What are the responsibilities and job description for the Beneficial Use Reconnaissance Program (BURP) position at State of Idaho?
Description
State of Idaho Opportunity
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
Applications will be accepted through 4:59 PM MST on the posting end date.
State of Idaho Employees:When searching for a new career within the state, browse and apply through Luma Opportunities. Applying through the State External Career website will cause duplicate profiles and will slow the processing of your application for a new job. Internal candidates should always use Luma Opportunities.
Position
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is hiring 18 technicians total, 3 based out of each of our six regional offices, to perform Beneficial Use Reconnaissance Program (BURP) rapid bioassessment surveys. Successful candidates will work well on a small team and be able to cultivate a positive attitude while camping and working outside in various conditions. Crews will conduct electrofishing surveys, identify native fish species, collect aquatic insects, measure stream flow, take qualitative measurements at stream transects, and investigate near stream and instream aquatic habitat quality. Learn more about the data collected at past BURP sites
Application Period: 2/1/2025 - 2/28/2025
Salary: $15.00 Hourly Salary up to an additional $55/day per diem when in the field.
Employment Type: Temporary, full-time appointments without benefits.
Employment Dates: 6/9/2025 - August/September 2025
Interested applicants should submit a resume describing relevant education and experience.
To be considered for BURP crews in multiple regions, apply to each region’s vacancy announcement. Boise Region: Beneficial Use Reconnaissance Program (BURP) in Boise, Idaho, United States Twin Falls Region: Beneficial Use Reconnaissance Program (BURP) in Twin Falls, Idaho, United States Pocatello Region: Beneficial Use Reconnaissance Program (BURP) in Pocatello, Idaho, United States Idaho Falls Region: Beneficial Use Reconnaissance Program Technician (BURP) in Idaho Falls, Idaho, United States Lewiston Region: Beneficial Use Reconnaissance Program (BURP) in Lewiston, Idaho, United States Coeur d’Alene Region: Beneficial Use Reconnaissance Program (BURP) in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, United States
Responsibilities
BURP team members survey wadeable streams throughout their designated regional boundaries. All BURP team members are trained on standardized protocols at a week-long field camp held at the end of June. Incumbents also travel to Boise to participate in Wilderness First Aid certification before beginning the field season.
It is preferred that applicants have or are working towards a BS in Natural Resources (or related field) or have equivalent job experience and training. The ideal applicant would have past experience performing water quality monitoring activities and working outdoors in variable weather conditions. Incumbents can typically expect to work overtime and will camp at developed or undeveloped campgrounds up to four nights a week. Applicants must understand that they may have minimal/no cell service for days at a time and be able to accommodate a flexible schedule. Applicants should be comfortable handling living and dead fish and will be required to voucher some specimens in the field. Experience driving 4x4 vehicles in a backcountry setting and using navigational tools to locate sites is considered a plus and should be clearly outlined in a resume or cover letter.
Supplemental Information
DEQ Provides:
The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.
The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact (208) 334-2263 (TTY/TTD: 711), or email ada.coordinator@dhr.idaho.gov.
Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.
About Idaho Department Of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
DEQ is a state department created by the Idaho Environmental Protection and Health Act to ensure clean air, water, and land in the state and protect Idaho citizens from the adverse health impacts of pollution. As a regulatory agency, DEQ enforces various state environmental regulations and administers a number of federal environmental protection laws including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. The agency is committed to working in partnership with local communities, businesses, and citizens to identify and implement cost-effective environmental solutions.
The Department of Environmental Quality may conduct verification of the information provided in your application, including validation of driver's license status, education, employment, and criminal history. Omission and/or falsification of information provided in your application will result in your removal from consideration for employment, appointment, or promotion.
To protect human health and the quality of
Idaho's air, land, and water. www.deq.idaho.gov
If you have questions, please contact us at: Email: recruitment@deq.idaho.gov
Phone: (208) 373-0333
State of Idaho Opportunity
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
Applications will be accepted through 4:59 PM MST on the posting end date.
State of Idaho Employees:When searching for a new career within the state, browse and apply through Luma Opportunities. Applying through the State External Career website will cause duplicate profiles and will slow the processing of your application for a new job. Internal candidates should always use Luma Opportunities.
Position
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is hiring 18 technicians total, 3 based out of each of our six regional offices, to perform Beneficial Use Reconnaissance Program (BURP) rapid bioassessment surveys. Successful candidates will work well on a small team and be able to cultivate a positive attitude while camping and working outside in various conditions. Crews will conduct electrofishing surveys, identify native fish species, collect aquatic insects, measure stream flow, take qualitative measurements at stream transects, and investigate near stream and instream aquatic habitat quality. Learn more about the data collected at past BURP sites
Application Period: 2/1/2025 - 2/28/2025
Salary: $15.00 Hourly Salary up to an additional $55/day per diem when in the field.
Employment Type: Temporary, full-time appointments without benefits.
Employment Dates: 6/9/2025 - August/September 2025
Interested applicants should submit a resume describing relevant education and experience.
To be considered for BURP crews in multiple regions, apply to each region’s vacancy announcement. Boise Region: Beneficial Use Reconnaissance Program (BURP) in Boise, Idaho, United States Twin Falls Region: Beneficial Use Reconnaissance Program (BURP) in Twin Falls, Idaho, United States Pocatello Region: Beneficial Use Reconnaissance Program (BURP) in Pocatello, Idaho, United States Idaho Falls Region: Beneficial Use Reconnaissance Program Technician (BURP) in Idaho Falls, Idaho, United States Lewiston Region: Beneficial Use Reconnaissance Program (BURP) in Lewiston, Idaho, United States Coeur d’Alene Region: Beneficial Use Reconnaissance Program (BURP) in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, United States
Responsibilities
BURP team members survey wadeable streams throughout their designated regional boundaries. All BURP team members are trained on standardized protocols at a week-long field camp held at the end of June. Incumbents also travel to Boise to participate in Wilderness First Aid certification before beginning the field season.
- Travel throughout the region to collect stream data and monitor water quality.
- Perform qualitative habitat surveys.
- Sample fish and aquatic insect populations.
- Operate and maintain sampling equipment.
- Record and manage field data on rugged tablets.
- Ensure safe and professional conduct while on duty.
- Work and camp at remote locations for three or more nights per week and furnish own camping equipment.
- Possession of a valid driver's license.
- Ability to work during exposure to inclement weather.
- Incumbents must be able to walk over rough terrain while lifting/packing up to 50 pounds, to safely navigate wadeable streams in hip boots and waders, and to walk up to eight miles a day along stream banks and trails.
- Ability to work June – early September 2025 (end date flexible for students)
It is preferred that applicants have or are working towards a BS in Natural Resources (or related field) or have equivalent job experience and training. The ideal applicant would have past experience performing water quality monitoring activities and working outdoors in variable weather conditions. Incumbents can typically expect to work overtime and will camp at developed or undeveloped campgrounds up to four nights a week. Applicants must understand that they may have minimal/no cell service for days at a time and be able to accommodate a flexible schedule. Applicants should be comfortable handling living and dead fish and will be required to voucher some specimens in the field. Experience driving 4x4 vehicles in a backcountry setting and using navigational tools to locate sites is considered a plus and should be clearly outlined in a resume or cover letter.
Supplemental Information
DEQ Provides:
- Transportation between regional office location and field sites
- Hourly salary and field day per diem
- Monitoring equipment and protocol training
- Wilderness First Aid training
- Camp cooking gear
- Transportation between home and regional office location
- Camping gear/equipment
- Housing
- Meals
The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.
The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact (208) 334-2263 (TTY/TTD: 711), or email ada.coordinator@dhr.idaho.gov.
Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.
About Idaho Department Of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
DEQ is a state department created by the Idaho Environmental Protection and Health Act to ensure clean air, water, and land in the state and protect Idaho citizens from the adverse health impacts of pollution. As a regulatory agency, DEQ enforces various state environmental regulations and administers a number of federal environmental protection laws including the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. The agency is committed to working in partnership with local communities, businesses, and citizens to identify and implement cost-effective environmental solutions.
The Department of Environmental Quality may conduct verification of the information provided in your application, including validation of driver's license status, education, employment, and criminal history. Omission and/or falsification of information provided in your application will result in your removal from consideration for employment, appointment, or promotion.
To protect human health and the quality of
Idaho's air, land, and water. www.deq.idaho.gov
If you have questions, please contact us at: Email: recruitment@deq.idaho.gov
Phone: (208) 373-0333
Salary : $15 - $55
