Job Description

Position Summary

The Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology at Colorado State University is hiring two lake ecology research technicians to work on a collaborative project with the Preston and Almeida aquatic ecology labs, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Northern Water, and other stakeholders. The positions will involve field and laboratory work, with a focus on running and maintaining a lake mesocosm experiment in Grand Lake (Grand County, CO) near Rocky Mountain National Park. The experiment is designed to manipulate non-native Mysis diluviana densities and evaluate lake ecosystem responses, especially zooplankton, phytoplankton, and water clarity. The successful candidates will be stationed on or near Grand Lake for a large part of the summer to collect experimental data from floating docks, including sampling at nighttime. Lodging in Grand Lake will be provided, in addition to per diem. When not engaged in field research, the candidate will have opportunities for laboratory work to help with processing of samples to characterize the lake food web.

Full Consideration Date

April 30, 2026

Brief Work Unit Description

The Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology is housed within the Warner College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University. The Department trains students and post-graduates in ecology and conservation and conducts research on applied ecology topics in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Essential Job Duties

• Deployment and maintenance of mesocosm structures, to include daily monitoring and cleaning/repairs between experiments.

• Lake sample collection, to include mysis, zooplankton, phytoplankton, and a suite of limnological data (e.g., nutrients, Secchi depth, temperature profiles).

• Lake sample processing, to include quantifying composition of Mysis and zooplankton samples.

• Operation of motor boats

• Data entry and organization tasks in coordination with a team of researchers.

Conditions of Employment

• Valid drivers license

• Ability to pass a background check

Minimum Qualifications

• Ability to work well with a group, communicate clearly, have a positive attitude, and treat everyone on the research team with respect.

• Attention to detail and ability to follow protocols and record data carefully and accurately

• The candidates will be stationed in or near Grand Lake, Colorado during the experiments and will likely work five days on, two off with flexible scheduling to align with needs of the experimental sampling

• Must be comfortable working during both the day and night while on boats and floating docks.

• Strong decision-making skills in the field; ability to troubleshoot independently

• Ability to work safely in poor weather

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience operating small boats, including towing and backing a trailer, navigating a boat ramp, and operating on the water

• Experience with lake sampling of phytoplankton, zooplankton, and water chemistry

• Experience with data entry and organization

Pay Rate Range

17.00 – 21.00 per hour, depending on qualifications

Application Instructions

Please submit cover letter, resume, and contact information for two references

For questions please contact: jeremy.brooks@colostate.edu

Salary Range

Required Application Documents

To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Employee Benefits

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Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.