Stream Habitat Assessment Technician

The Alaska Center for Conservation Science at the University of Alaska – Anchorage is hiring two (2) field technicians to help implement the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) lotic Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) sampling. Technicians will sample stream habitat conditions in remote southwestern Alaska and will be required to work in the backcountry for long hours at mainly helicopter-access sites.

Successful applicants must have a high degree of comfort working in difficult conditions, including wading and working in cold, fast-moving water. The AIM sampling initiative aims to collect standardized, quantitative data across the landscape to support land management decisions, including restoration efforts. More information on AIM sampling can be found here: https://www.blm.gov/aim.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Two years relevant college coursework and one year’s experience in a relevant field OR multiple years of experience living or working in the backcountry or rural Alaska – including subsistence hunting and harvesting, guiding, or recreating.
• Positive attitude, work ethic, and willingness to learn.
• Ability to work in harsh weather conditions, with little contact to the outside world for a prolonged period of time.
• High degree of comfort wading in streams – including navigating slick rocks, fast water, cold water, and large obstructions.
• Willingness to work long days (10 – 12h).
• Ability to work closely with 2 – 3 other field technicians for several days at a time with little to no contact with other people.
• Ability to interact and communicate with a variety of stakeholders – community members, recreationalists, hunters, anglers, etc.

Preferred:

• Remote backcountry experience (for example, harvesting, hiking, backpacking, camping, or conducting field work).
• Experience in boreal and arctic ecosystems in general and in Alaska specifically.
• Experience with Bureau of Land Management’s Assessment, Inventory and Monitoring program and/or Survey123 data collection and entry procedures.
• Leadership skills and experience.
• Navigation and orienteering experience.
• Knowledge of stream and river habitats.
• First aid/CPR or WFA/WFR.

Position Details:

This position is located on the University of Alaska Anchorage campus in Anchorage Alaska. Technicians will sample stream ecosystems in southwestern Alaska (the Ahklun and Kilbuck mountains). When not in the field, technicians will be based in Anchorage, AK.

Positions will begin on or before May 12, 2025 and will extend until the middle or end of August. If necessary, end dates can be adjusted to accommodate academic or other calendars.

This is a non-exempt temporary position. New hires will be placed on the Temporary Salary Table , Grade 76. Step is determined based on education and experience with overtime pay as needed and transportation, food, and lodging included for all fieldwork stints.

This is a pooled position, which means that the position remains open over the entire academic year.