Position: Environmental Monitoring Field Technician with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to assist with water quality and biological sampling. Position will be based in Des Moines, IA, with travel statewide. Start date is somewhat flexible, but is expected to begin in April - early May and continue through early October.
Job Description: The principle duty of this position will be to assist IDNR staff with field monitoring activities, including lake water quality sampling, sediment and soil sampling, maintenance of continuous monitoring equipment, stream habitat surveys, stream invertebrate sampling and fish surveys (electro shocking). Other duties will include data compilation and limited GIS data processing. Position is 40 hours per week, but field days may extend beyond 8 hours per day and work schedule may fluctuate throughout the season. Final schedule would be coordinated upon selection and may involve extensive travel and long hours in the field. Work schedule may periodically involve overnight travel. Lodging costs and meal expenses for overnight stays while traveling for work will be reimbursed by the DNR. The position pays $13/hr.
Qualifications: Coursework in biology, fisheries, environmental sciences, or related field is recommended. This position requires the ability to lift 50 pounds and perform physical labor, outdoors, in any type of weather and/or on rugged terrain. Candidate must have a valid driver’s license, have the ability to operate a motor vehicle with a trailer and should also be able to operate an outboard motorboat. Candidate will follow all rules, policies and procedures of the department. Position requires regular attendance, ability to work evenings and weekends when scheduled, or when called upon to do so. Position may require overnight travel when necessary to accomplish the objectives of the research team. The position requires ability to use PC based software at a moderate level (i.e., Word, Excel, Access, Arc Map and various Internet-based programs).
Deadline for application: February 3rd, 2020
Interested applicants can mail, email, or fax resume and references to:
Jason Palmer
Natural Resources Biologist
Watershed Improvement Section
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Wallace State Office Building
502 E. 9th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
(515) 725-8384
Fax: (515) 725 8202
Jason.palmer@dnr.iowa.gov
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is an EEO/AA Employer.
The Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Section of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Iowa DNR) is seeking three summer field sampling technicians. Technicians will earn an hourly of $13.00 per hour. Technicians will have the opportunity to work directly with the Iowa DNR State Park Beach Monitoring and Harmful Algae Bloom programs. The Beach Monitoring program was developed to assess water quality conditions at swimming areas at Iowa DNR managed parks throughout the state to promote the health and safety of beachgoers.
Job Description:
- Prepare for field work, including calibration and maintenance of field equipment
- Travel to beach sites across Iowa (field work will typically occur Mondays through Wednesdays; crews will be back in Des Moines most nights , however, some overnight travel is required)
- Collect samples (using sterile sampling techniques) and field observations for various water quality parameters
- Coordinate daily delivery of water samples to contract lab
- Data entry of collected field data
- Additional tasks as assigned
Applicants must be able to develop a working knowledge of the Iowa DNR Beach monitoring program, Iowa DNR policies, and procedures. Applicants should possess a basic understanding of water quality and monitoring practices and be willing to work long hours in the field under all types of weather conditions. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license, with appointment contingent upon a successful screening of their driving record. Candidates must be able to work outdoors and withstand physically demanding work, including traversing rough terrain and stream banks. Activities include stooping, bending and lifting up to 30 pounds. Applicants will be expected to collect and field analyze water samples from state-owned beaches for much of the week, with the potential to work on other tasks within the Section as time and budget permit. Monitoring will call for extensive travel throughout the state and will require some overnight stays. Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed per State of Iowa travel rules. Successful candidates will be based out of the Wallace State Office Building in Des Moines, Iowa. Preference will be given to applicants that can start by May 11, 2020.
Employees will gain valuable experience in: 1) methods and techniques related to surface water sampling; 2) laboratory techniques used to characterize water quality at State Park Beaches; 3) communicating with the general public and other agencies.
APPLICATION DEADLINE IS February 3rd, 2020
Those seeking full-time seasonal work (30-40 hours per week) are encouraged to apply. Please send a cover letter and resume including names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three references electronically or by mail to:
Daniel Kendall
Beach Monitoring Program Coordinator
502 E. 9th St.
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Office (515) 725-8379
Daniel.Kendall@dnr.iowa.gov
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is an EOE/AA employer.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Section is seeking one summer monitoring assistant. Assistants will work with Iowa DNR biologists to identify, measure, collect, and record various types of biological, chemical and physical data from shallow lakes and wetlands located in Iowa. The objectives of this project are to assess the ecological condition of these systems related to statewide and federal initiatives to understand and improve water quality. Work will be performed primarily from May through August, with potentially flexible start / finish dates. This work will require extensive travel and overnight stays throughout Iowa most of the summer. Pay will be $13 per hour. Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed per State of Iowa travel rules. Successful candidates will be based out of the Wallace State Office Building in Des Moines, Iowa.
Duties will include the following related activities:
- Working in teams to perform rapid site evaluations of wetland and shallow lake sites in Iowa.
- Assisting with the collection and processing of water, sediment and biological samples.
Applicants must:
- Have a good understanding of basic wetland/shallow lake ecology
- Be willing to work as a team.
- Have a valid driver’s license and allow their driving record to be screened upon hiring.
- Be able to use, or learn to use, all equipment related to field sampling work including: 4WD trucks, trailers, ATV and boat operation, canoes, multi-parameter sampling probes, fish nets and any other related hand tools.
- Be able to interpret maps and navigate in a rural landscape.
- Be physically capable of, and willing to work long hours in the field under all types of weather conditions
- Be able to perform moderate physical work such as carrying sampling equipment while walking through marshy areas. Activities include stooping, bending and lifting up to 30 pounds.
Employees will gain valuable work experience in 1) methods and techniques related to wetland/shallow lake sampling, 2) knowledge of wetlands/shallow lakes and the issues that face them, 3) communicating with the public and working in teams, and 4) numerous aquatic/upland wildlife and plants species, as well as wetland/shallow lake fish and invertebrates.
APPLICATION DEADLINE IS February 3th, 2020
To apply, please send a resume that includes the names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three references, and a cover letter with available start and end dates, electronically or by mail to:
Brandon Harland – Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources
502 E. 9th St.
Des Moines, IA 50319
brandon.harland@dnr.iowa.gov
For questions call: (515) 725-8378
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is an EEO/AA EMPLOYER.