When you apply for this position, please say you saw this job on Green Dream Jobs!!
Description
Under supervision of the Planning Ecologist, initiate and conduct a water quality monitoring project in a sub-watershed of the Shiawassee River drainage in Shiawassee County. The Shiawassee River is a high-priority aquatic conservation site for the Michigan Chapter of TNC, and we are in the initial stages of working towards abating the threats to the aquatic communities of the Shiawassee.
The majority of field duties will be carried out in a sub-watershed of the Shiawassee River just north of Owosso, including two tributaries of the mainstem, with office and lab space available in or near Lansing.
Duties include the collection of data for assessing water quality via biological, habitat, and water chemistry metrics. Specifically, the position entails the sampling of macroinvertebrate communities, water chemistry, and visually assessing aquatic habitat at approximately eight sites in the sub-watershed. This includes conducting field work in agricultural streams under potentially adverse conditions (inclement weather, insects, etc.), properly storing and delivering water quality samples for analysis, and processing benthic macroinvertebrate samples (including taxonomic ID to family level).
Responsibilities also include the management and analysis of data and the generation of summary reports. Duties may also involve outreach and educational efforts geared towards disseminating information about aquatic habitats of the Shiawassee and ecologically friendly land use practices in agricultural communities.
This position will be available pending funding via a grant from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality’s Clean Michigan Initiative - Clean Water Fund.
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:
Bachelor's degree in aquatic ecology or a related field or similar experience. Experience identifying macroinvertebrates (to family), visually assessing river habitats and threats, and obtaining and interpreting water quality samples preferred.
Experience in the use of GPS.
Familiarity with IBM-PC hardware and software, especially Word, Excel, and ArcView preferred.
COMPLEXITY/PROBLEM SOLVING:
Ability to work independently and efficiently with minimum supervision; strong organizational ability; ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, creativity in problem solving.
DISCRETION/LATITUDE/DECISION-MAKING:
Consults with supervisor in event of any unusual circumstance, problem or question that falls outside of specific instructions given.
Make day-to-day decisions as delegated by supervisor.
RESPONSIBILITY/OVERSIGHT –FINANCIAL & SUPERVISORY:
Supervises no staff; no financial responsibility.
COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS:
This position will require the ability to occasionally interact with private landowners as well as cooperate with Conservancy staff, public agency staff, and other experts.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:
Experience performing in-stream field work for extended and irregular periods under adverse conditions and in extreme weather.
Ability and willingness to travel frequently and on short notice. Ability to provide own transportation.
TO APPLY:
Please say you found this position on Green Dream Jobs!
Send cover letter and resume to:
Aquatic Biologist (Seasonal)
The Nature Conservancy
Referred by Green Dream Jobs
2840 East Grand River Ave., Suite 5
East Lansing, MI 48823
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer