Aquatic Invertebrate Program Assistant

Requisition Id: 3483 

Hourly Pay Rate: $19.45

Hourly Pay Grade: H6 

Expected Work Schedule: 8:00am-5:00pm Monday-Friday. Occasional field travel required.

Job Location:  Central Reg Office & Research Ctr (COLUM2) 

Closing Date: October 4, 2024

Our Culture: The Missouri Department of Conservation supports a culture of trusted professionals that is dedicated to our mission, responsible stewards, and believe in One MDC. 

To learn more about this exciting opportunity, please email the hiring supervisor, ​Cheyenne E L Stratton , at Cheyenne.Stratton@mdc.mo.gov or call 573 8157901 , Monday through Friday 8am - 5pm.

Summary/Objective

This position will assist MDC's Aquatic Invertebrate Program with ongoing research and monitoring of Missouri's crayfish and other aquatic invertebrates. Job duties will primarily be related to the collection, management, and reporting of biological data. Please upload a cover letter, resume, and three references to be considered for this position. 

Essential Job Duties

• Conduct research on crayfish and aquatic invertebrate populations by collecting information, processing samples, analyzing data, and providing this information to stakeholders in written and oral forms.
• Serve as crew leader for field activities and coordinate sampling and data collection. 
• Coordinate and train technicians in the identification of crayfish and other aquatic invertebrates and sampling methods; collection of habitat and water quality data; genetic sample acquisition; and gear maintenance. 
• Maintain the accuracy and availability to information in various databases.
• Provide scientific technical support to researchers, students, managers, administrators, educators, and protection staff.
• Perform general maintenance on tools and equipment.
• Correspond with stakeholders via email, telephone, and in-person discussion.
• Duties will include work in the field, laboratory, and office. 
• Occasional field trips and overnight travel are required. 

Ancillary Job Duties

• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife Science, Fisheries, Biological Sciences, or related field.
• One or more years of field season experience with fish and aquatic macroinvertebrate sampling, taxonomic identification and laboratory processing of samples is highly desirable.
• Must maintain a valid, current driver’s license.
• Ability to pass an approved boating safety course and obtain a Missouri Boating Safety Certification Card within 6 months of employment.
• Experience summarizing and analyzing datasets and communicating findings, highly desired.
• Experience supervising desired.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and ArcGIS desired.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently and make decisions and act quickly and decisively on the determined course of action.
• Ability to operate boats, outboard motors, and commonly used sampling gear for fishes and macroinvertebrates.
• Ability to work irregular hours and weekends with the possibility of extended travel time during seasonal sampling periods.
• Ability to accurately identify crayfish and other aquatic macroinvertebrates using taxonomic keys and other aids.
• Ability to swim and safely operate personal watercraft (canoes, kayaks) on streams.
• Ability to adapt to a variety of job situations involving long hours, hazardous conditions and difficult circumstances.
• Ability to establish an effective working relationship with Department employees, Extension Agents, educational professionals, and community leaders.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and ensure data QAQC with attention to detail.
• Ability to safely sample aquatic macroinvertebrates in multiple habitat types including streams, wetlands, and caves and operate commonly used sampling gear.

Work Environment

• Regularly work in outdoor environments where hot, cold, wet and/or humid conditions exist.
• Occasionally exposed to loud noises which may require the use of hearing protection.

Physical Abilities

• Remain stationary up to 70% of the time.
• Move about grounds, both inside and outside of buildings.
• Regularly operate tools and other machinery and relocate ma