Sierra Restoration & Monitoring Field Technician

Description: Trout Unlimited is hiring several self-motivated, hardworking, and highly capable people to work as a restoration implementation and monitoring field technician for our California Inland Trout Program. Each person will participate in low-tech process-based restoration construction (e.g. beaver dam analogs) and project effectiveness monitoring for wild and native trout habitat restoration and connectivity projects across the Sierra Nevada. These positions are 100% field-based and require frequent travel and camping in distant and remote back country locations.  They will have a geographical focus on the southern Sierra (specifically, the Kern Plateau) and will work closely with our construction contractors, science team, and other field staff on a wide variety of headwater stream, meadow, and associated habitat restoration monitoring projects. Field work includes but is not limited to: building instream restoration features utilizing hand tools, hiking and camping in remote locations for eight-day field tours, photo point documentation, and project effectiveness monitoring. Each person will be based out of Bishop, California, and will report to the Sierra Restoration Field Coordinator. 

Responsibilities: Act as a core team member in low-tech process-based restoration construction and project effectiveness monitoring.

Participate in a pre-defined work schedule of eight 10-hr days on and six days off for the duration of the position, initiating June 10, 2025 and ending in September or October (pending weather and availability).

Navigate, camp, and work in remote backcountry setting with hike-in access only and wilderness area designation restrictions. 

Accurately assess and record biological and geomorphic survey data based on pre-established protocols.

Data entry and QAQC utilizing tablets and standard mapping and data entry software.

Properly store and maintain field equipment and tools.

Drive to and from field sites and trailheads in a large, 4wd truck on rough roads.

Hike up to 10-15 miles carrying 40-50 pounds of gear.

This is not an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities.

Qualifications: Associate or bachelor’s degree, or equivalent related professional experience. 

• Minimum of 1 year of experience in field work in either monitoring or hand-based restoration implementation, such as trails maintenance, fire, forest health, and other stream or vegetation management/enhancement. 
• Willingness and ability to travel 100% of the time and work remotely for multiple days at a time, including in backcountry sites at or above 7,000’ elevation accessed exclusively via trail with all necessary personal items and select group gear carried in a self-contained backpack. 
• Willingness to perform intensive manual labor, such as tree cutting, hauling, digging, and pounding, for up to 8-10 hours per day. 
• Positive outlook and ability to work and live as part of a team, particularly in challenging work-site conditions, during long days and inclement weather is essential.
• Valid driver’s license and own vehicle required (field vehicle will be supplied, but must be able to travel to hub location)

Learn more and apply here.