JOB TITLE: Freshwater Mussel Technician
LOCATION: Based in Oregon, majority of work sites located in central Oregon, with additional travel to sites in Washington state.
COMPENSATION: $16.85 – $22.00 per hour, commensurate with experience.
JOB TERM: Start date of approximately June 1. Term of employment is up to 5 months after the expected start date.
STATUS: Hourly non-exempt, seasonal position, scheduled to work approx. 40-50 hours/week, M-F but occasionally on a weekend if necessary.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 6, 2021
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
All applications must be submitted via our application website at: http://bit.ly/xerces-jobs.
Xerces provides accommodations for the job application process if needed. If you need an accommodation to complete the job application process, please email reasonable.accomodation@xerces.org.

JOIN US!
Come join a team of conservation professionals at the Xerces Society who are dedicated to protecting some of the world’s most important animals. We are seeking an experienced, temporary, full-time technician level position to support our freshwater mussel conservation program and assist with mussel sampling and data analysis during the Spring-Fall 2021 field season in Oregon and Washington.
At Xerces, we work to protect rare and endangered species and their habitat. Our methods focus on habitat conservation planning, education, scientific analysis, advocacy, and applied research to conserve invertebrates, such as bees, butterflies, mollusks, and fireflies.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING:
The position will consist mainly (95%) of conducting fieldwork in rivers and streams throughout Oregon and Washington, which will require the employee to drive a vehicle from their location to field sites. The majority of field sites are located in central Oregon.

Duties will be primarily focused on surveying for freshwater mussels in central Oregon, with additional duties to support research and conservation efforts elsewhere in Oregon and Washington. Data collection will require snorkeling and wading in order to conduct visual and tactile surveys for freshwater mussels. The position will report the Xerces Society’s Freshwater Mussel Program Lead (Portland, OR office) and work in collaboration with other Endangered Species team staff and federal, tribal, and state land management and wildlife agencies.

The successful candidate must have prior experience snorkeling and be able to swim, carry 30 pounds using a backpack, walk over uneven terrain, and be comfortable working long hours in the field as part of a team. Prior experience collecting and identifying freshwater mussels, paddling boats such as kayaks,
canoes, or rafts, and driving unimproved roads is preferred. Applicants with SCUBA, wilderness first aid, and/or swift-water rescue certifications preferred. Successful candidates will also be required to pass an in-water safety training upon hiring.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Working as a team with the Xerces Society Endangered Species Program staff, the person who fills this position will:

• Assist with and/or lead fieldwork in a crew of 2-4 people.
• Conduct surveys for freshwater mussels, either by snorkeling, wading, or boating in rivers and streams of variable sizes.
• Complete in-water safety training.
• Collect, record, and report data from paper forms and field notes, including completing data entry using MS Excel.
• Communicate with public land managers about the project and coordinate survey access, and work respectfully with private landowners and public agency staff while surveying on or near their property.
• Hike off-trail up to 2 miles through dense vegetation or on steep slopes if necessary to access sites.
• Participate in multi-day overnight travel and camping at remote field sites Monday through Friday during the period of employment.
• Navigate and drive to field sites on unimproved roads and through use of a GPS unit or mapping application.
• Follow all applicable Xerces Society policies, including those related to overnight and remote fieldwork and in-water fieldwork.
• Follow COVID-19 safety protocols, including mandatory social distancing and wearing a mask when interacting with public and staff.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE:
REQUIRED

• Experience conducting aquatic fieldwork in remote locations.
• Prior field experience snorkeling.
• Ability and willingness to work collaboratively with other Xerces Society staff members and with a wide variety of partners, stakeholders, and diverse teams and constituents in a respectful, equitable, and inclusive fashion.
• Working knowledge of common software applications (e.g., Word and Excel).
• Ability to work in inclement conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and biting or stinging insects.
• Ability to follow policies that promote a safe working environment, including making informed, collaborative judgement calls in changing environments.
• Follow oral and written directions and perform routine and repetitive work in a punctual, organized, and dependable manner.
• Maintain a professional relationship with coworkers, landowners, and collaborators.
• Safely operate non-motorized watercraft in flowing water.

PREFERRED

• Prior experience with paddling and navigating a boat, such as a kayak, canoe, or raft
• Previous mussel survey and species identification experience (training will also be provided
  to the successful candidate).
• Familiarity with ArcGIS mapping software and experience navigating and using a GPS unit.

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED

• A two-year degree in fisheries, wildlife biology, biology, natural resource management,
  ecology, entomology, or similar
• OR a high school diploma/GED and two years’ experience in a technician role or similar
  employment (please describe in your application).
• Valid driver’s license and good driving record.

PREFERRED

• SCUBA, wilderness first aid, swift-water rescue certifications.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to swim in open and flowing water;
• Conduct fieldwork in flowing water, utilizing snorkeling equipment and techniques;
• Successfully complete an in-water safety training, including a swim test;
• Move and transport supplies, materials, and equipment weighing up to 30 lbs using a backpack
  for distances up to 2 miles;
• Work outdoors in the field, including in water, for 8-10 hours per day under potentially adverse
  weather or field conditions;
• Ability to hike off-trail up to 2 miles through dense vegetation or on steep slopes if necessary to
  access sites;
• Able to paddle a boat such as kayaks, canoes, or rafts;
• Willingness and availability for multi-day overnight travel and camping at remote field sites
  Monday through Friday during the period of employment;
• Frequently traverse across uneven, slippery or rough terrain, slopes, rangeland, agricultural
  roads and fields, unpaved roads and walkways, and unimproved trails for periods of 8-10 hours;
• Drive a vehicle for periods of up to 8 hours;
• Operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a telephone, copy
  machine, and computer printer for periods of 1-8 hours.

BENEFITS: This temporary position is eligible for Paid Time Off benefits, but not for health or disability insurance benefits.

TERMS: The Xerces Society is an at-will employer. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to
complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

MORE INFORMATION: For more information on the Xerces Society and our programs, please see our
website: www.xerces.org.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
All applications must be submitted via our application website at: http://bit.ly/xerces-jobs.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The Xerces Society is proud to be Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer including disability and veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected
veteran.

PRIORITY REFERRAL OF PROTECTED VETERANS
We request priority referral of protected veterans for all openings with our organization. In order to be considered for employment, all applicants for employment with Xerces Society, apply through our Job Board. When referring or being referred as a candidate, including protected veterans, please refer them
to this applicant site; https://xerces.org/job-opportunities.