Natural Resources Job Board

Two student services contractors (SSCs) are being recruited to assist scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey’s - Great Lakes Science Center – Lake Superior Biological Station (LSBS). Candidates will primarily collect and process fisheries and limnological data during the upcoming Lake Superior cycle of the Coordinated Science and Monitoring Initiative (CSMI) funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Act. Field work will be conducted aboard the 107’ research vessel (R/V) Kiyi with lab processing and office work at the LSBS (Ashland, WI). Duties fall into three categories:

Vessel work will include assisting with deployment and retrieval of trawls, processing fish catches, recording biological data, ship crew duties, and general housekeeping. Laboratory work will include fish stomach content identification, zooplankton enumeration using a microscope, and processing of fish tissue samples. Office work will include data entry and quality control, processing fishery acoustic information with specialized software, and guided data analyses and writing for use in scientific presentations, reports, and peer-review articles. Depending on ship crew needs the candidate may be aboard the vessel for up to 70 days each field season (May to November) and for up to 24 consecutive days. Fieldwork on the R/V Kiyi routinely requires 10–12-hour workdays. Weekend work is required while working on the R/V Kiyi and inclement weather can cause work delays. Laboratory and office work is normally 8 hours per day. The LSBS is open on weekdays (7:30 am to 5:00 pm); closed on federal holidays and weekends. 

 

The R/V Kiyi is equipped with galley and living quarters; crew and biological staff live aboard the vessel at Lake Superior ports and while at anchor during cruises. The SSCs will be provided per-diem to cover meals when away from our home port of Ashland, Wisconsin. The SSCs will receive full safety training and information necessary to work aboard the research vessel. Field and safety gear will be provided. For work performed in the laboratory, lab coats, safety glasses, and surgical gloves will be provided. The student will be required to read, understand, and abide by laboratory safety guidelines. Valid passports and driver’s license are required.

SSCs are not considered Federal Employees. The SSCs will be hired as independent contractors and as such will be responsible for payment of all federal, state or local taxes (no deductions will be made by the employer). The hires will be issued a 1099 form. The student will typically work 40 hours per week. The pay rate is $20.81 per hour. Work is unavailable during 11 federal holidays. The student does not receive premium pay for work beyond 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week. Time worked beyond 8 hours and weekends worked will be compensated at the same hourly rate. Per-diem to cover meals when away from the duty station is provided.

 

Candidates should email a cover letter, resume, and copy of their college transcripts (unofficial is fine) to:

Dan Yule (dyule@usgs.gov) by 14 February 2026. For questions contact Dan at 715-682-6163. Interviews will be conducted by video conferencing during March 2026 with candidate selection soon thereafter.