Lake Monitoring & Protection Technician

Vilas County is hiring a Lake Monitoring & Protection Technician

This is a temporary mid-level position responsible for implementing the Vilas County Aquatic Invasive Species Management Plan and Land & Water Resources Management Plan throughout the 2025 summer field season. The candidate must possess the skills necessary to accomplish tasks independently with minimal oversight or work cooperatively as part of a team. All duties and responsibilities of the position are performed under the guidance of the Land and Water Conservation Committee and the County Conservationist.

Duties:

1.Assist Department staff with prevention, monitoring of aquatic invasive species (AIS) and lake/stream/wetland health in priority waterbodies. Projects include (but are not limited to): Clean Boats Clean Waters boat inspections; Aquatic Invasive Species Early Detection Monitoring; shoreline monitoring for wetland invasive species; stream monitoring; biological control work; and assisting where needed for other field data collection.
2.Coordinate and/or lead AIS-related educational campaigns such as AIS Snapshot Day, the Drain Campaign, and the annual Landing Blitz.
3.Assist with training volunteers and paid workers for lake and stream monitoring efforts, such as the Citizen Lake Monitors, Clean Boats Clean Waters Inspectors, and Water Action Volunteers.
4.Responsible for properly maintaining and calibrating all field and monitoring equipment before and after use.
5.Responsible for decontamination of boats, gear, and field equipment by using approved methods.
6.Follow field safety protocols for working along roadways and in water: ie high visibility vests, life jackets, use of dive flags, etc.
7.Process voucher specimens of plants and suspected AIS as needed.
8.Assisting with performing/coordinating repairs to boats and equipment.
9.Assist with providing educational outreach to lake organizations or community groups such as workshops, online communications, press releases, and phone calls/emails/in-person inquiries from the public.
10.Enter data collected into Excel spreadsheets/DNR SWIMS database/other platforms as required.
11.Assists in the administration of department records by maintaining grant logs and updating lists.
12.Attend trainings as required.
13.All other duties as time allows or as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Basic understanding of aquatic invasive species and/or AIS monitoring protocols.
• Progression toward an undergraduate degree in a natural resource management field or similar
• Must possess a strong background in written and verbal communications and the ability to speak publicly in front of groups; ability to deliver news messages using all public media formats
• Possess a comfort level utilizing databases and spreadsheets
• Ability to organize daily tasks, coordinate volunteer activities, and accurately enter data.
• Possess knowledge of invasive species management issues and their solutions.
• Ability to operate modern computer hardware, software, and peripheral devices.
• Possess basic understanding of operating GPS devices and GIS software.
• Strong willingness to learn and a drive to complete the tasks that are assigned in a timely manner.
• Problem-solving skills; and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Field activities may require work in rough, wet or hilly terrain, on the water, or in the water (wading and snorkeling).
• Must be willing to operate outboard motor watercraft and have/obtain WI Boater Safety Certification.
• Proficiency with canoeing is preferred.

Salary & Benefits: The rate of pay is $18.00 per hour, Monday – Friday 40 hours per week and occasional evenings and weekends as needed. This is a limited term employment opportunity with no benefits except those required by law.

Successful candidates must pass a drug screen, background check, and other potential pre-employment requirements. Interested candidates should send an application by the deadline of Friday, February 14, 2025 found on the Vilas County website www.vilascountywi.gov, with a resume to: Human Resources, 330 Court Street, Eagle River, WI 54521 email: apply@vilascountywi.gov , fax: 715-479-3799.
Vilas County is an equal opportunity employer.