The Stream Barrier Assessment Crew Member will work closely with other crew members and conservation partners to survey and monitor road crossings for fish passage in suburban, rural and remote areas of Maine. Tasks include conducting geomorphological and fisheries surveys at and around culverts, coordinating survey sites, field work logistics, site data entry and quality control, photo file management, supervision of volunteers, operating total station survey equipment, ipads and GPS field equipment to and measure physical metrics at survey sites, all in a variety of field conditions. This position will require extensive travel time and overnights.
This is preferably a 21-week full time seasonal position beginning June 4, 2018, however we have some flexibility on start dates and can consider crew members that need slightly shorter assignments.
- Works in a crew of two or more.
- Weekly schedule of (4) 10-hour days with contiguous overnights. May require long hours in isolated settings.
- Requires considerable physical exertion and/or muscular strain.
- May work under infrequent supervision. Makes day to day decisions as delegated by supervisor.
- Supervises no staff, but may help plan and direct preserve work groups, including staff or volunteers.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
- Plans and implements efficient Culvert Monitoring and Crossing Surveys at road crossings following a rigorous data collection protocol.
- Identifies fish of the resident freshwater and diadromous fish species of Maine.
- Manages care, calibration and usage of Total Station equipment and survey gear.
- Collects all necessary field data; completes data entry and photo management using ipads/tablets.
- Maps progress and navigates around Maine watersheds.
- Performs on-site quality control as well as checks of data entry and management.
- Acts as a positive ambassador for The Nature Conservancy working with towns, large private landowners and other natural resource agencies and NGOs.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Proficiency with interpreting maps and aerial photographs to navigate.
- Ability to perform demanding physical work in an outdoor setting.
- Experience entering data and managing data storage and web up/down-loads.
- Must hold a valid US driver’s license with clean driving record and have reliable transportation.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience.
- Bachelor degree and 1– 2 years training in science-related field; field experience.
- Ability to identify common freshwater and diadromous fish species.
- At least one year’s experience collecting and managing field data.
- Ability to perform physical work, sometimes under adverse conditions or in inclement weather.
- Knowledge of, and demonstrated experience using Total Station Survey Equipment to efficiently gather topographic data at field locations.
- CPR and first aid training.
- Ability to read and interpret road and topographic maps, aerial photos, and other sources of mapped information.
- Experience navigating roads in remote locations.
- Experience using ipads/tablets to record data in field; practiced in taking and recording field measurements in diverse field conditions (weather, bugs, flat tires).
- Ability to plan field logistics, including lodging and food for small crews.
- Meticulousness with data entry, quality control and management of files.
- Knowledge and familiarity with Maine geography, natural history, and environmental science.
- Experience with Microsoft Office and Google Docs.