Aquatic Monitoring Technician

Description: The Institute for Natural Resources (INR) in Portland, OR, an independent research institute, is partnering with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to implement its Aquatic Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) strategy, targeted at collecting standardized data from streams across BLM Districts in the western U.S. INR is hiring multiple positions to conduct this work for the Aquatic AIM program. Potential candidates looking to assist in this effort with INR and the BLM will work helping assess the health of BLM lands on crews consisting of one crew lead and one field technician or one crew lead, one technician, and one botanist working in Oregon or California. 

The work will focus on wadeable streams and rivers ranging from a few inches deep to fast-flowing small rivers across Oregon/Washington and California. Crews will collect aquatic data following the AIM National Aquatic Monitoring Framework: Field Protocol for Wadeable Lotic Systems (TR 1735-2) to assess the surface water hydrology and geomorphic conditions for the 2026 field season, as well as other on the ground restoration and monitoring work. 

Due to the work stretching across the west, crews will have different start dates and locations where they will be based throughout the field season. Training will occur in mid-April for California and early June for Oregon. There is some flexibility in where crew members are based. Locations and desired positions are below:

Responsibilities: As part of an AIM crew, the work is entirely field-based and requires camping in typically isolated areas with few amenities in the surrounding area. During this fieldwork, crews work a 10-hour-a-day hitch-based schedule with 8 days (Wed-Wed) on and 6 days off, working in all kinds of weather. Crews must be prepared for conditions such as extreme heat, sun exposure, long hours in the vehicle, nearby wildfires, smoke, driving on rough gravel and 4×4 trails, carrying 40-50lbs packs over steep and uneven terrain, and encounters with wildlife. INR provides Crews with a two-burner stove, propane, table, sampling gear, and other crew essentials. Crew members are responsible for arranging their housing in between hitches and their personal camping equipment. 

All positions will have the opportunity to conduct sampling in vast and unique habitats with a history of wildfires, settlers, and indigenous people. Crews will also gain experience learning a protocol implemented across the Western U.S., identifying plant and animal species native and invasive to the location, and monitoring surface water hydrology and its geomorphic features during the fieldwork in remote landscapes. 

Qualifications: 

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Aquatic Ecology, Fisheries, Hydrology, Water Resources, or a related subject. Experience may be substituted for up to two years of education on a one-to-one basis. 
• A minimum of one season of field data collection. Several lab courses with extensive fieldwork can satisfy this requirement. However, preference will be given to people who have collected aquatic or hydrologic data in a work setting. 
• Experience following established field protocols to conduct sampling and field data collection on new and existing monitoring sites. 
• Experience with data entry and management using Microsoft Office (Excel, Access) and/or GIS 
• Experience navigating and collecting coordinates with hand-held GPS units or other electronic devices such as Survey123. 
• Experience driving and maintaining 4WD trucks, especially in off-road situations. Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record. Experience driving UTV/side-by-side vehicles is preferred. 
• Demonstrated ability to work productively as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals, and to work independently as required. 
• Experience in and willingness to spend multiple days camping in the field where hazards (snakes, bears, deadfall, lightning, poison oak, flash floods, fires, etc.) may be encountered. 
• Willingness to work irregular hours in harsh environments and challenging weather, and carry 40-50lbs in a backpack over uneven terrain. 
• Wilderness First Aid is a plus; CPR and First Aid Certification are preferred.

Learn more about the Institute for Natural Resources and apply here.