The Research Associate Program at GBI, in cooperation with USFS Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (South Lake Tahoe, CA) is recruiting two (2) Lahontan Cutthroat Trout Restoration Crew Assistant Leads to perform habitat surveys and restoration work for Lahontan Cutthroat Trout (LCT) recovery efforts in the Lake Tahoe Basin. 

LCT Restoration Technicians will perform a wide variety of activities to support all stages of project implementation. Technicians will support a USFS project which aims to facilitate natural downstream range expansion of an existing Lahontan cutthroat trout population by removing non-native trout. These positions provide an opportunity to gain hands-on, career-building experience in fishery sampling methods, data collection, and applied fisheries management and restoration. These positions will require 8-day backcountry camping trips to conduct field work in the Upper Truckee River watershed in the Lake Tahoe basin. Technicians may also support other Aquatic Program projects on the LTBMU.

Duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Electrofishing and gillnetting to eradicate non-native trout;
• Stream habitat surveys following a standard protocol;
• Collecting data using paper and/or digital software;
• Constructing stream diversions using sandbag dams and flexible piping;
• Running gas powered water pumps and generators to dewater stream channels;
• Moving and carrying equipment for long distances;
• Using electric and manual hand tools to prune vegetation;
• Monitoring stream temperature using data loggers and associated software; and
• Camping and working in a remote setting for up to 8 days.

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

Timeline:

• Start Date: June 1, 2026; 22-week appointment;
• Full time (40 hours/week); and
• Most of the field season will be an 8 on/6 off schedule of backcountry camping. Gear and equipment for backcountry camping will be provided. Crews may work a 4/10s, front country schedule in the beginning and end of the field season, and potentially intermittently throughout the season. Early mornings may be required.

Location:

The position(s) are located out of the Lake Tahoe Basin Management 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: $24.12 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.

Per Diem: Camping per diem provided per night in the field.

Uniform Stipend: $250.00.

Housing: May be provided to participants.

Qualifications:

Required:

• 2 years of education in environmental science, biology, ecology, hydrology, natural resource management or related field; AND,
• 6 months of experience assisting a crew lead or supervisor in their duties for survey or restoration work.
• Capacity to collect and maintain field data in an organized manner that is easily understood and accessible to other staff;
• Ability to swim and work confidently in and around deep and flowing water;
• Ability to navigate and collect data using handheld GPS units;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a diverse audience;
• Ability to live and work with a small group in a backcountry camp for 8-day hitches;
• 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:

• Ability to understand, implement and adhere to established data collection, inventory, assessment and monitoring protocols; 
• Familiarity with electrofishing techniques and safety;
• Familiarity with gillnetting in small lakes;
• Familiarity with small engine maintenance and repair;
• Familiarity with ArcGIS Pro and ESRI Field Maps;
• Experience with construction or restoration work, using hand tools, and working with gas-powered equipment; and
• Experience with Smith-Root backpack electrofishers, Hach turbidimeters, Onset HOBO temperature loggers, GeoTech peristaltic pumps, and Flow Mate flow monitoring devices.

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.