LEAD AQUATIC BIOLOGY TECHNICIAN INTERN

(GRANT FUNDED POSITION)

Number of Openings:           1

Employee Classification:      Non-Exempt, Clerical/Support

Institution:                          Cleveland State Community College

Department:                         Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) Division

Reports to:                             Professor, Biology / USFS Public Lands Corp (PLC)

Campus Location:                   Cleveland, TN- Cherokee National Forest South Zone

Salary:                                     $46,683 annually ($23.94/hr) *One (1) Year Grant Funded Position (365 days from date of hire)

Moving Allowance:                  N/A

Cleveland State Community College is a comprehensive, two-year post-secondary institution, located in Cleveland, Tennessee. Cleveland State is committed to providing open access and quality education to all students. A Tennessee Board of Regents institution, Cleveland State is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). At Cleveland State, our mission is to build strong minds, careers and communities through exceptional teaching and learning, workforce development and service. We wish to hire individuals with similar values who can help us accomplish those goals.

GRANT OVERVIEW

The United States Forest Service (USFS) has partnered with Cleveland State Community College to offer a grand funded Lead Aquatic Biology Technician internship.  The lead technician intern will serve the Cherokee National Forest South Zone Aquatics Program. 

Upon completion of the internship, the successful candidate will be provided with Public Lands Corps hiring eligibility.  For additional information regarding the Public Lands Corp (PLC) hiring opportunities, visit the US Forest Service website at USDA.gov.

For more information about this opportunity, you may contact the Cherokee National Forest Zone Hydrologist, Nancy Gibson at Nancy.Gibson@usda.gov or Professor Robert Brewer (CSCC) at rbrewer@clevelandstatecc.edu.

Funding Overview:

Please note that this position is grant-funded, and employment is contingent upon the availability of grant funding.  Funding for this position is only guaranteed based on the provisions of the grant and does not ensure employment beyond the duration of the grant contract.  Grant-funded positions may be terminated at any time due to a lack of funding resources or other provisions as outlined in the employment contract signed by all employees of Cleveland State Community College.

This position is limited to current or former Cleveland State Community College students.

JOB SUMMARY

The Lead Aquatic Biology Technician Intern will primarily focus on aquatic and watershed restoration in addition to gaining experience in multiple resource management programs with the United States Forest Service (USFS).  This position will represent the college and be directly supervised by Cherokee National Forest staff.

Tasks will be conducted within the South Zone of the Cherokee National Forest (Ocoee Camp; Tellico Ranger Districts, or Supervisor’s Office).  The primary duty station will be the Ocoee Ranger Station; however, technicians may be asked to report to any duty station throughout the duration of the internship.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Independently work within terrestrial and aquatic habitats.
• Support the fisheries and watershed restoration and monitoring program.
• Collect data pertaining to fish population dynamics.
• Assist with hellbender monitoring surveys, macroinvertebrate biomonitoring, and physical stream habitat surveys.
• Coordinate, direct, and lead the objectives of projects, ensuring deadlines are met.
• Ensure data collected in the field is properly scanned and entered into the CNF aquatics database.
• Train fellow technicians in field work standards, including physical and biological habitat surveys.
• Perform fisheries habitat enhancement projects.
• Participate in stream restoration projects.
• Establish monitoring protocols and techniques to assess stream health and aquatic biological communities.
• Report accomplishments to the Forest Service Zone Hydrologist through spatial data and written reports.
• Assist with educational outreach efforts and engage with the public and school systems.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ability to work within various habitats and environmental conditions.
• Proficient oral and written communication skills and strong organizational skills.
• Willingly engage in other resource areas including wildlife, botany, timber, fire, recreation, and engineering.
• Willingness to work a rotating schedule consisting primarily of Monday-Friday with a standard schedule of four (4) ten (10) hour workdays during peak season. 

EQUIPMENT

• Utilize various hand tools and scientific equipment including but not limited to electrofishing equipment, battery powered pruners, power drills, grip hoists, etc.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS / QUALIFICIATIONS

• High School Diploma or High School Equivalency Diploma.
• Must be a current or former student of the Cleveland State Community College Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries Program.
• You must possess a valid driver’s license.  This position requires a good driving history to be issued a certification to operate a Forest Service vehicle.

JOB LOCATION

• The South Zone of the Cherokee National Forest Ocoee Ranger Station is the primary duty station.

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Applicants may be subject to a background and credit check.

Special Instructions to Applicants: 

To be considered for a position at Cleveland State, you must create an on-line application.  Your skills, abilities, qualifications, and years of experience will be evaluated using only what is recorded on your application.  Work experience that is not listed on the application will not be considered towards compensation. 

Please note the following: 

• Attaching a resume does not substitute for completion of the application form.
• Part-time work experience is calculated at 50% of full-time experience. 

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Cleveland State offers a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to the following:

• Insurance: Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability (long and short term), FSA/HAS
• Wellness Incentive Program (if enrolled in health)
• Educational Assistance: Fee Waiver, Spouse/Dependent Discounts, Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Longevity Pay
• Retirement Options: State of TN Pension (TCRS), 401a, 401k with $50 match, 403b, and 457
• Fourteen (14) Paid Holidays/Year
• Sick and Annual Leave
• Sick Leave Bank
• State Employee Discount Program with over 900 merchants

If you are interested, click on the link to apply. 

Applications can be assured full consideration if submitted by April 14, 2025. 

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Cleveland State Community College is a TBR and EEO employer and does not discriminate against students, employees, or applicants for admission or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or any other legally protected class with respect to all employment, programs, and activities.