The Great Basin Institute (GBI), in cooperation with the Summit Lake Paiute Tribe (SLPT), is recruiting one (1) Short-term Fisheries Research Associate to assist the SLPT Natural Resources Department staff to perform tasks associated with surveying, counting, capturing, and tagging Lahontan cutthroat trout (LCT). Summit Lake holds one of the two remaining self-sustaining lake populations of LCT, a federally threatened species. Monitoring this population has been a 60+ year project for the SLPT and ensuring its preservation is vital for the recovery of this species as a whole and retaining the cultural significance of these fish to the Tribe. This is a 12-week field-based position in a remote location on the Summit Lake Reservation in Humboldt County, Nevada.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Assist with monitoring the LCT spawn run in the Mahogany Creek Fish Trap (50%);
• Conduct redd surveys throughout the watershed (20%);
• Assist with juvenile/fry trap monitoring (20%); and
• Occasionally assist with other natural resource projects as needed, such as water quality monitoring, Tribal outreach, Sage Grouse population monitoring, and fence/station/vehicle maintenance (10%)

Timeline:

• Starting on April 1, 2026, and ending on June 26, 2026; 12 weeks;
• Full-time (40 hours/week) with a combination of a 4/10 schedule (four ten-hour days each week), and 5/8 schedule (five eight-hour days each week);
• Weekend and holiday work may be required; and
• A willingness and ability to remain flexible with work schedules is necessary given the needs of the fish trap.

Location:

Work will take place in the field station on the Summit Lake Reservation, the most remote Indian reservation in Nevada. Located in NW Nevada, the Reservation is 50 miles south of the Oregon border and 70 miles east of the California border, and about 4 hours north of Reno, Nevada.

Compensation and Benefits:

Compensation: $23.00 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;
• Access to Pro Deals; and
• Mental health support resources are employer provided through an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Housing: Shared housing with basic amenities (electric, water, heat/AC, wifi etc.) is provided on the Reservation during scheduled field work.

Note: Employees are expected to adhere to all Summit Lake Paiute Tribe Policies when on Tribal property including during non-working hours.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Successful completion of at least 2 years of college-level coursework in natural resources, biology, or related field;
• At least six months experience in natural resource projects such as wildlife research and monitoring;
• Able to maintain a flexible work schedule –i.e. working up to a week at a time, working on weekends, and the possibility of schedule changes a week or two out;
• Ability to navigate in remote areas (no cell service) using compass, GPS, natural features, and maps;
• Ability to live and work as a team member in an extremely remote area of Northern Nevada for extended periods of time;
• Possession of a clean and valid driving license (a driving record will be requested during the onboarding process);
• Ability to lift up to 50lbs and hike for extended periods of time over uneven terrain in inclement weather;
• Adhere to daily/weekly work schedules that are subject to change in response to project needs;
• Comfortable working in both extremely cold and extremely hot temperatures;
• Comfortable with primitive living conditions for extended periods of time;
• Self-motivated with a positive attitude;
• Able to demonstrate good written and verbal communication skills; effectively interact with Tribal members, staff and agency personnel; work independently, collaboratively, and effectively in a cross-cultural environment with people of various skills;
• Working knowledge of proper wildlife and fish handling, tagging, and tracking techniques, proper data collection and record keeping;
• Safe driving techniques on unmaintained dirt/gravel roads using 4x4 trucks, UTVs and ATVs; and
• Passion for the outdoors and natural resource conservation and management.