The Research Associate Program at GBI, in cooperation with USFS Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (South Lake Tahoe, CA) is recruiting one (1) Hydrological Technician to perform a wide variety of activities to support monitoring and implementation of the stream and meadow restoration program at the LTBMU. 

The technician will support various USFS projects which aim to restore stream and meadow environments and trail systems in the Lake Tahoe Basin. This position provides an opportunity to gain hands-on, career-building experience in stream monitoring and surveying methods, Best Management Practice (BMP) monitoring techniques, and on the ground experience with beaver dam analog and floodplain roughness structure installation. This position will require field work in the Burke Creek and Bijou Park Creek watersheds in the Lake Tahoe Basin, in addition to Basinwide BMP monitoring of LTBMU projects from different departments (including recreation, engineering, vegetation management, and ecosystem conservation). 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Stream Condition Inventory monitoring (i.e., stream surveying);
• BMP installation at restoration sites and monitoring for implementation and effectiveness of BMPs Forest-wide;
• Vegetation removal and planting at stream restoration sites;
• Working in close proximity to heavy equipment performing restoration activities;
• Water quality monitoring to ensure permit compliance; and
• Monitoring data and analysis for reporting purposes.

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

Timeline:

• June 8th, 2026 - October 29th, 2026; 21 wks; and
• Full time (40 hours/week).

Location:

The position(s) are located out of the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit 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.

Uniform Stipend: $250.00.

Housing: Will be provided to participants. Local residents will receive a housing stipend of $300/month.

Qualifications:

Required:

• 4 years of education in environmental science, biology, ecology, hydrology, natural resource management or related field;
• 6 months of professional field work experience;
• Capacity to collect and maintain field data in an organized manner that is easily understood and accessible to other staff;
• Ability to navigate and collect data using handheld GPS units;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a diverse audience;
• 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:

• Experience and/or understanding of stream surveying techniques;
• Familiarity with hydrological terminology and concepts (e.g., riffles, pools, bankfull);
• Experience with vegetation removal and planting;
• Familiarity with Microsoft excel for data entry and graphing; and
• Willingness to do field work.

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.