Job Type: Permanent
Salary Details: $17-21 / hour
Required Experience: 0 – 1 years

See full job details and application instructions at https://www.conservationjobboard.com/job-listing-research-assistant-forks-washington/1188146252

10KYI is seeking a highly motivated, well- experienced, extremely independent and creative applicant for a full-time (40hrs/week) Research Assistant position. This position’s primary responsibility is to coordinate a multi-year and multi-watershed research and monitoring program investigating the impact of invasive reed canary grass on water quality, flow regime, sediment transport, and vegetative characteristics of Olympic Peninsula streams. This position also supports current Scotch broom research and eDNA monitoring as needed. The results of this study will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed ecological science journals.

  • The Research Assistant (RA) reports to and works closely with 10KYI’s Research Coordinator, Executive Director, Watershed Project Coordinator, and GIS Specialist; and works in partnership with private landowners and staff from government agencies, tribes, and non-profit organizations.
  • This RA is responsible for implementing fieldwork, managing a crew of two or more technicians, communicating plans and results, identifying and working with landowners for access to more study sites, safely transporting personnel and equipment to sites, data management and reporting, and providing presentations, verbal and written updates, and educational outreach materials to the public and partners.
  • 10KYI works in collaboration with federal, state, and local agencies, tribes, and non-profit organizations to implement other applied research and monitoring projects.  These collaborations provide opportunities to network with and learn from peers in the field, and the Research Assistant and team provide support to these projects as opportunities arise.

The ideal individual is self-reliant, likes the rain, and enjoys life in remote rural communities, and exploring on the Olympic Peninsula. 10KYI’s office and operations base is located in the community of Forks, Washington, in close proximity with the wild Washington coast and Olympic National Park.

The RA will be provided a new 4wd truck for project use, and is expected to meet the team and truck at the office in Forks or duty station in Quinault, to the south.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

This position requires excellent observational, communication, organizational, and critical thinking skills, and excellent physical condition for hiking, wading, and working outdoors in all weather conditions.

  • Coordinate, supervise, and implement reed canary grass research following 10KYI and other studies’ best practices, methods, and policies
  • Manage and coordinate research technicians
  • Oversee and direct the activities of the field technicians, including field data collection and data entry
  • Manage and maintain research equipment
  • Maintain calibration and accuracy-check logs for equipment QA/QC
  • Ensure data quality during field operations
  • Perform data entry and reporting using Microsoft Office Suite
  • Summarize data and develop reports on sites and activities
  • Manage equipment and supply, ordering and maintenance
  • Prioritize, supervise and conduct field activities to find, map, measure, and record all variables of interest pertaining to the study in a variety of forested and open riverine and wetland habitats, pastures, gravel mines, and roads
  • Work with GIS staff to develop maps for planning, fieldwork, and reporting
  • Coordinate communication of intended monitoring activities and complete reports of project activities for 10KYI, partners, landowners, land managers, and the public
  • Assist in the development of communication, outreach programs and presentations, and educational materials related to reed canary grass research, resources, and opportunities
  • Work with the executive director and other staff to develop fundable project ideas consistent with 10KYI’s mission

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in ecology, natural sciences, biology, hydrology, or a related field; and three years of experience in ecological fieldwork
  • Expertise in stream monitoring techniques such as stream gaging, temperature monitoring, pebble counts, and vegetation surveys
  • Experience calibrating and troubleshooting stream monitoring equipment such as flow meter and DO meter
  • Experience in study design and set up
  • Experience in data management and analysis
  • Strong written and verbal communications skills
  • Experience communicating with different audiences (e.g., public and scientific,) and interest in collaborating with and coordinating diverse stakeholder groups
  • Strong leadership skills and organizational skills
  • Native and invasive plant identification skills
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
  • Proficiency with  handheld GPS units
  • Ability to work outdoors in inclement weather and carry a 20-pound pack over various terrain
  • Ability to safely operate a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads
  • Comfortable with flexible weekly schedules, which adjust to weather and project needs
  • Team player, committed to working collaboratively with 10KYI staff, crews, and the diverse scope of project partners
  • Ability to navigate and set a bearing using a compass and to read aerial and topographical maps
  • Have a clean driving record and a valid driver’s license
  • Standard First Aid Certification (may be obtained with 10KYI)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (not required):

  • Master’s degree from an accredited institution in stream ecology, natural sciences, biology, hydrology, or a related field and a minimum of one year of related field research
  • Familiarity with the biology, ecology, and local effects of reed canary grass
  • Knowledge of native and invasive plants on the Olympic Peninsula
  • Knowledge of eDNA sampling techniques and procedures
  • Knowledge of Scotch broom biology and ecology
  • Knowledge of restoration techniques such as transplanting saplings and herbicide application
  • A working knowledge of ArcGIS
  • Experience writing grant proposals and supporting program development efforts
  • Standard and/or Wilderness First Aid and CPR

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter, resume, three references, and a short writing sample from a relevant research project, with RESEARCH ASSISTANT in the subject heading, to: jobs@10000yearsinstitute.org.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

*No phone calls, please.