The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hiring five Environmental Monitoring Field Technicians for its Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Section. The positions are based in Des Moines, Iowa. Technicians will travel across the state to support water quality and biological sampling programs. The jobs are expected to start around May 15, 2025, with possible earlier start dates in mid-April. Employment will continue through late August, with a possible extension into early October.
Technicians will work on monitoring programs for streams, lakes, wetlands, and beaches. Main duties include preparing and maintaining field equipment, traveling to sites, collecting and recording data, and delivering water samples to contract laboratories. These are full-time positions, about 40 hours per week. Some field days may be longer than eight hours and may require overnight travel. The Iowa DNR will pay for lodging and reimburse meal costs during overnight stays.
Applicants should have coursework in biology, fisheries, environmental sciences, or a related field. The job requires physical strength, including lifting up to 50 pounds and working outdoors in different weather and rough terrain. A valid driver’s license is required. Experience with environmental sampling equipment and hand tools is preferred. Candidates should be able to operate, or be willing to learn to operate, a vehicle with a trailer and a motorboat…