POSITION TITLE: Research Technician I

SUPERVISOR: Scott Roberts, Director of Water Programs  

TERMS: Part-time (Irregular) $20.00/hour

LOCATION: San Juan Mountains, reporting office Durango, or Silverton, CO

TIMELINE: June 2025—April 2026 (approximate, end date negotiable); 

• June 16 ,2025 – approximate start date 
• June 2025-August 2025 - full time field work, approximately 11 weeks
• September-April 2026 - part time hourly project support; amount of part-time work and end date contingent on project needs.

Mountain Studies Institute (MSI) is seeking two (2) motivated and dedicated individuals to serve as a Research Technician I in MSI’s Water Team. 

Full-time field work between mid-June and the end of August will include assisting with a mountain peatland inventory to support mapping efforts of the national PeatRestore project, identify potential restoration needs, and assess changes in peatland condition over time. The Research Technician I will work alongside MSI project and field managers, partners, and volunteers to provide monitoring and field support for several MSI wetland related projects in the summer. The Research Technician I will assist with field data collection related to wetland condition monitoring and peatland mapping. The Research Technician I will work across the San Juan Mountains, focused mainly on San Juan National Forest lands. One or two 3-night backpacking trips may be required. Other tasks the Research Technician I may assist with include data entry and field equipment upkeep.

Part-time work from September 2025 – April 2026 will include assisting with field work and data analysis on a project investigating how wildfire mitigation and forest management activities (thinning, prescribed fire) affects snowpack and water resources, processing and sub-sampling benthic macroinvertebrate (aquatic insect) samples, stream and wetland restoration, and other MSI projects as needed. 

Qualified candidates will have an interest in mountain wetland ecology and/or aquatic ecology, a thorough understanding of their own physical/mental/emotional needs in a backcountry setting, and a background in rugged field work. A qualified candidate must be able to thoroughly follow detailed inventory and safety protocols. This position will require long days in variable weather conditions and travel on foot over rough terrain. Overnight camping for three to four nights a week during a majority of the summer field season (June – August 2025) will be required. Qualified candidates should also be prepared for one to two three-night backpacking trips. Candidates may be asked to use their personal vehicle for transportation to/from sites depending on MSI’s vehicle availability and have proof of personal automobile insurance.

SCHEDULE

40-hour week during June, July and August; occasional long days, weekend, or evening work may be required. 10-20 hour week during September - April. There may be some weeks during the employment period when work will not be provided (due to adverse weather conditions, etc.). MSI staff will coordinate with the Project Research Technician I regarding these periods if they occur. Field crews will typically work a 4 day on/3 day off work week during the summer field season (June-August). Work during the September 2025 to April 2026 season will consist of flexible hours in MSI’s aquatic ecology and snowtography labs, and include two 8-hour field days (including driving time) twice a month.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 1-2 seasons of wetland, ecology, hydrology, or forestry-related field experience
• Vegetation identification course work, fieldwork and/or personal experience 
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions, including ability to consistently follow and adhere to detailed field sampling protocols
• Valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a valid driver's license by employment start date
• Willingness to work in a small 2-3 person crew in an isolated setting for multiple days
• Willingness and ability to work long days and unusual schedule in rugged and often remote terrain and adverse weather conditions
• Willingness to camp and/or backpack for 3-4 days a week 
• Ability to carry a 30-45 lb pack and work at elevations between 9,000 and 13,000 feet
• Ability to hike long distances (>5 miles) as needed to access sampling sites
• Valid Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification or the ability to obtain at least a WFA by the employment start date
• MSI will cover the cost of tuition up to $280 for a WFA or WFR course
• Experience navigating high clearance 4-wheel drive roads and backcountry travel
• Experience navigating to sampling points within a GPS unit and/or navigation application (eg. Avenza or Gaia)
• Strong attention to detail
• A high school diploma or GED

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Wetland vegetation identification coursework and/or field work
• Soil coursework and/or field work
• Experience delineating wetlands
• Experience using a vegetation field identification key
• Experience collecting basic water quality field measurements (e.g., pH, temperature)
• Willingness and ability to work with volunteers and crew members of all age ranges and a spectrum of interests
• Associate’s or Bachelor's degree in an environmental field (ecology, environmental science, hydrology, geology)

Note that experience includes lived experience, traditional knowledge, volunteer experience, school or coursework, work experience, and other related qualifications, skills, and experience.

No candidate will meet every requirement. If you're excited about the position, passionate about wetlands, and/or think you may be a good candidate, we encourage you to apply.

TRAINING PROVIDED

MSI will provide wetland vegetation identification training as well as training surrounding the specific methods used for project work and data management. Wilderness First Aid training will be available on an as-needed basis. MSI and project staff will provide guidance and support throughout the season. 

COMPENSATION

Wage range $20/hour; plus a $125/week stipend for per diem expenses during the 11-week June-August field campaign. Per diem is not offered during the part-time September 2025 -April 2026 period.

EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

Paid Time off 

BACKGROUND CHECK

Candidates offered this position will be required to successfully pass a background check prior to their start date.

HOUSING

The Project Research Technician I will be responsible for securing housing. MSI staff can provide some guidance for candidates not already based in the Silverton/Durango area.

TO APPLY

Please submit resume, cover letter, and contact information for three references (including email, telephone number, and relationship to applicant) as a single PDF document to apply@mountainstudies.org with LastName_FenFieldTechnician as the document title. Applications will be reviewed between May 8 and May 18, 2025. 

For further position details, contact Lenka Doskocil at lenka@mountainstudies.org 

ABOUT MOUNTAIN STUDIES INSTITUTE

MSI is a 501 (c)(3) non-advocacy, mountain education and research center established in 2002 to develop the capacity of southwest Colorado mountain communities to thrive and live sustainably. MSI was created to increase knowledge of our unique mountain environments, deepen our understanding of the issues that affect them, and develop solutions for the benefit of our vibrant mountain communities. We build partnerships to steward natural and cultural values by engaging scientists, citizens, and land managers to innovate solutions through advancing research, promoting education, and developing best practices to put science into action.