NRRI Aquatic Ecology Summer Field Technician

Researchers in the Water Research Group at the Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth, are hiring 2-4 aquatic ecology summer field technicians. The primary role of these positions is to provide summer field support for several projects. These include investigating the condition of Great Lakes coastal wetlands using fish and aquatic macroinvertebrates, assessing invasive mystery snail populations and effects in Minnesota lakes, sampling temporary ponds in a national forest, and investigating the effects of invasive crack willow trees on stream ecosystems in the Duluth MN area. Field technicians will work with a team of 2-4 individuals to conduct research by boat, hiking overland, wading, or snorkeling. This work may require overnight travel from mid-June through August on trips lasting 5-8 days. Crews can expect to travel anywhere from Green Bay, WI to Keweenaw Peninsula, MI as well as across much of the northern part of Minnesota. Local work in the Duluth area will also be taking place June-September. Transportation, lodging, and a meal allowance is provided during travel away from Duluth. When crews are working around Duluth on a standard work schedule (M-F) and on days off, crew members are responsible for their own transportation, housing, and food. This appointment will last until crew members need to return to classes or until the work is completed (typically into September) but will not extend past November 15, 2026.

Technicians will receive considerable safety and project training before field excursions, including boat handling and trailering training. UMD, NRRI, and project orientation in-person and online training will start at the end of May. New employees will have opportunities to practice boat trailering and field safety skills at NRRI before the first field excursion. Field training will cover basic boat operation, boat trailering, water safety, handling and identifying fish and invasive species, macroinvertebrate sampling, and collecting and processing water quality samples.

NRRI will provide personal protection equipment (PPE) for field work such as waders, life jackets, basic rain gear, eye and hand protection, sunscreen, bug spray, hand sanitizer, head nets, etc. Employees are responsible for procuring their own field-appropriate clothing, insulated lunchbox, day pack, water bottles, and kit of anything needed for a long day of fieldwork (e.g., SPF lip balm, medicines, lunches/snacks). When crews are working around Duluth on a standard work schedule, and on days off, crew are responsible for their own transportation, housing, and food. All applicants must be able to travel on 5-8-day overnight field trips this summer. Strong applicants will also have a background in boating, fish identification, first aid, outdoor skills, ability to swim and snorkel, and a demonstrated ability to learn new skills and work cooperatively on a team. However, applicants do not need to have all of these skills to be competitive. The primary qualification is willingness to work long field days outside in all kinds of weather.

Job Duties

• (75% time) Field sampling and travel. Technicians will document fish, aquatic macroinvertebrates, habitat, aquatic vegetation, and water quality in Great Lakes coastal wetlands and tributaries of Lake Superior; sample temporary ponds; sample aquatic invertebrates and habitat in inland lakes and streams; conduct snorkel surveys in lakes, and other similar duties. Field technicians must be capable of hiking all day in wadable streams and through trail-less forested areas, should be able to swim, and must be able to work cooperatively in small groups during extended overnight travel during all types of weather.
• (10% time) Organizing field equipment, preparing/packing for field trips, reporting on sample collection activities
• (10% time) Processing invertebrate or water quality samples in the laboratory
• (5% time) Using computer and GPS to navigate to sampling sites and manage field data

Physical/Environmental Demands

• Office environment / no specific or unusual physical or environmental demands.
• Physical ability to work long hours outdoors, sometimes in inclement weather, and carry heavy equipment over uneven terrain.

Required Qualifications

• High school graduation or the equivalent with some science courses and laboratory experience. Equivalent combination of relevant academic and work experience may be substituted.
• Valid driver's license and clean driving record (absolutely no moving violations; any offer of employment is contingent upon passing a motor vehicle background check).
• When assigned to work in the Duluth area, must have daily transportation to and from NRRI facility and have or obtain housing in the Duluth, MN area.
• Ability to communicate and work closely with team members in both a laboratory and outdoor setting.
• Physical ability to work long hours outdoors, sometimes in inclement weather, and carry heavy equipment over uneven terrain.
• Must be able to travel away from the Duluth, MN area for fieldwork throughout the summer on 5-8-day field trips.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preference for spending time outdoors
• Experience sampling and identifying fish, invertebrates, aquatic vegetation and/or collecting water samples.
• Experience working in streams, lakes, wetlands or peatlands.
• Classwork in biology, ecology, limnology, or similar.
• Boating and trailering experience; have a Boaters Safety Certificate.
• Strong swimming skills; experience snorkeling
• Strong communication skills, positive attitude, experience working on a team.
• Computer skills performing data entry and Excel spreadsheet management.
• Familiarity using handheld GPS, compass, and reading topographical maps.
• Mechanical aptitude: e.g., changing vehicle and trailer tires, troubleshooting boat motors and other equipment, performing routine maintenance of vehicles, trailers, boats, and motors.

We encourage applications from those who do not have all the preferred qualifications.

The Natural Resources Research Institute was established by the Minnesota legislature in 1983 as an applied science and engineering research organization to inform state citizens and decision-makers while leveraging the power of the University of Minnesota. NRRI is guided by the forward-looking charter provided by the Legislature to foster the economic development of Minnesota's natural resources in an environmentally sound manner to promote private sector employment.

NRRI's mission is to deliver integrated research solutions that value our resources, environment and economy for a sustainable and resilient future. We are a mission-driven, project-focused team working to create opportunities for natural resource stewardship.
With industrial-scale facilities in Duluth and Coleraine, MN, NRRI works across five strategic research platforms.

These platforms address Minnesota's soil, forest, water and mineral resources:

Applied Ecology and Resource Management
Minerals and Metallurgy
Materials and Bioeconomy
Data Collection and Delivery
Commercialization Services

Pay Range: $22.39 per hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience.

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. Learn more about retirement plans.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

You are required to attach a cover letter and resume to be considered for this position.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD)

The University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD) consistently ranks among the top Midwestern, regional universities in U.S. News and World Report's "America's Best Colleges" issue.

Overlooking Lake Superior, UMD provides an alternative to both large research and small liberal arts environments and attracts students looking for a personalized learning experience on a medium-sized campus of a major university. A firm liberal arts foundation anchors a variety of traditional degree programs, as well as professional and graduate students that draw on UMD's many research institutes and labs.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).