The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management is recruiting 1 Hydrology Technician for the Casper Field Office, located in Casper, WY. Under the direction of the Hydrologist, the selected candidate will work closely with the agency hydrologist to assist with stream monitoring, weather station maintenance, riparian and wetland monitoring, fence maintenance for spring exclosures, surface water and groundwater collections and soil sample collection and processing.

This position is field-work intensive with approximately 90% of the term spent in the field and the remaining 10% spent analyzing data and compiling progress and final reports to be submitted by established deadlines.

Duties Include:

• Conducting Proper Functioning Condition Assessment on Lotic and Lentic waters.
• Assisting the Office Hydrologist with Multiple Indicator Monitoring and Stream Cross sections.
• Inventorying Range Improvement Projects.
• Collection and processing soil and water samples.
• Assist other specialists as needed, ie Rangeland Management Specialist, Wildlife Biologist, Recreation Specialist and Archeologist.

This position is primarily field based and will require moderate and occasionally strenuous physical exertion, including hiking with 20 to 30 pounds of gear up steep slopes and/or uneven terrain.  Field work would involve driving a BLM provided vehicle to field sites each day.  Common environmental hazards associated with field work could include heat, inclement weather, and strong winds.

Contract Timeline

• 16-week appointment beginning in May 2024, pending successful completion and passage of federal background check prior to start date;
• Full-time (40 hrs/wk)

Location:

Based in Casper, WY, in the vicinity of Casper Mountain and southern Big Horns. The Casper Field Office manages 1,326,733 million acres of public land for diverse resources and uses, including National Historic Trails , rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking and livestock grazing.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Wage: $18.75/hr.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance available at no cost
• Candidate is responsible for obtaining housing but BLM can support in navigating housing opportunities locally.

Qualifications:

• Interest or experience in hydrology, geology, botany, ecology, or other related field
• Identifying riparian plants is a bonus not a necessity.
• Ability to collect surface and ground water data in accordance with standard procedures using standard and specialized data collection equipment.
• Using GPS/GIS technology to collect, organize and display field data.
• Technical writing skills that communicate scientific results effectively and efficiently is highly desirable.
• Ability to read topographic maps and navigate via GPS with UTM coordinates or PLSS (Public Land Survey System).
• Many of the sites will be remote and the candidate will travel to these sites and perform the required work solo.
• Ability to conduct field work across rugged terrain, carry personal and technical field equipment, and withstand inclement weather conditions.
• Ability to be self-motivated and willing to accomplish objectives independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to function as part of an interdisciplinary team comprising various BLM resource specialists; and
• Possess a clean, valid state-issued driver’s license and the ability to safely operate a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads;