will also implement vegetation assessment elements of the Multiple Indicator Monitoring (MIM) protocol. The field crew will consist of a Crew Lead, Technician, and Riparian Botanist Technician.  All crews will be supported by Crew Managers and other professional OCRMW staff. We ask seasonal staff to commit to the entire field season, practice safety awareness, and contribute to building a healthy, productive, and enjoyable work environment. 

All positions are field-based and require primitive camping. Sampling sites may sometimes be near a town, but often the towns will have few amenities or entertainment, and crew members should plan to bring all their food with them each hitch. Expect that cell phone service from any carrier is poor to non-existent in many areas. Applicants should also understand that this is physically demanding work. Crews typically work eight consecutive 10-hour days, followed by a 6-day break, in all kinds of weather, and frequently must navigate sketchy roads or carry awkward and heavy equipment across uneven terrain to access a site. The wadeable streams sampled range from a few inches deep to fast-flowing small rivers that require good balance and a willingness to be waist or chest deep in water.  

UM supplies all necessary monitoring equipment, including vehicles, to carry out the work. We provide some group camping gear (stoves, coolers); however, individuals are responsible for their personal camping gear (tents, sleeping bags). We can lend camping gear on a case-by-case basis.  

Position Details 

• Position is full time, temporary (< 6 months). 
• Compensation is based on qualifications and experience. 
• Monitoring Technicians earn $19-20 an hour 
• Crew Leads earn $22-24 an hour 
• Riparian Botanist Technicians earn $21-23 an hour 
• All positions include (tax-free): 
• $352.80 meal per diem per 8-day hitch (tax free). 
• Waders and boots (kept by employee on completion of the season, a ~$300 value) 
• Field/camping equipment (kept by employee upon completion of field season, ~$300 value) 
• Benefits include Worker’s Compensation coverage, paid holidays, and accrual of sick leave (sick leave). 

Projects 

State Projects: Crews that will be hired for our state specific projects will be working closely with local BLM field offices in those states to collect data. This application is for our Montana and Idaho projects as well as Regional Western US project.  

Regional Western Project: Crews that are hired for the regional project will be working closely with the National Operation Center for the BLM collecting data throughout the western United States (OR, ID, CA, and WA, among others). 

Base Locations 

Crews will be based out of a BLM field office to be determined in Spring 2026 based on where data will be collected. Below are the anticipated locations of the base cities and timeline of work. All start dates are dependent on BLM trainings.  

MISSOULA: Crews will be based out of Missoula for both our Idaho project and Montana project. Work will begin in early June with the BLM training and continue until all points are completed, which is estimated to be September. Crews will consist of one Lead, one Technician, and one Riparian Botanist Technician.  

BOISE: Crews will be working out of Boise, ID on our Regional Western US project and our Idaho project. Work will begin in early June with the BLM training and continue until all points are completed, which is estimated to be late September. The crew will consist of one Lead and one Technician.  

Basic Qualifications 

We encourage individuals with relevant skills and a strong desire to learn to apply for these positions, even if you do not fully meet all listed qualifications. These positions are an excellent opportunity to develop skills, and significant training is provided. 

Aquatic Monitoring Field Crew Lead  

• A Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Aquatic Ecology, Fisheries, Hydrology, Water Resources or related subject. 
• A minimum of one full year or two full seasons of fish, macroinvertebrate, hydrology, or water quality field data collection. A completed M.S. degree with field work can satisfy this requirement.  
• Experience characterizing aquatic habitats in the field using standardized protocols, including establishing transects and thalweg profiles, determinations of bankfull width, stream classification (Rosgen or other), habitat complexity, and riparian vegetation. 
• Experience with macroinvertebrate collection and water quality sampling. 
• Experience supervising technicians, volunteers or undergraduate students. Leadership in a volunteer or community organization, or in the military, can satisfy this requirement. 
• Experience managing gear and equipment for a crew, lab class, team, or other organizational unit.   
• Experience driving and maintaining 4WD trucks and other vehicles, especially on rough and unmaintained roads. 

Aquatic Monitoring Field Technician   

• At least three years of undergraduate education with course work in Aquatic Ecology, Fisheries, Hydrology, Water Resources or related subject.  
• A minimum of one season of field data collection. Several lab courses with extensive field work can satisfy this requirement. However, preference will be given to people who have collected aquatic or hydrologic data in a work setting.   

Riparian Botanist Technician 

• Coursework in Botany, Ecology, Range Science, Wetland Ecology, Plant Taxonomy or closely related subject.  A completed B.S. or B.A. degree in a related subject preferred.  Herbarium, horticultural, restoration or other related field experience may substitute for academic qualifications.  
• Ability to identify riparian graminoids, forbs, shrubs and trees to species using dichotomous keys.  Knowledge of wetland and riparian plants of the Rocky Mountains and/or Intermountain West is preferred although those without wide experience in the West or in riparian environments are still encouraged to apply.  

Additional Qualifications 

• A basic understanding of how field protocols are used to conduct sampling and field data collection at assessment and monitoring sites.  
• Willingness to work irregular hours in harsh environments and challenging weather and carry 40-50 pounds in a backpack over uneven terrain.  
• Experience in and willingness to spend multiple days camping in the field where multiple hazards (snakes, bears, deadfall, lightning, poison ivy, fires, etc.) may be encountered. 
• Experience with data entry and management using personal computers or tablets. Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) and preferably with ArcGIS Field Maps and Survey123. 
• Demonstrated ability to work productively as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals and to work independently as required. 

Training 

These positions are ideal for people who are committed to ongoing learning and development. You will receive paid training on AIM protocols and associated methodology. The BLM hosts AIM trainings across multiple western states each year and participation is required by everyone who plans to collect AIM data during that calendar year and before any data is collected. UM ecologists will also provide additional training on protocols for the area in which you will be working and you will have ongoing field-based support and training from specialists during the field season. You also can interact with seasoned staff scientists from both the BLM and UM throughout training and field work.  

About UM and O’Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West   

The University of Montana is a flagship research institution with approximately 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The O’Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West, a regional studies and public education program. OCRMW staff are engaged in mapping wetlands across the western US and in carrying out inventory and monitoring projects for federal, state and tribal agencies.   

To learn more about the University of Montana, please visit the link below.  

University of Montana OCRMW Home Page 

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to Offer of Employment. In accordance with University policy, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations. 

ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran's Preference. Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. Testing Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions. Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9)