The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the Summit Lake Paiute Tribe (SLPT), is recruiting three (3) Fisheries Research Associates to assist the SLPT Natural Resources Department staff to perform tasks associated with surveying, counting, capturing, and tagging Lahontan cutthroat trout (LCT). Summit Lake holds one of the two remaining self-sustaining lake populations of Lahontan cutthroat trout, a federally threatened species. Monitoring this population has been a 60+ year project for the SLPT and ensuring its preservation is vital for the recovery of this species as a whole and retaining the cultural significance of these fish to the tribe. This is a 14-week field-based position in a remote location on the Summit Lake Reservation in Humboldt County, Nevada. Employees are expected to adhere to all Summit Lake Paiute Tribe Policies when on Tribal property including during non-working hours. 

Duties

• Assist with monitoring the LCT spawn run in the Mahogany Creek Fish Trap (50%)
• Assist with monitoring the LCT lake population through fyke net sampling (15%)
• Conduct redd surveys throughout the watershed (10%)
• Assist with Bald eagle monitoring (10%)
• Assist with LCT electrofishing surveys (5%)
• Occasionally assist with other natural resource projects as needed, such as water quality monitoring, fence and station maintenance, Tribal outreach, and Sage Grouse population monitoring (10%)

Timeline

• 14-week appointment starting on March 24, 2025, and ending on June 27, 2025
  • Full-time (40 hours/week) with a combination of a 4/10 schedule (four ten-hour days each week), and 5/8 schedule (five eight-hour days each week).
  • A willingness and ability to remain flexible with work schedules is necessary given the needs of the fish trap.
• Weekend and holiday work may be required

Location
Work will take place in the field station on the Summit Lake Reservation, the most remote Indian reservation in Nevada. Located in NW Nevada, the Reservation is 50 miles south of the Oregon border and 70 miles east of the California border, and about 4 hours north of Reno, Nevada.

Compensation & Benefits

• Wage: $21/hour
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums available at no cost
  • Eligible to enroll on the first day of the month following the first day of employment
• Shared housing with basic amenities (electric, water, heat/AC, wifi etc.) provided on the Reservation during field work. 
• No-cost $25,000 Life/AD&D policy
• Paid leave and partner holidays, pending approval of GBI supervisor and on-site supervisor
• Mental health support resources are employer provided through an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Qualifications

• Successful completion of at least 2 years of college-level coursework in natural resources, biology, or related field;
• At least six months experience in natural resource projects such as wildlife research and monitoring, plant identification, or vegetation survey and management;
• Able to maintain a flexible work schedule – i.e. working on weekends and/or through the night and/or beginning the work day pre-dawn when required by project
• Ability to navigate in remote areas (no cell service) using compass, GPS, natural features, and maps;
• Ability to live and work as a team member in an extremely remote area of Northern Nevada for extended periods of time; 
• Possession of a clean and valid driving license (a driving record will be requested during the onboarding process)
• Ability to lift up to 50lbs and hike for extended periods of time over uneven terrain in inclement weather; 
• Adhere to daily/weekly work schedules that are subject to change in response to project needs; 
• Comfortable working in both extremely cold and extremely hot temperatures;
• Comfortable with primitive living conditions for extended periods of time; 
• Self-motivated with a positive attitude;
• Able to demonstrate good written and verbal communication skills; effectively interact with Tribal members, staff and agency personnel; work independently, collaboratively, and effectively in a cross-cultural environment with people of various skills; 
• Working knowledge of proper wildlife and fish handling, tagging, and tracking techniques, proper data collection and record keeping;
• Safe driving techniques on unmaintained dirt/gravel roads using 4x4 trucks, UTVs and ATVs; 
• Comfortable working on a small boat for long hours; 
• Passion for the outdoors and natural resource conservation and management.