Stream Restoration Field Specialist

Trout Unlimited is a national organization with 300,000 members and supporters organized into over 400 chapters and councils nationwide. These dedicated grassroots volunteers are matched by a respected staff of organizers, lawyers, policy experts, and scientists, who work across the country. Our mission is to conserve, protect, and restore North America’s cold-water fisheries and their watersheds.

Position Description

Trout Unlimited in Northeast Oregon is looking for an enthusiastic, hardworking, and motivated individual to join our team in 2025. TU is working with the U.S. Forest Service Wallowa-Whitman and Malheur National Forests, the Bureau of Land Management, and private landowners to conduct stream restoration that supports native trout, salmon, and ecosystem conservation.

We are looking to fill a temporary position with an anticipated start date of June 25th, and end date of August 22nd. Dates may be flexible depending on the applicant’s circumstances. There is a possibility of optional fall fieldwork between late September and mid-November, however this is dependent on pending funding decisions.

The successful candidate will receive training and experience in multiple stream restoration activities. The summer field season will involve physically demanding fieldwork. Fieldwork will include construction of beaver dam analogues and large woody debris structures in headwater streams to restore fish and wildlife habitat. Additional fieldwork may consist of planting, thinning, electrofishing, fence maintenance, and other field tasks. The field technician will help TU staff lead contracted hand crews and teach basic restoration techniques.

Our crews work 40+ hour weeks (with paid overtime), camp 3-4 nights per week, and travel to remote field sites. Daily tasks involve traversing difficult terrain while carrying field gear and supplies in all weather conditions. Successful applicants must be team-oriented with a positive attitude. The position will be based out of NE Oregon (La Grande, Baker City, or other local area), with fieldwork and camping at multiple project sites during the week. The primary duties are listed below.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Enhance habitat in headwater streams for fish and wildlife using tools including grip hoist, winch, hand tools, chainsaws, pulleys, levers, and muscles
• Help lead hand crews (including young adult crews) as part of TU’s Headwaters Hand crew Initiative
• Perform additional duties including, but not limited to, riparian planting, fence maintenance, habitat assessment/monitoring, stream surveys, and education/outreach
• Transport heavy gear daily over difficult terrain
• Work in a close-knit team with a high degree of coordination and communication
• Keep a positive attitude and follow directions while conducting physically demanding work
• Maintain and inventory project equipment.
• Design restoration actions to enhance stream morphology (training provided)
• Camp at worksites 3 to 4 nights per week
• Perform all duties with safety as the top priority. Maintain situational awareness and manage risk in a remote field environment
• Maintain a high level of integrity throughout the season while setting a positive example for other crewmembers.

Desired Qualifications

• A strong passion for native fish, wildlife, and watershed ecology
• Leadership and teamwork experience
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to quickly acquire skills and learn new techniques
• Willingness to work long physically demanding days in challenging environments
• Experience camping in remote areas
• Ability to work cooperatively in a team with varied skills, abilities, and perspectives
• Ability to keep an open mind, and take constructive feedback
• A valid driver’s license and the ability to pass background checks for employment. Use of a personal vehicle may be required.

Competitive candidates will have one or more of the following: 

• Chainsaw experience (U.S. Forest Service Certification Preferred)
• Wilderness First Aid/Wilderness First Responder Certification/First Aid and CPR
• Trail maintenance and/or hand-based construction experience
• Previous field work and camping in remote environments
• Knowledge of basic mechanical repair
• Knowledge of hydrology, ecology, fish, wildlife, riparian/floodplain habitats

Salary and Benefits

$23 per hour. Meal stipend provided when overnight camping is required. Mileage will be reimbursed at the 2025 federal rate of $0.70/mile if the use of a personal vehicle is required.