New Hampshire Seasonal Stream Habitat Technician

ABOUT TROUT UNLIMITED

Trout Unlimited is a national organization with 300,000 members and supporters organized into over 400 chapters and councils nationwide. These dedicated grassroots volunteers are matched by a respected staff of organizers, lawyers, policy experts, and scientists, who work out of more than 45 offices across the country. Our mission is to bring together diverse interests to care for and recover rivers and streams so our children can experience the joy of wild and native trout and salmon.

Trout Unlimited recruits, employs, trains, compensates and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law.

POSITION SUMMARY

Projects implemented within this position will provide multiple benefits to cold-water fisheries and local communities including flood resiliency, improvement of aquatic habitat and water quality, and protection of aquatic health and biodiversity.

The stream habitat technician will report directly to the project manager and will be responsible for working on a team to conduct road/stream crossing assessments throughout Coos County, New Hampshire. Technicians will be required to complete certification training for stream crossing assessments held by the New Hampshire Stream Crossing Initiative (NHSCI), hosted by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES); this training us usually held in the month of May. Technicians will work in teams of two to conduct stream crossing assessments following the Statewide Asset Data Exchange System (SADES) protocol. Collected crossing data will be uploaded to the SADES database each day, for analysis and scoring.

Additional work may include instream habitat improvement with woody structures through the implementation of strategic wood additions (SWA), assessing streams for future SWA, monitoring/documenting the status of past projects, and aquatic organism passage (AOP) projects.

Multiple positions (2-4) will be filled to support this work. The team will be based in New Hampshire with weekly travel throughout the state, primarily the NH north country . This position generally begins in late May and ends in October with some flexibility for additional work if desired/available.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Working onsite in remote areas for several days each week in variable weather conditions.
• Conducting stream crossing assessments and habitat assessments for future projects.
• Conducting monitoring and assessments of previously completed projects (AOP, SWA, etc.).
• Safety: always maintain a safe work environment for yourself and crew members.
• Transport of field equipment to and from project sites.
• Operation of hand-powered equipment (e.g. winches, axes, etc.).
• Assisting with topographic surveys of project sites.
• This is a non-supervisory position.
• This position does not have budget management responsibilities.

Benefits

• Pay will be $14-18/hr based on qualifications.
• Up to 40-hour work week.
• Mileage reimbursement for travel to and from sites each week (if using personal vehicle).
• Potential to receive CPR/first aid training.

• A degree, or pursuing a degree, in environmental science or related field.
• Ability to work with others on a small team.
• Familiarity with data collection/navigation applications (Avenza, ESRI Field Maps, Survey123, Gaia)
• Ability to work within the active stream channel on uneven and slippery terrain.
• Ability to work in adverse weather conditions.
• Knowledge of natural stream design techniques.
• Ability to hike & carry heavy gear (up to 50lbs.) through rough terrain.
• Ability and willingness to travel long distances. Valid driver’s license and own vehicle required.
• Familiarity with using & maintaining hand tools (e.g. axes, shovels, chainsaws, etc.).
• Experience in the field during tree felling and/or trail building.
• CPR and First Aid training (preferred).
• Ability to problem solve and think creatively to achieve a conservation mission.
• Passion for protecting and restoring trout populations and their watersheds.