NY Field Technician

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 out of more than 45 offices across the country.  Our mission is to conserve, protect, and restore North America’s cold-water fisheries and their watersheds.  

POSITION SUMMARY

DEPARTMENT:  Eastern Conservation

REPORTS TO:  Restoration Manager NY and CT; Tracy Brown

POSITION TYPE/HOURS:   Full time Seasonal; 40 hrs week

Trout Unlimited in New York is looking for energetic, intelligent and motivated individuals to join our staff for seasonal employment in 2020. The job will assist activities that support native trout and aquatic resource conservation. While a variety of conservation activities may be encountered, the primary duties will be to complete road stream crossing assessments in the Towns of Hancock, Colchester and Deposit, NY. We are looking to fill two entry-level, temporary positions (3-6 months) with negotiable spring summer start dates.

The 2-3 person team will work 40-hour weeks (typically 4 days at 10 hours/day) that require driving on rural roads with limited cell phone coverage, traversing difficult terrain while carrying field gear up to 50 pounds and working in all types of weather conditions.  The position will be based out of the Friends of the Upper Delaware River office in Hancock, NY, with necessary overnight travel to other sites throughout eastern New York. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist with culvert assessments using the North Atlantic Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative (NAACC) protocol.
• Assist with watershed survey activities including: stream morphology, habitat and fish population assessment. 

• Maintain rigorous data collection and assessment protocols; identify and report any concerns to supervisor.  
• Wade streams and rivers in a variety of flow regimes and weather conditions.
• Maintain equipment and report maintenance/equipment needs to supervisor.
• Additional duties in support of the watershed program may be required and include, but are not limited to:  volunteer event coordinating, tree planting, restoring streams with large woody material, community meetings and presentations, water temperature monitoring, and education/outreach.
• Maintain a high level of integrity while on the job.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrable experience with physically demanding field work.
• Own personal vehicle that can be used for work travel.
• A valid driver’s license and the ability to pass background checks for employment.
• Ability to quickly acquire skills and learn new techniques.
• Willing to work long days in outdoor field conditions.
• Patience to deal with bugs, snakes, mud, rain, cold, and hot weather.
• Possess strong communication skills.
• Working knowledge of stream ecology and watershed science.
• Ability to work cooperatively in a team with varied skills, abilities and perspectives.
• Ability to think creatively, keep an open mind, and take constructive criticism.

Competitive candidates will also have several of the following:

• Experience surveying culverts using NAACC protocol
• Outdoor field experience
• Exposure to aquatic habitat surveys 
• Fish ID skills
• Electrofishing experience 
• Laser level survey experience
• First Aid/CPR training
• Experience living in rural settings and working as part of a team

HOW TO APPLY

Please send a letter of interest, resume and 3 professional references in a single attachment to Tracy.Brown@tu.org.  Review of applicants will begin March 1st and will continue until positions are full.  Please note, this is a seasonal 3-6-month positions, depending on start date. Please insert the words “NY Field Technician” in the subject line of the message. No phone calls please.

TU is an Equal Employment Opportunity & Affirmative Action Employer pursuant to Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act & Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistant Act. TU hires staff without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status or disability.