Job Description: Trout Unlimited is a national organization with 300,000 members and supporters organized into over 400 chapters and councils nationwide. These dedicated grassroots volunteers are matched by a respected staff of organizers, lawyers, policy experts, and scientists, who work out of more than 45 offices across the country. Our mission is to conserve, protect, and restore North America’s cold-water fisheries and their watersheds.
Position Description: Trout Unlimited in Northeast Oregon is looking for an enthusiastic, hardworking, and motivated individual to join our team in 2025. TU is working with the U.S. Forest Service Wallowa-Whitman and Malheur National Forests, the Bureau of Land Management, and private landowners to conduct stream restoration that supports native trout, salmon, and ecosystem conservation.
We are looking to fill a temporary position with an anticipated start date of June 25th, and end date of August 22nd. Dates may be flexible depending on the applicant’s circumstances. There is a possibility of optional fall fieldwork between late September and mid-November, however this is dependent on pending funding decisions.
The successful candidate will receive training and experience in multiple stream restoration activities. The summer field season will involve physically demanding fieldwork. Fieldwork will include construction of beaver dam analogues and large woody debris structures in headwater streams to restore fish and wildlife habitat. Additional fieldwork may consist of planting, thinning, electrofishing, fence maintenance, and other field tasks. The field technician will help TU staff lead contracted hand crews and teach basic restoration techniques.
Our crews work 40+ hour weeks (with paid overtime), camp 3-4 nights per week, and travel to remote field sites. Daily tasks involve traversing difficult terrain while carrying field gear and supplies in all weather conditions. Successful applicants must be team-oriented with a positive attitude. The position will be based out of NE Oregon (La Grande, Baker City, or other local area), with fieldwork and camping at multiple project sites during the week. The primary duties are listed below.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Enhance habitat in headwater streams for fish and wildlife using tools including grip hoist, winch, hand tools, chainsaws, pulleys, levers, and muscles
- Help lead hand crews (including young adult crews) as part of TU’s Headwaters Hand crew Initiative
- Perform additional duties including, but not limited to, riparian planting, fence maintenance, habitat assessment/monitoring, stream surveys, and education/outreach
- Transport heavy gear daily over difficult terrain
- Work in a close-knit team with a high degree of coordination and communication
- Keep a positive attitude and follow directions while conducting physically demanding work
- Maintain and inventory project equipment.
- Design restoration actions to enhance stream morphology (training provided)
- Camp at worksites 3 to 4 nights per week
- Perform all duties with safety as the top priority. Maintain situational awareness and manage risk in a remote field environment
- Maintain a high level of integrity throughout the season while setting a positive example for other crew members.
How to Apply:
Please submit a letter of interest (1 page maximum), resume (2 pages maximum), and contact information for 3 professional references at https://www.tu.org/about/jobs-
Only complete application packages will be considered. Application closes March 30th at 11:59 pm PST. Interviews with qualified candidates will occur in early April. This is a seasonal summer position with an optional work period in the fall.