Aquatic Biologist (seasonal): Northern Minnesota streams (fish, macroinvertebrates)

BIOMONITORING TECHNICIAN (STREAM FISH AND MACROINVERTEBRATES)

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

North Biological Monitoring Unit

Brainerd, MN

We are looking for biologists to lead and assist with aquatic biomonitoring surveys on rivers and streams in northern Minnesota, during the summer and early fall of 2020.

Job duties include:

Lead a crew of 1-4 students to sample approximately 50 stream biomonitoring sites for fish, invertebrates, habitat measurements, and water chemistry in order to assess water quality and habitat conditions.

Help maintain field equipment, train students, and keep field records. Enter and manage data on Agency computers; Calculate summary data for each monitoring site and conduct QA/QC. Assist in conducting preassessment reviews of data.

Preferred qualifications include:

Field experience sampling fish, invertebrates using MPCA standard operating procedures Course work in ichthyology, fisheries science, aquatic invertebrates, water chemistry or habitat.

Leadership experience in prior work, civic or school projects Familiarity with biological indicators of water quality Experience with statistical packages and graphics Experience and or course work using GPS and or GIS equipment and software

The position requires extensive travel across northern Minnesota and the willingness to stay overnight (in motels) for up to three nights per week. The work may be carried out in remote areas, in inclement weather, and can be physically-demanding at times.  Candidates should be able to work well with others in small- and medium-sized field crews.

Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in water related science or environmental protection, or related field. OR a technical environmental degree (e.g., Natural Resources Technology A.A.S.) AND one year of technical/professional-level environmental protection experience; OR two years of technical/professional-level environmental protection experience. Applicants must pass a fish identification test and possess a valid driver’s license.

Pay rate:

$19.90 – $28.78/hourly

Motel lodging provided during work week, plus meal expense reimbursement.

Work hours are typically Monday-Thursday 10 hours per day with overnight travel.

Start/End Dates:

May through September, 2020

Location:

The position will be based in Brainerd, but will require extensive travel throughout northern Minnesota.  Brainerd is located just north of the geographical center of Minnesota.

To Apply:

Full position description and online application instructions are available via the State of Minnesota Careers website:

https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mn.gov%2Fcareers&data=02%7C01%7Cmadeline.hennessey%40uconn.edu%7C29a82f5abb62435bb69308d78923063f%7C17f1a87e2a254eaab9df9d439034b080%7C0%7C0%7C637128655841047657&sdata=578osMwu%2FABLUGL0EfpHmEt1AJ7FZNqtmNtIjE182Lc%3D&reserved=0  Job ID: 36683

Applications accepted through January  13, 2020.