Urban Freshwater Research Technician (Part-TimeTemp)

Work withinSheddsUrban Freshwaters programfocusing on understandingthebiodiversity and ecology of theChicago arestudyinghowspecies diversity andhabitats are distributed across the Chicago Riveras well ashowsewer overflowspoor water quality eventsorrestoration activities caninteract to are looking foratechnicianto complete acombination offieldandlaboratoryworkwithin the scope ofseverallarger research projectsand needsin is expected that thetechnicianwill develop andexecute an independent research project within the scope of the largerprogram and supervised bythe lead Biologist which willbe presented to a generalinternalaudience upon completion of the role.

Thetechnicianwillsupport theUrban Freshwaters programprimarilybyassistingin field work necessary to map changes in water quality algaeblooms submerged habitatandthe locations ofinvertebratesturtlesbirdsand work primarily includes weeklyvisual surveys via kayakand frommid-June through Julyweekly nighttimelarval fishsampling via boat. Fieldwork isfocused on the South Branch of the Chicago River with Park 571beingtheprimaryaccess the summer season thetechnician will help deploy and retrievepassivemacroinvertebrate samplersand decomposition monitoring of field equipment including instrument calibration is work will consist ofusing a microscope to isolate macroinvertebrates (including zooplankton) andlarval fishesfrom collected sampling devices or from stomach contents. Taxa will beidentifiedusing taxonomickeysand genetic analyses(i.e. sanger sequencing)may be carriedouttoidentifyorganisms when visualmeans prove work will consist of digitizingand mappingdata collected duringvisual encounterkayak surveysas well as classifying imagesof fishoniNaturalistintocategories based on the presence of may be opportunities to join other research events such as fieldwork to assess mussel populations fish taggingand trackingeventsrestoration plantingsand others as they become available.

• Demonstrate commitment to Shedds vision mission and values.
• Assist in safely collecting detailed notes and data on local fauna via kayaks and boats.
• Assess in collecting water quality data through handheld devices by calibrating devices routinely.
• Assist in the deployment and retrieval of macroinvertebrate samplers within the Chicago Area Waterways from boats.
• Isolate enumerate and identify zooplankton macroinvertebrates and larval fish using a dissecting microscope.
• Assist with equipment loading unloading and calibrating.
• Develop and complete a research project under the guidance ofSheddResearch experts.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Comfortable working safely outside from small floating vessels or in and around waterbodies for long periodsduring various weather conditions including nighttime
• Keen observational skills to spot and identify elusive small or fast Chicagoland fauna including reptiles and birds
• Comfortable working with microscopes for extended periods to sort and count samples
• Able to walk safely along riverbanks and uneven terrain in low-light conditions
• Familiarity with equipment calibration techniques
• Enthusiasm and critical thinking skills to take ownership of a research project
• Able to transport self to and from fieldworksitesalong the South Branch of the Chicago River

• Accrued Paid Time Off
• 401(k)
• Discounted Parking and Public Transit Subsidies
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Wellness program
• Employee discounts
• Employee Tickets