Seasonal Stream Habitat Technician

Description

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.

This position will implement the on-the-ground 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 Maine Field Technician and Maine Project Manager and will be responsible for working on a small restoration team to conduct instream habitat improvement and assessment of past work.

The primary function of this team is to restore streams with woody structures through the implementation of strategic wood additions (SWAs). Additional projects may include small dam removal, assessing streams for future wood loading, and documenting the success of past projects. This position requires being comfortable working in uncomfortable conditions. Work can occur in rain, hot, and cold conditions. Generally, the workweek consists of 4, 10‑hour days, with 3 days off.

Multiple positions (2‑3) will be filled, working in conjunction with the full-time technician. Technicians will support or act as sawyers (depending on experience) in safely felling trees. Depending on the structure and design needs, trees may be cut into smaller pieces, moved (with hand tools), pinned with posts utilizing a post pounder, and/or embedded in the bank using a winch setup.

This position is physically strenuous and requires hiking (primarily off trail) with 20‑50lbs of equipment and the ability to lift large logs/shift whole trees with use of hand tools. We are building in stream habitat which requires working within the water/stream channel. Weather conditions, unless unsafe, will not impact the work schedule.

The team will be based in Maine (no office location), with weekly travel throughout the state (mileage reimbursement). Project areas include but are not limited to the Rangeley Lakes region and the Northeast Piscataquis region in Maine with lodging provided during the work week.

The team typically completes a 40‑hour work week in 4 field days, with one day for travel (Monday or Friday).

The position begins in June/July and runs 6‑8 weeks, with the potential for more work.

• Perform all duties with safety as the top priority.
• Work onsite in remote areas with limited or no cell signal for several days each week.
• With appropriate training, use tools (chainsaws, grip hoists, hand tools, pulleys, levers) to place trees into streams to create aquatic habitat.
• Team lift/carry felled trees or move them with rock bars within the stream channel.
• Utilize a post pounder to drive posts that will pin wood in specific configurations within the stream channel.
• Transport field equipment to and from project sites.
• Operate hand‑powered equipment (e.g. winches, axes, rock bars, etc.).
• Conduct stream habitat assessment and/or culvert assessments.
• Collect data with a provided phone and collection application for current and all past project sites.

This is not an all‑inclusive list of duties and responsibilities.

• Saw experience (specifically with directional felling) or sawyer training.
• Familiarity with hand tools (e.g. axes, shovels, chainsaws, etc.).
• Ability to hike & carry heavy gear (up to 50lbs) through rough terrain off‑trail.
• Familiarity with data collection/navigation applications.
• Ability and willingness to travel.
• Valid driver’s license and own vehicle required.
• Ability to work with others on a…