Aquatic Ecologist (Limnology)

Crater Lake, OR
7/27/2026
Crater Lake, OR
50.00 
50.00 
Monday - Friday, Days
Aquatic Ecologist (Limnology)
ID:NPSCRLA-001-004Location:Crater LakeProgram:NPS
Wage/Hr:$50.00Hours/Week:25Minimum Age:55

For over 25 years, National Experienced Workforce Solutions (NEW Solutions) has specialized in connecting experienced workers (ages 55+) with full-time and part-time job opportunities that support the critical missions of Federal Agencies across the United States.

NEW Solutions connects experienced workers (ages 55+) with the National Park Service (NPS). These experienced professionals provide administrative expertise, facilities management, natural and cultural resource planning, and a broad array of other professional skills that support the National Park Service through the Experienced Services Program (ESP).

Positions listed here do not guarantee employment for any definite period. Enrollment in the Experienced Worker Programs administered by NEW Solutions is temporary. The enrollment relationship between NEW Solutions and the Enrollee is an ?at-will? relationship. This means that an Enrollee is free to terminate enrollment at any time during the enrollment period, and NEW Solutions and the Agency have the right to terminate the relationship with the Enrollee.

PLEASE NOTE: An ?Enrollee? is not a federal employee, nor an employee of NEW Solutions. An ?Enrollee? is a participant in a grant program established through a Cooperative Agreement funded by the agency and administered by NEW Solutions.

This opportunity applies to applicants legally eligible to work in the United States.

Qualifications:

Minimum of 20 year(s) of experience in limnological monitoring and boat operation OR MA/MS Degree with minimum additional experience of 20 year(s) in limnology and lake monitoring OR Previously completed training in motorboat operation

  • Motorboat operation; tractor driving; driving and towing a trailer; experience conducting long-term monitoring of deep oligotrophic lake, including specific skills mentioned in Job Duties and Responsibilities (above).
  • Experience required with Windows, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint
  • Biosonics Hydroacoustic Analysis software, Seabird CTD software
Duties:

Perform specialized technical, mechanical, and scientific duties to support long term limnological monitoring of Crater Lake. Assist with special projects in limnological monitoring, biological sampling, aquatic habitat restoration, and motorboat operation and maintenance as assigned. Requires strong professional and academic background in biological, chemical, and physical monitoring of deep-water oligotrophic lakes, analytical skills for quantifying aquatic primary productivity (14CO2 uptake method), familiarity with specialized limnological and oceanographic instruments (e.g., Sea-Bird CTD, McLane ice-tethered profiler, Biosonics hydroacoustic echosounder), ability to operate motorized boats up to 35? LOA in inclement weather, and ability to access lake via 1.1 mile trail that drops 700 ft elevation from trailhead to lakeshore.

  • Safety and operational training   5%
  • Training and education of less experienced limnology crew members (sampling methods, boat operation, program design)   15%
  • Facility and infrastructure maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair (e.g., boat house, docks, boats, buoys, instruments)   10%
  • Boat operation   20%
  • Limnological monitoring and sampling   30%
  • Laboratory analyses   10%
  • Data management and reporting   10%

Other:
  • Required Certifications: Past or Current Certification in: Motorboat Operator Certification Course; Motorboat Operator Instructor Certification; Oregon State University Radiation Safety Training; Valid driver?s license
  • Overnight travel: Some ?backcountry travel? may be required to spend night at Wizard Island boathouse when conducting nighttime sampling.
  • Health and Safety Considerations: Some work with radioactive Carbon will require radiation safety training. This training will be available if enrollee has not already completed it. Boat operators must possess valid Motorboat Operator Certification or will be re-certified during the assignment before operating boats.
  • Required Safety Gear: Personal Floatation Devices and head, eye, and ear protection will be supplied when appropriate.
  • Physical requirements: Enrollee must be able to access Crater Lake daily on foot via 1.1 mile trail that drops 700 ft elevation from trailhead to lakeshore, must occasionally lift and carry large, bulky items weighing up to 80 lbs, and must be capable of walking over undeveloped uneven rocky terrain. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

NEW Solutions is committed to promoting equal opportunity and to an environment free from discrimination and harassment in any form administering Experienced Worker Programs under cooperative agreements with federal agencies. It is NEW Solutions' policy to comply with all applicable laws that provide equal opportunity and to prohibit unlawful discrimination in enrolling participants in the federal programs.