Invasion Ecology Technician

Company Name: Upstream Consulting & Evaluation, LLC

Job Title: Invasion Ecology Technician – Seasonal Position

Start Date: April/May 2025

End Date: Late August/early September 2025

Pay: $24-26/hour – depending on experience

Hours/week- varies: Work is seasonal, and hours vary depending on weather conditions and site access. Estimated 25-40 hours/week from mid-May to late August/early September. There may be occasional weekend work and overnight trips to sampling sites throughout Vermont and New York.

About:

Upstream Consulting & Evaluation, LLC is a small, locally owned business seeking an Invasion Ecology Technician to assist our lead researcher at stream, lake, and pond sites throughout the Lake Champlain watershed (both in Vermont and New York) to sample for and identify invasive and native mollusks and crustaceans. This is part of a three-year research project focused on sampling sites throughout the region to better understand the distribution of invasive mollusks and crustaceans in order to inform future early detection and rapid response efforts and priority locations for outreach and education. Work will take place at a variety of sites throughout Vermont and New York. 

Note: Applicants are encouraged to apply even if they are unsure whether or not they meet the requirements listed below as transferable skills may be accepted in certain circumstances. 

Key responsibilities:

• In-water and shore/bank searches for mollusks and crustaceans.
• Maintaining detailed records of organisms found and adhering to data quality assurance protocols.
• Cleaning, maintaining, and calibrating sampling gear.
• Photographing organisms.
• Preparing voucher specimens.

Job requirements:

• Experience identifying native and invasive mollusks and crustaceans (or transferable skill set).
• Ability to swim and be comfortable in various freshwater environments, transport up to 30 lbs of gear over uneven terrain, and wear a snorkel mask underwater in order to conduct searches and find and identify organisms.
• Experience using/reading measuring instruments such as measuring tapes, calipers, and thermometers.
• Experience recording data and maintaining data quality.
• Basic technology skills (e.g., entering information into an Excel spreadsheet)
• Ability to be outdoors in various weather conditions (sun, heat, rain, etc.)
• Willingness to work a schedule that will vary depending on weather conditions.
• Flexibility for occasional multi-day sampling trips that require camping overnight on location.
• Must have reliable transportation to Richmond, VT Park & Ride (carpool location to meet for travel to sites).

Bonus Skills that would be useful for this position:

• Snorkeling experience
• Previous experience with eDNA sampling
• First Aid/CPR certification
• Previous experience in field research settings, preferably aquatic environments
• Previous experience preparing voucher specimens and/or photographing animals
• Experience communicating science with members of the public

Perks of the job:

• Fishing license
• Stipend for wear and tear on personal clothing/gear due to field work
• Paid sick days (1 hour accrued for every 40 hours worked)

How to apply:

Send an email with Subject: “Invasion Ecology Technician application” describing your interest in the position and specific skills, and a resume or CV to Melanie Giangreco (Senior Researcher & Evaluator for Upstream Consulting & Evaluation, LLC) at melanie@upstreamvt.com.