Position Summary
The Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology at Colorado State University is
hiring two lake ecology research technicians to work on a collaborative project with the Preston
and Almeida aquatic ecology labs, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Northern Water, and other
stakeholders. The positions will involve field and laboratory work, with a focus on running and
maintaining a lake mesocosm experiment in Grand Lake (Grand County, CO) near Rocky
Mountain National Park. The experiment is designed to manipulate non-native Mysis diluviana
densities and evaluate lake ecosystem responses, especially zooplankton, phytoplankton, and
water clarity. The successful candidates will be stationed on Grand Lake for the summer to
collect experimental data from floating docks, including sampling at nighttime. Lodging in
Grand Lake will be provided, in addition to per diem. When not engaged in field research, the
candidate will have opportunities for laboratory work to help with processing of samples to
characterize the lake food web.
Job Duration
Start date between mid-May and mid-June and end date of mid-August to mid-September. There
may be an opportunity to extend the positions into Fall depending on performance, needs of the
project, and whether the candidate is enrolled in fall courses or not.
Full Consideration Date
April 30, 2026
Brief Work Unit Description
The Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology is housed within the Warner
College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University. The Department trains students and
post-graduates in ecology and conservation and conducts research on applied ecology topics in
terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Essential Job Duties
• Deployment and maintenance of mesocosm structures, to include daily monitoring and
cleaning/repairs between experiments.
• Lake sample collection, to include mysis, zooplankton, phytoplankton, and a suite of
limnological data (e.g., nutrients, Secchi depth, temperature profiles).
• Lake sample processing, to include quantifying composition of Mysis and zooplankton
Samples.
• Operation of motor boats
• Data entry and organization tasks in coordination with a team of researchers.
Conditions of Employment
• Valid drivers license
• Ability to pass a background check
Minimum Qualifications
• Ability to work well with a group, communicate clearly, have a positive attitude, and
treat everyone on the research team with respect.
• Attention to detail and ability to follow protocols and record data carefully and accurately
• The candidates will be stationed in or near Grand Lake, Colorado during the experiments
and will likely work five days on, two off with flexible scheduling to align with needs of
the experimental sampling
• Must be comfortable working during both the day and night while on boats and floating
Docks.
• Strong decision-making skills in the field; ability to troubleshoot independently
• Ability to work safely in poor weather
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience operating small boats, including towing and backing a trailer, navigating a
boat ramp, and operating on the water
• Experience with lake sampling of phytoplankton, zooplankton, and water chemistry
• Experience with data entry and organization
Pay Rate Range
17.00 – 21.00 per hour, depending on qualifications
Application Instructions
Please submit cover letter, resume, and contact information for two references to the application link.
For questions please contact: jeremy.brooks@colostate.edu