Employer Columbia Environmental Research Center Job Description, Responsibilities and Required Qualifications or Skills Project DescriptionsThe students will work with scientists in the Quantitative and Conservation Ecology Lab at the U.S. Geological Survey Columbia Environmental Research Center to support multiple research efforts in the Lake Erie and Mississippi River basins. Projects include:• Radio, acoustic, and satellite telemetry studies tracking movements, survival, and habitat use of invasive and native fishes in Lake Erie and its tributaries.• Gear comparison projects evaluating capture efficiency across electrofishing, gill nets, hoop nets, and passive acoustic or radio detections.• Research tied to the Cuyahoga River Gorge Dam removal, including movement ecology, community response, environmental DNA sampling, and habitat connectivity assessments.• Field operations across Sandusky, Maumee, Cuyahoga, and Detroit Rivers related to invasive Grass Carp removal, population modeling, and annual monitoring.• Local pond research evaluating movement behavior, habitat selection, and manipulative experiments using controlled physical setups and monitoring equipment.The positions provide hands-on experience with riverine fieldwork, acoustic and radio telemetry, quantitative ecological data collection, gear deployment, controlled experimental systems, and large collaborative research efforts.Types of Services RequiredThe student contractors will assist with a broad set of field, laboratory, and data responsibilities across Lake Erie and Mississippi River basin projects. Duties include:Field Activities• Deploying, maintaining, and retrieving fixed acoustic receivers and radio towers.• Conducting active tracking using boat and kayak-based telemetry.• Running standardized sampling events with multiple gears including electrofishing, gill nets, fyke nets, hoop nets, and trammel nets.• Collecting biological data such as lengths, weights, fin rays, and tissue samples.• Supporting gear comparison trials and telemetry-based capture efficiency studies.• Participating in Cuyahoga River monitoring and sampling associated with the Gorge Dam removal timeline.• Operating USGS vessels, trailers, and field equipment.• Overnight travel is required for extended field operationLaboratory and Data Responsibilities• Downloading, organizing, and quality checking acoustic and radio telemetry datasets.• Entering, cleaning, and summarizing fisheries and environmental datasets.• Assisting with figure preparation, data summaries, and report development.• Supporting movement and behavior studies in local ponds, including tracking, habitat use observations, and structured manipulative experiments using controlled physical setups and monitoring equipment.Project Ownership and Professional Development• Students will have opportunities to take ownership of components of ongoing projects.• Students may develop side projects using collected data if they fit within program goals.• Publication or presentation of student led work is possible if desired and supported by project timelines. Students may also assist with other research within the Fisheries and Invasive Species Branch as needed. RequirementsApplicants must have completed a Bachelor of Science degree or be nearing completion of their Bachelor of Science in the current academic term. Individuals with a Bachelor of Science through a Master of Science level of education are encouraged to apply. Degrees should be in fisheries, ecology, biology, environmental science, or related discipline.Required qualifications• Experience with fisheries techniques or aquatic fieldwork.• Ability to safely operate or learn to operate small boats and motors.• Ability to work in and around water, including from boats.• Basic proficiency with computers, spreadsheets, and data entry.• Strong interpersonal skills suited to collaborative field and lab environments.• A valid driver’s license.Preferred qualifications• Experience with acoustic or radio telemetry.• Experience with trailering and backing boats.• Experience with R or an interest in quantitative ecology. Description of working conditionsWork will take place in office, laboratory, and field settings across Lake Erie tributaries and the Mississippi River and its tributaries and associated study sites. Fieldwork will occur in a wide range of weather and river conditions, including heat, cold, rain, strong currents, debris, and limited visibility. Students should expect long field days, early mornings, and seven day work periods during intensive operations. Deploying telemetry equipment and sampling gears may require lifting up to 50 pounds and working from boats or along unstable shorelines. Exposure to insects and muddy terrain is common. Overnight travel will be required for extended field operations, with lodging and per diem provided during travel. Job Field: Fisheries Job Type: Full Time Location Detail: Columbia, MO Salary: Compensation is commensurate with the level of education and experience, as follows: $20.81 per hour (B.S. degree) to $38.14 (M.S. research position) There is no salary withholding from contractor compensation. Students must arrange to pay their own social security and any applicable taxes. Students are responsible for all costs of transportation to and from the principal duty station location (Columbia, Missouri). The Government does not provide housing, meals or other living expenses while working at the principal duty station. Transportation will be provided to and from field investigation site(s). Meals/cost of food while on travel away from the principal duty station at field investigation sites will be provided by the USGS in the same manner as for federal employees, in accordance with the Government Travel Regulations. The position is a contract position, and not a federal government position. Job Benefits: How to apply:The anticipated start date for this position is on or about January 5, 2026 and the position will continue through January 2027. The contract may be renewed for 1 additional year. Jobs will remain open until filled, but it is anticipated that all selections will be made prior to the end of December 2025. After selection, selected applicants will be required to provide an official transcript and to register as a contractor, including acquiring and providing a UEI number to USGS. A UEI number is required for all federal contracts. There is no charge for a UEI number. No work can be performed, and no payment can be provided prior to USGS receipt of the applicant’s UEI number. Successful candidates are contractors and will be responsible for withholding of state and federal taxes.In responding to this USGS contract opportunity, interested students should submit a cover letter and resume that includes: full legal name of the student, mailing address, telephone number, email address (if available), date of birth, place of birth, citizenship (if not a US citizen, provide immigration/VISA status), education (including descriptions of relevant classes) and work or volunteer experience related to the scientific field. In addition, a copy of the most recent transcript listing courses taken and the student’s overall GPA should be submitted.All materials must be submitted by December 15, 2025 to:Matthew R. Acre, Research Fisheries Biologist. U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO 65202via email: macre@usgs.govAdditional information about the position can be requested by phone inquiry (573-890-0300). Application Deadline: Mon, 12/15/2025 - 12:00pm
