Stream Survey Technician

The Great Basin Institute is an interdisciplinary field studies organization that promotes environmental research, education, and service through the west. The Institute’s mission is to advance applied science and ecological literacy through community engagement and agency partnerships, supporting national parks, forest, open spaces and public lands. 

GBI’s Ecological Monitoring Program is dedicated to providing college graduates and emerging professionals with hands-on survey, inventory, monitoring, and reporting experience in natural resource management. Extensive training and technical field skills development provides employees a unique opportunity to obtain valuable experience in executing monitoring protocols that will increase their employment success. 

In one component of the program, technicians implement the United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) Flow Performance (FLOwPER) application to determine the accurate mapping of streams and their streamflow conditions. Determining the presence or absence of surface water is important to both understanding physical, chemical, and biological processes in streams and to managing land, water, and ecological resources. 

Description:

GBI is recruiting Stream Survey Technicians to work with GBI and USGS staff. Each Stream Technician will work under the supervision of one Crew Lead to collect streams data with the FLOwPER field form to provide standardized data collection to map the presence of flow in streams, and upload them into an ArcGIS database. This data can be used for multiple purposes, such as archiving where flowing water is present in forest planning units, informing modeling efforts of streamflow permanence, and providing information needed to update stream classifications across any spatial extent.

Field crews will also collect road stream crossings (ROADXStr) observations using the ROADXStr app. Road networks are a constant presence of human infrastructure in Pacific Northwest ecosystems. Maintaining and inventorying stream-road crossings is extremely important due to how impactful road networks are on stream systems. During field work, car camping for 7 night “hitches” in remote locations will typically be required.

Field work will include:

• Maintaining safety awareness and practices;
• Collecting data to characterize streamflow;
• Entering data into FLOwPER and ROADXStr applications;
• Locating survey sites using GPS and topographic maps;
• Navigating rough backcountry roads with 4WD vehicles;
• Hiking off trail and over rough terrain;
• Working with a small team to complete protocols; and
• Field camping for 7 day stints will be required.

Additional duties include:

• Regular communication with GBI support staff and agency staff;
• Participation in GBI and agency trainings; and
• Employing extensive QA/ QC checks.

Location and Tentative Timelines:

Timelines listed below are tentative, some with potential for extension.

This position is based out of Reno, NV. Technicians will travel throughout the Great Basin to collect streams data. 

Appointment Length:

16 weeks from 06/05/2024 to 09/20/2024

Compensation:

• $18/ per hour
• $30 per diem for every night camped in the field (up to 7 units in an 8 day work week)
• Affordable Care Act Compliant Health insurance including vision and dental provided at no cost to the employee starting the first day of the month following employment start date.
• Paid federal holidays
• Paid personal time off (amount dependant on contract length)

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Aquatic Ecology, Fisheries, Hydrology, Water Resources, or other relative Natural Resource degree.   

Technical Requirements:

• Experience with data entry and management;
• Ability to read, interpret and navigate using topographic maps;
• Experience safely operating 4WD trucks on paved and unpaved roads, often in remote areas on unimproved roads;
• Experience navigating and collecting coordinates with hand-held GPS units;
• Experience creating maps and performing basic functions with GIS software (ArcMap), preferred; and
• Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access).

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness and ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic setting, and to consistently enact high performance standards and a strong work and team ethic in support of the goals and objectives of the Ecological Monitoring program and the mission of GBI;
• Valid, state-issued driver’s license and clean driving record;
• Ability to work productively as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals;
• Ability to work independently;
• Ability to communicate effectively with team members, agency staff, and a diverse public;
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Familiarity with best practices for field safety and Leave No Trace principles;
• Experience in and willingness to spend up to seven consecutive nights camping with no amenities in remote locations;
• Willingness to work irregular hours (e.g., early mornings, late nights); and
• Ability to work in harsh and rapidly changing environments, work in all types of weather conditions, traverse uneven terrain, carry upwards of 40 pounds in a backpack, and otherwise maintain good physical condition.