Colorado BLM Stream Monitoring Crew Leads and Technicians

TITLE: Colorado BLM Stream Monitoring Crew Leads and Technicians
POSITION TYPE: Full-time, temporary
NUMBER OF POSITIONS: 2 in total, 1 Crew Lead and 1 Technician
WORK LOCATIONS: Based in Fort Collins, CO. Travel throughout Colorado.
PAY RATE: Crew Leads: $20-23/hr. Technicians: $18-19/hr. Depending on experience and position. 
~$60.00/day per diem & gear reimbursement when traveling beyond base location.
Total reimbursement = $395-455/two-week hitch.
Health insurance, retirement, paid federal holidays, and sick leave provided. 
DURATION: May–September 2024 

Summary of Positions 

In partnership with the Colorado Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) is seeking experienced field technicians to collect stream monitoring data through BLM’s Lotic Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring (AIM) Program. Successful applicants will be trained in Lotic AIM sampling protocols and will sample stream habitat for wadeable rivers and streams on BLM lands throughout Colorado. All technicians must be available for the weeklong training May 20-25, 2024.

One field team of two technicians each will be hired (1 Crew Lead and 1 Technician). The crew will begin field preparations starting May 13, 2024 and will collect data through September. The teams will work closely with Colorado BLM hydrologists, fisheries biologists, and other BLM staff within the Field Offices. Crews will typically spend 6-8 days in a row in the field, camping on BLM land. Data collection will include water quality sampling, stream habitat data, and benthic macro invertebrates. Field protocols can be found here: AIM National Aquatic Monitoring Framework: Field Protocol for Wadeable Lotic Systems, TR1735-2 ver 2 (blm.gov)

Crew Lead positions will begin work in advance of the field season to plan field season logistics and scout field sites. The Crew Lead will be responsible for supporting and managing crew safety and wellbeing, coordinating field logistics and scheduling, managing the crew’s equipment, and completing administrative paperwork. Before, during and after field data collection, the Crew Lead will be responsible for the organization and quality control of all AIM data collected using both paper forms and iPad tablets.

Qualifications for All Positions 

•  Coursework in ecology, natural resources, range management, or related field is required for all positions. A completed B.S. degree is preferred for all positions and required for Crew Leads. 
• Field experience collecting scientific data required for all positions. Experience with stream habitat, water quality, macroinvertebrates, and/or other environmental data preferred. 
• Experience with aerial photography (Google Earth), navigating with a topographic map, and use of GPS preferred for all positions and required for Lead Technicians. Experience with ArcGIS preferred for Crew Leads, but not required. 
• Willingness and ability to work long hours and unusual schedules, travel extensively during the field season, share living quarters, car camp, and potentially backpack and hike long distances (up to 10 miles / day) while carrying a heavy pack (up to 40 lbs) required for all positions. 
• Willingness and ability to work with a positive attitude in field conditions that include exposure to inclement weather, rugged terrain, hot or cold weather (30–110° F), mosquitos, and poisonous plants, all while maintaining a strong commitment to team safety required for all positions. 
• High degree of comfort wading in all types of streams including those with slick rocks, boulders, fast water, cold water, deep mud, and log jams is required for all positions. 
• Careful attention to detail and strong written and organizational skills to complete lengthy field forms required for all positions. Experience collecting data electronically using tablets or other devices preferred for all positions. 
• Strong oral communication skills for professional interactions with BLM staff and private landowners required for all positions. 
• A valid driver’s license required for all positions. Experience driving 4×4 vehicles on rough roads preferred. 
• Wilderness First Aid or other field safety training preferred for all positions. 

Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.