Position Summary:

Spring/Summer 2019 – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is currently recruiting for one position to support fish, aquatic natural resources, and habitat management and restoration at Army Corps Lands in the Willamette Valley Region. The successful candidate will assist with management of aquatic natural resources at the 13 reservoirs in the Willamette Valley Region.

Duties and Responsibilities:

While working closely with USACE Aquatic Stewardship staff, intern assists with trapping, tracking and transport of Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed fish using rotary screw traps, minnow traps, adult fishways, fish transport trucks and stream surveys. Duties primarily involve traveling to fish traps by truck or boat, netting fish, setting and retrieving minnow traps, identifying fish, weighing, measuring and documenting catch, and clipping fins for genetic samples and/or later identification. Office duties mainly involve data entry into Excel spreadsheets and review of current scientific literature. Approximately 60% of time will be spent monitoring fish passage, 10% preparing equipment, 10% on data entry, 5% cleaning and repairing equipment, 5% on training and meetings, and 10% other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

  • Ability to climb stairs, stand for long periods, bend, climb ladders or scaffolds to observe, collect, and record data
  • Ability to use a kayak to reach monitoring sites
  • Work outdoors in remote settings, inclement weather and on rugged terrain / uneven ground
  • Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs
  • Attention to detail
  • Good written and verbal communication skills and a positive attitude
  • Knowledge of Excel spreadsheets and Microsoft Word
  • Must be comfortable riding in and working from a boat
  • Current driver’s license
  • Willingness to submit to a government background check

Desired Qualifications:

  • Knowledge of Northwest natural resources and fish
  • Coursework in fish biology and strong interest in conservation
  • Previous experience using GPS units

Duty location:

Will report daily to Army Corps office at Lookout Point Dam, Lowell, Oregon. Intern must arrange their own transportation to and from the office. Public transportation opportunities are limited. Field sites may include any of the thirteen reservoirs that make up the Willamette Valley Project and transportation to those sites is normally in a government vehicle driven by a USACE employee. This position may require use of own vehicle (miles reimbursable) during duty hours.

Terms of Employment:

One AmeriCorps member will serve a term of service starting April 2019. Starting date and hours are negotiable. Time commitment is a minimum of 450 hours from April through September 2019.

Program Benefits:

A total living allowance of $4,996.69 will be paid for the term of service, dispersed evenly on a monthly basis, followed by a $1,566.14 education award upon completion of the 450 hours of service and/or position requirements. The living allowance and education award are taxable. Members are responsible for providing their own housing and food. Service eligibility is contingent upon the results of a criminal and driving background check.

To Apply:

Please visit www.nwyouthcorps.org/m/ourprograms/ConservationInterns and click on “Apply Now” next to the Army Corps of Engineers Aquatic Steward position. If you have questions about the position, please contact Andrew Tagge, Internship Coordinator, at andrewt@nwyouthcorps.org or 541-654-4704. This announcement will remain open until the position is filled.