Seasonal Field Tech Scientist – OR

We have a current opening for a seasonal scientist tech position based out of our Hood River, Oregon office. This position is available in an hourly, part time on call capacity to support fieldwork and data processing from July – December 2024.

How to Apply

If you would like to apply, please submit a Resume and Cover Letter via email to [email protected] and include ‘Seasonal Scientist’ in the subject line.

Firm Description

Since 1984, Inter-Fluve has been a leading water resources science and engineering firm specializing in river restoration. We have worked across the United States and internationally on projects that include dam removal, aquatic habitat restoration, wetlands assessment, floodplain restoration, watershed analysis, estuary restoration, and other water-related projects.

Our dedicated team of professionals share their passion for nature through their service to our clients. We apply a broad range of science and engineering skills to investigate and design restoration, enhancement, and recovery solutions for degraded riverine, wetland, estuarine and lake environments. Throughout our history, our company’s focus has always been to collaborate, explore, question, and advance our craft.

Visit our website to learn more about our story at www.interfluve.com.

Position Description

We are seeking a part time on call seasonal staff scientist with experience and interest in aquatic habitat field survey and data processing. This position will be overtime eligible. The ideal candidate will have experience and education in a core discipline relevant to water resources restoration such as fisheries biology, stream ecology, aquatic habitat biology, watershed hydrology, Ecology, or fluvial geomorphology. The candidate should have an understanding of river and riparian processes, be able to assist with in-river habitat surveys (USFS Level II), competence with detailed data collection, and data analysis. Habitat surveys are often multi-day efforts that are physically demanding and in mixed weather conditions.

Location: Hood River, OR
Work Schedule

This position will require frequent travel. Approximately 80% of the work for this position will be field based. Longer field days and/or an inconsistent work schedule will be required.

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in a core water resources discipline (biology, fisheries, ecology, geomorphology, hydrology).
  • Relevant course work (i.e. fisheries, geomorphology, hydrology) or 1+ year of work experience.
  • Attention to detail and careful data-collection.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Passion for aquatic ecosystem science and for restoration of aquatic systems.
  • Demonstrated experience working effectively both as part of a team and independently.
  • Experience with scientific field surveys and mapping including habitat conditions measurements (depth, width, sediment, large wood counts, etc.), detailed data-entry (iPad or otherwise), photo logging, GPS, equipment hauling, and safety.
  • Ability to work outdoors in adverse conditions across a variety of terrains and in/up rivers.
  • Ability to travel for projects for up to 7 days at a time.
  • Ability to practice self-reflection and continually seeks to advance communication skills.
  • Desire to work as a team and consider safety in the field.
  • Commitment to equity and inclusion.
Additional Desired Qualifications
  • Bachelors or Master’s degree and/or comparable experience strongly preferred.
  • Experience with topographic or bathymetric surveying including with GPS RTK, Total Station, sonar, or UAV-based methods.
  • Experience with analytical software packages including GIS, CAD, Hec-Ras, R, others.
  • Awareness and interest of issues of the environment from a non-white perspective (for example, Indigenous, Black, and/or Latinx relationships to water and place.)
Essential Duties

Essential duties may vary depending on the study site(s) but are expected to include the following:

  • Learn and complete USFS Levell II habitat stream surveys on multiple tributary rivers located in the Columbia River Basin of Washington.
  • Post-process and analyze the collected stream survey data in a timely manner for inclusion in river assessment reports.
  • Comparison of past survey results to newly-collected results.
  • Draft narrative sections of the assessment reports related to the habitat survey data.
  • Research and compile historical and current conditions of study sites.
  • Effectively manage workload to meet deadlines.
  • Work as a team in the field to complete the tasks and maintain safety.
  • Participate in performance feedback discussions and receive feedback.
  • Timely completion of timesheets and turning in expenses.
Benefits & Additional Information

Part time on call staff are eligible to accrue up to 40 hours of paid time off (PTO) per year, at a rate of 1 hour for every 30 hours worked. PTO may not be taken until after 30 days of employment and staff are not paid for any unused PTO upon separation from employment. Most staff are eligible to join our company 401k plan.

The pay for this position will be $25 per hour worked and is eligible for overtime pay.

This position will remain open until filled.

Inter-Fluve is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, neurodiversity, disability, age, veteran status, or any other aspect which makes them unique. All inquiries will be handled confidentially.