Job Posting: Hydrologist/Aquatic Ecologist - Corvallis, OR

[David Kirschtel]

National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, Inc.
Job Description

Position:           Hydrologist/Aquatic Ecologist (1 position)

Reports to:       Program Manager Western Watersheds

Work Week:     Non-Exempt position; 40+ hours per week to meet work demands
Revised:           April 22, 2026

Duty Station:    Corvallis, OR, with field work in WA and OR

Duration:          Early May 2026 - March 31, 2027, with possible extensions up to a total term of four years dependent upon performance and funding

Salary:              $25.96 - $28.27 per hour (M.S.) or $22.50 - $25.96 per hour (B.S.)

Benefits:          Position eligible for benefits

Safety:             The following job posting is for a safety sensitive position for which impairment while working presents a substantial risk of death and is therefore exempt from Washington's new marijuana testing law RCW 49.44.240, and pre-employment marijuana testing is required.

Key Words:      Inverse buffer study, summer crew lead, managed forests in OR and WA

 

Essential Job Functions:

1. Perform duties as a project manager for an inverse buffer study to examine effects of riparian trees on summer low flow implemented on private forest lands in Washington and Oregon.  
2. Work closely with primary investigators to oversee data management, data quality assurance and quality control, data archiving and preliminary analyses of stream and riparian data
3. Frequent trips to Washington study sites May to October 2026, and potentially sites in Oregon.
4. Orchestrate successful data collection efforts as a seasonal crew lead (summer), which includes:

·         Coordinating field schedules and workflow for 1-3 seasonal crew members.

·         Maintaining safe field practices and positive crew dynamics

·         Training and working with the field crew on installation of temporary v-notch, sensors (temperature loggers, level loggers), and hydrologic field sampling techniques to quantify discharge to establish rating curves.  

·         Perform statistical analyses in R, assist with site selection for additional study locations with proficiency in GIS.

5. Compile and manage project data in a project database.

 

Additional Responsibilities:

1. Position will require working outdoors in inclement weather, often in recently harvested forest stands.  Must be able to get to and work from remote locations, drive safely on forest roads with active management (i.e., log truck traffic), read maps, navigate through a forested landscape, and relate well with the public.
2. Gather data using specific protocols, enter data with both tablets and Excel, create summaries of data and work accomplishments.
3. Willingness to have a flexible work schedule with work at remote locations over multiple days, and travel between study locations.     
4. Overnight camping near study sites is expected. There may be extensive travel to and from study sites.
5. Demonstrate an ability to work effectively with others toward meeting the goals of the National Council of Air and Stream Improvement, Inc. (NCASI).
6. Develop a familiarity with NCASI’s mission, policies, practices, and procedures.
7. Become acquainted with the environmental issues of the forest products industry.
8. Read, absorb, process, and communicate complex information. Assist the supervisor in responding to technical queries by NCASI clients and others in a competent and timely manner.  
9. Possess ability to positively carry-out associated field work that may involve prolonged (multi-day) exposure to inclement conditions and a necessity to hike carrying equipment (30 pounds or more) over rough terrain (for 2 miles or more).
10. Undertake additional activities assigned by Supervisor that may include efforts that contribute to other ongoing NCASI aquatic/riparian/watershed projects.

11. Follow all safety protocols.

12. Pass a mandatory pre-employment drug test.

 

Minimum Qualifications:

1.       Bachelor’s degree in a hydrology, aquatic ecology, biological sciences, discipline or related environmental field, two or more years of experience (or a thesis-based Master of Science), and knowledge of hydrologic or aquatic field sampling techniques.

2.       Have driving record which can be approved by Federal Agencies to drive government vehicles and can be insured at standard rates.

3.       Possess basic data entry experience (Microsoft Excel).

 

Preferred Additional Qualifications:

1.       Experience successfully performing project management, data collection, and data management aspects of the above essential functions

2.       Experience safely leading field crews in aquatic sampling efforts

3.       Experience with GIS and statistical software (R)

4.       Master’s degree in a biological science, fisheries or aquatic ecology discipline or related environmental field

To Apply:  Send cover letter explaining your experience with or approach to the essential functions listed above, resume, and 3 references with phone numbers and e-mail addresses to: Ms. Laurie Clark at lcl...@ncasi.org, specifying “Hydrologist/Aquatic Ecologist” in the subject line. Applicant review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. NCASI is an equal opportunity employer.