Field Technician- Full Time - New York

ABOUT TROUT UNLIMITED

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 bring together diverse interests to care for and recover rivers and streams so our children can experience the joy of wild and native trout and salmon. 

Trout Unlimited recruits, employs, trains, compensates and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law.

POSITION SUMMARY

This position will support TU staff on field related operations while also collaborating with federal, state, and NGO partners across the region to restore aquatic connectivity, develop instream habitat, and promote the long-term values associated with aquatic restoration. Projects will include road crossing assessments, restoration designs, permitting, large wood installations, construction oversight, and monitoring of restoration projects on both public and private lands. This position is full-time with benefits and will be based in New York with travel to project sites across the region (CT, VT, MA as needed).

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist with culvert assessments using the North Atlantic Aquatic
• Connectivity Collaborative (NAACC) protocol.
• Assist with watershed survey activities and data collection including, stream morphology, habitat, temperature monitoring and fish population assessments. 
• Assist with project implementation, maintenance and construction oversight as needed to support the team.
• 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. 
• Oversee seasonal field team with 2-4 seasonal staff with a high degree of coordination and communication.
• Work as a team with a high degree of coordination and communication.
• Keep a positive attitude and follow directions while conducting physically demanding work, often in inclement weather.
• Maintain equipment and inventory; report maintenance/equipment needs to supervisor. 
• Provide assistance with preparing permits and maps, as well as data input and database maintenance.
• Additional duties in support of the watershed program may be required and include, but are not limited to: volunteer and citizen science event coordinating, tree planting, community meetings and presentations and education/outreach activities.
• Maintain a high level of integrity while on the job.

Requirements

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A minimum of a B.S. in environmental science, fisheries biology, forestry, or related discipline or commensurate field experience. 
• Demonstrable experience with physically demanding work. 
• Experience assessing culverts and managing data and field equipment.
• Experience surveying and managing restoration construction projects.
• Own personal vehicle that can be used for extensive work travel. TU offers mileage reimbursement  for personal vehicle usage; 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 watershed health and function.
• A strong passion for native fishes and the watersheds upon which they rely.
• 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.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs, GoogleEarth, and ArcGIS desirable.
• Knowledge of basic mechanical repair.

COMPENSATION

This is a full-time position with a generous benefits package. The position pay range is $40,000-$43,000.

Travel away from the team’s home base may be provided by or reimbursed by TU. It will be necessary for the chosen applicant to relocate to the team’s home base or be within driving distance to the location. Travel to and from home base will not be included in the reimbursement strategy.

Staff and leadership at TU understand that life outside of work is important to personal health, and we strive to create a healthy and family-friendly atmosphere. This is a full-time position with a generous benefits package.

At TU, we value a diverse representation of staff, and we actively seek candidates for this position who come from communities that have been historically under-represented in conservation and those who have been most impacted by degraded rivers and streams. We are committed to building space for all people to participate in our work to care for trout and salmon and clean our shared waters. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome you to read more about TU’s equity practice and values https://www.tu.org/equity/.

https://www.tu.org/about/jobs-and-internships/