If interested, please reply to Brandon Harland, Iowa DNR.

Lake/Wetland Monitoring Summer Employee (1) Needed: late -May – August 2007

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ Watershed Monitoring and 
Assessment Section is seeking one summer lake monitoring assistant. The 
assistant will work with lake monitoring biologists to identify, measure, 
collect, and record various types of biological, chemical and physical data 
from lakes located in Iowa. The objectives of this project are to assess 
the ecological condition of lakes related to statewide and national 
initiatives to monitor and improve water quality.

Duties will include the following related activities:
-          Work in teams to perform site evaluations of lakes across Iowa.
-          Assist with field sampling methods and the collection/processing 
of water, sediment and biological samples.
-          Must be willing to use, or learn to use, all equipment related 
to field sampling work including: 4WD trucks, operation of a boat and 
handling its associated trailer, canoe, multi-parameter sampling probes, 
fish nets and any other related hand tools.
-     GIS map interpretation and navigation in a rural landscape.
-     Contact landowners to gain permission to access lakes on private land.

Applicants must have a good understanding of basic lake ecology, outdoor 
skills and be willing to work long hours in the field under all types of 
weather conditions. Applicants must be able to perform moderate physical 
work such as carrying sampling equipment while walking through marshy 
areas, loading/unloading boats, etc. EPA training with the staff biologist 
is necessary and will occur in May. After initial training, the assistant 
will work in a team to sample lakes.  After lake sampling work is completed 
the assistant will assist with shallow lake and wetland sampling 
activities. Sampling work will require overnight stays throughout Iowa and 
extensive travel throughout the sampling region most of the summer. Pay 
will be a stipend of $1500/ month. The applicant will be housed in Des 
Moines for the first part of the summer and at Lake Mills (housing will be 
provided) the remainder of the sampling season. Must be willing to work as 
a team and live in a shared field house. Applicants must have a valid 
driver’s license and allow their driving record to be screened during 
normal State of Iowa review upon hiring.

Employees will gain valuable work experience in the following ways: 1) 
learn state and federal methods and techniques related to lake sampling; 2) 
gain first-hand knowledge of lake ecological integrity, trophic status, and 
recreational value indicators, as well as general lake characteristics; 3) 
gain a working knowledge of lake fish and plant species and physical 
shoreline and littoral habitats present in Iowa, and 4) gain valuable 
experience communicating with the general public, other agencies, and 
working in teams.

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 21, 2007

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume including the names, phone 
numbers, and e-mail addresses of three references electronically or by mail to:

Brandon Harland – Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources
502 E. 9th St.
Des Moines, IA 50319
<mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>[EMAIL PROTECTED]
for questions call: (515) 281-3150

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is an EEO/AA EMPLOYER.


_____________________________________
Tim Stewart
Assistant Professor
Natural Resource Ecology and Management
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa 50011
(515) 294-1644
http://www.public.iastate.edu/~twstewar/homepage.html

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