Rare Fishes Program Assistant

The Missouri Department of Conservation is hiring a Rare Fishes Program Assistant in Columbia, MO, to assist with research and monitoring of endangered fish species. Responsibilities include conducting surveys, collecting biological data, and maintaining research equipment. The position requires a commitment of 40 hours per week during the summer field season. Candidates should have two years of undergraduate education in a relevant science and possess skills in operating tools and boats.
Requisition Id: 3721

Hourly Pay Rate: $16.06

Hourly Pay Grade: H4

Expected Work Schedule: 40 hours/week

Job Location: Central Reg Office & Research Ctr (COLUM2)

Closing Date:

Our Culture: The Missouri Department of Conservation supports a culture of trusted professionals that is dedicated to our mission, practices responsible stewardship, and believes in One MDC.

To learn more about this exciting opportunity, please email the hiring supervisor, ​Brandon L Brooke, at Brandon.Brooke@mdc.mo.gov or call 573 8157901x2891, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Summary/Objective

This position will assist MDC’s Rare Fishes Program with ongoing research and monitoring of endangered Niangua Darter and other fish species of conservation concern. Job duties will primarily be related to the collection, management, and reporting of biological data and maintaining the equipment needed for conducting research and monitoring activities.

This position is expected to work fulltime throughout the summer field season from approximately May 16th to mid-August (start and end dates have flexibility).

Essential Job Duties
• Assist with ongoing surveys to monitor populations of endangered Niangua Darter and other stream fishes.
• The employee will be trained in a variety of field methods to sample these species of conservation concern, associated fish communities, and collect data describing habitat characteristics.
• Activities will include conducting fish distribution surveys in Ozark streams using snorkeling and seine methods, canoeing/kayaking to survey locations, habitat assessment, and data collection using various electronic instruments.
• Provide limited scientific technical support to researchers, students, managers, administrators, educators, and protection staff.
• Perform general maintenance on tools, gear, and equipment.
• Regular field trips, work extended or non-standard hours, and occasional overnight travel are required.

Ancillary Job Duties

Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience
• Two years of undergraduate education in one of the sciences (e.g., Wildlife, Fisheries, Forestry, or Biological Sciences).
• For longer-duration aquatic sampling positions, ability to pass an approved boating safety course, and obtain a Missouri Boating Safety Certification Card within 6 months of employment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Ability to operate boats, outboard motors, land maintenance equipment, power tools and large trucks pulling trailer.
• Ability to adapt to a variety of job situations often involving long hours, hazardous conditions and difficult circumstances.
• Ability to operate various types of hand tools and perform minor mechanical repairs on vehicles and equipment.
• Knowledge to perform minor repairs on buildings and utility systems.
• Ability to establish an effective working relationship with Department employees, Extension Agents, educational professionals, and community leaders.

Work Environment
• Regularly work in outdoor environments where hot, cold, wet and/or humid conditions exist.
• Occasionally exposed to loud noises which may require the use of hearing protection.

Physical Abilities
• Remain stationary up to 70% of the time.
• Ability to move about grounds, both inside and outside of buildings.
• Regularly operate tools and other machinery and relocate machinery to other areas.
• Ability to frequently communicate and exchange accurate information.
• Clarity of vision, three-dimensional vision, precise hand-eye coordination and the ability to identify and distinguish colors.
• Regularly lift up to 30 pounds, correctly lift up to 75 pounds.
• Concentrated attention is required at all times.
• Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.

Disclaimer

Exemption Status/Special Notes

This position has been determined to be Nonexempt according to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Employees must agree to accept compensatory time in lieu of cash payments in accordance with the Department's Compensatory Time Off and Overtime Policy.

Salaried and hourly employees are expected to use a mobile device-cellular phone for Department business, as needed.

MDC promotes a Tobacco-Free (smoke and smokeless) working environment.

The Department of Conservation will only hire United States citizens and aliens authorized to work in the United States. All new employees will be required to complete an "Employment Eligibility Verification" (Form I-9) and produce requested documentation after employment.

Candidates seeking initial employment or re-employment must submit to a drug screen following offer of employment.

All persons employed with the state of Missouri shall file all state income tax forms and pay all state income taxes owed.