Pacfish Infish Biological Opinion Seasonal Biological Science Tech
The Pacfish Infish Biological Opinion (PIBO) Monitoring Program will soon begin filling multiple temporary seasonal positions through a cooperative work agreement with Utah State University for the 2023 field season. Biological Technician (Fish) and Biological Science Technician (Plants) will be filled at $15.00 per hour. These positions will begin May 8th and incumbents must be able to commit to this start date at the latest. Student employees typically work the end of August (last day of work for USU student would be the 22nd to accommodate the start of classes in the Fall), while others will work to mid-September with extensions determined by availability of work and funding. Housing and per diem will not be provided for this position.
The incumbent will serve alongside members of the PIBO Monitoring Program team. The project’s goal is to evaluate the status and trend of aquatic and riparian habitat on lands managed by the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and other federal agencies within the Interior Columbia River and Upper Missouri River basins. The PIBO program collects data on approximately 450 streams each year, located throughout the states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, and Montana. During the summer months the incumbent is required to work remotely for 8 consecutive days, followed by a 6 day break. This is a field based job requiring living, hiking, and working in remote areas with uneven terrain and inclement weather conditions.
Biological Science Technician (Plants) position responsibilities include riparian vegetation data collection and extensive plant identification. You will learn a variety of sampling techniques and how to identify many riparian plant species, including: sedges, grasses, forbs, willows, and other woody plants. Incumbents are typically exposed to 300-500 riparian plant species per season as part of riparian vegetation assessments. To qualify, the incumbent must have completed at least one plant taxonomy course and have experience identifying plants using dichotomous keys.
Biological Science Technician (Fish) position responsibilities include an intensive reach scale stream survey. Using one of the most rigorously tested sampling protocols available, technicians collect information on a variety of stream attributes including habitat formations, channel geometry, substrate size, stream bank characteristics, gradient, water chemistry, large woody debris, and macroinvertebrate assemblages. To qualify, incumbent must have course work or experience in natural resource management; especially fisheries, water resources, and stream morphology.
All position requires a valid driver’s license issued by any US state or territory. Regardless of position the incumbent will spend a great deal of time wading through streams and must be willing to work and live in wet conditions. The number of positions will be determined by funding.
Apply to the QCNR Internship Program Here
Applicant review will begin early February and continue until positions are full. We will be filling
5 positions and possibly more.
For more information about PIBO, and the seasonal positions, please visit our website.
The USDA Forest Service is an equal opportunity employer.