Fieldwork for Environmental Inventory and Invasive Species Control

Considering the county's natural environments, to map the state of the environment and promote biodiversity.

We are looking for you who want to work in the field with inventory in watercourses and lakes, in marine environments and with invasive alien species.

The work involves monitoring and mapping the environmental status within environmental monitoring and lime effect follow-up, working with biotope mapping of watercourses to provide a basis for future river restorations, as well as working on controlling invasive species to promote natural biodiversity.

The current positions are primarily located at the Environmental Analysis Unit, except for work with invasive species and marine inventories which are under the Nature Conservation Unit. The duration of the positions may vary depending on the task, but most of the work takes place from June to August/September.

A significant amount of work will be carried out at a distance from Umeå, which means that overnight stays will take place in other locations, potentially on a weekly basis.

As a government employee at the County Administrative Board, we offer special benefits regarding wellness, parental pay, pensions, etc. Please read more here.

Areas of Work

Environmental Monitoring & Lime Effect Follow-up

Your tasks will include conducting inventories primarily in watercourses within lime effect follow-up & regional environmental monitoring, some lake sampling, and terrestrial environmental monitoring may also be relevant. Some positions include work with marine environment and coastal area inventories.

Some of the aims are to provide a basis for monitoring the state of the environment and its biological status, to follow up on the effects of implemented measures, to provide a basis for future restoration measures, and to assess potential threats.

The number of positions is approximately 12, and the preliminary work period for most positions is from week 24 to the end of August or September. Some positions may start as early as May, some may start after week 24, and some may last until October.

Each position may include one or more of the following tasks:

• Inventory of fish stocks through electrofishing in watercourses
• Inventory of freshwater pearl mussels
• Inventory of fish stocks through net fishing in lakes
• Inventory of culverts regarding migration barriers
• Water and bottom fauna sampling in lakes and watercourses
• Inventory of small rodents and vegetation in the mountains
• Inventory of breeding birds throughout the county
• Sampling screening of environmental toxins.

Marine Inventory

Consists of 3 – 4 positions that may be combined with the above tasks or may be purely marine tasks.

Snorkeling and investigations from boats or with drones in vegetation-rich shallow coastal bays and river mouth areas

Inventory and species identification of underwater plants and spawning habitats for coastal spawning fish

Work with GIS and image analysis.

Biotope Mapping of Watercourses

Your tasks will include conducting inventories along watercourses to identify impacts. This may involve, for example, stretches of watercourses that are straightened/canalized and cleared of boulders and stones, as well as inventorying dams and culverts that constitute migration barriers. The purpose of the work is to provide a basis for future restoration measures. To some extent, manual restoration of watercourses and electrofishing may also be relevant.

The number of positions is approximately 2-4, and the preliminary work period is from week 24 – 39, June to September. Some positions may be extended.

Tasks

Your tasks will primarily include:

• Documenting various types of impacts along prioritized watercourses in Västerbotten County. Movement will occur on foot along the watercourses
• Compiling collected field material into report form
• Potentially manual restoration of watercourses and electrofishing.

Invasive Species

Your tasks are to combat occurrences of invasive alien species (IAS). You will also work on restoring areas that have been severely affected by invasive species. The purpose of the work is to stop the spread of invasive species and eradicate them in our protected areas.

The number of positions is preliminarily 3, where one person works from mid-May to mid-August, and two people work from mid-June to mid-August. Some positions may be longer or may be combined with previously mentioned tasks.

Your tasks will primarily include:

• Working on controlling invasive alien species (IAS) such as Himalayan balsam, giant hogweed, Tromsø hogweed, rose, flowering lupin, waterweed, etc.
• Working with brush saw/trimmer and manual control work.

Other Job Description

In all positions, it may be relevant to work with field preparations, data entry, and compiling and reporting inventory material. Other operationally related tasks may also occur. The County Administrative Board is responsible for providing necessary field equipment, field clothing, training, and introduction to the tasks. Some positions may include tasks that are part of all the described positions above.

Qualifications

We are looking for you who:

• Have an interest in working primarily with limnic and marine environments
• Have an interest in working with biotope conservation measures
• Have the ability to work in the field for extended periods
• Want to work to ensure we have natural and sustainable natural environments
• Have a B driver's license.

We consider it an advantage if you also have:

• Experience in fieldwork within the areas included in the tasks, good field experience and water experience, experience in snorkeling, experience and interest in species identification
• Good ability to move in varied terrain and watercourses, carry field equipment for extended periods, and perform tasks that may be physically demanding
• Scientific education with relevant orientation
• GIS knowledge, especially in image analysis (for marine work)
• Drone license and good experience in driving boats (primarily for marine work)

You have good collaborative skills, are responsible, and have the ability to work independently and in a group, as well as solve problems that arise. You are flexible, results-oriented, meticulous, engaged, positive, and service-oriented. We place great emphasis on personal suitability.

Conditions

The positions are seasonal employment with a start date of 260501. The duration of the positions varies, and there is a possibility of extension.