POSITION DESCRIPTION and INTERN VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
POSITION TITLE: eDNA Field Internship Opportunity \- Freshwater Mussel (2 positions)
SALARY: Pay Range: 4
$16\.66 – 25\.93 hourly wage
DOE/DOQ
DEPARTMENT: Department of Natural Resources, Fisheries Program
LOCATION: Position is located at the CTUIR DNR\-Fisheries Program field office at the Water and Environmental Center at Walla Walla Community College in Walla Walla, WA
EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Up to 37\.5 hours weekly, with no medical benefits, limited to a 20\-week program.
(This is a grant\-funded position and is contingent upon grant funding.)
BENEFITS: Mentorship from experienced fisheries professionals
Opportunity to build a professional portfolio
SUPERVISED BY: Freshwater Mussel Project Lead
OPENING DATE: April 3, 2026
CLOSING DATE: April 17, 2026
LEARNING SUMMARY
This internship is designed to provide students/recent graduates with hands\-on learning experience with freshwater mussels and fisheries science in the field and laboratory. It is not a full\-time employment opportunity.
CTUIR MISSION STATEMENT
Exercise the Tribe’s sovereign authority to achieve the maximum protection of resources identified in the Treaty of 1855, to protect newly acquired lands wherein the Tribe has a vested interest, to protect the lands of all the citizens and residents of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. This position will protect human life, water, land, air, and wildlife by exercising professional skills and abilities in the protection of the resources of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.
DNR Mission Statement: To protect, restore, and enhance the first foods \- water, salmon, deer, cous, and huckleberry \- for the perpetual cultural, economic, and sovereign benefit of the CTUIR. We will accomplish this utilizing traditional ecological and cultural knowledge and science to inform: 1\) population and habitat management goals and actions; and 2\) natural resources policies and regulatory mechanisms.
Fisheries Mission Statement: To provide sustainable harvest opportunities for aquatic species of First Food order by protecting, conserving, and restoring native aquatic populations and their habitats.
Fisheries Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation Mission Statement: Generate knowledge regarding the biological performance and ecology of aquatic species of the First Food order in a scientifically credible and policy relevant manner to inform management and policy decisions.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES
The Freshwater Mussel Project implements research and restoration to meet the goal of restoring self\-sustaining populations of freshwater mussels to ceded subbasins and surrounding areas. The Intern will assist with fieldwork in and around northeast Oregon and southeast Washington to survey for, identify, and monitor freshwater mussel populations. Specifically, the Intern will use eDNA technology and snorkel surveys to locate populations of freshwater mussels. Work will take place in the field and the laboratory.
Working hours may be variable, and include nights, weekends, and holidays.
This job description does not state or imply that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by his or her supervisor.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1\. Must work independently on assigned tasks in the field and laboratory.
2\. Must be comfortable working in and around rivers and streams, including snorkeling and swimming in water of various depths and flows.
3\. Must complete work on a schedule and report to assigned staff.
4\. Complete data entry tasks as assigned and QA/QC field and lab data.
5\. Will attend virtual and in\-person meetings as assigned.
6\. Responsible for reading and understanding various DNR plans, policies, and visions as assigned.
7\. Responsible for completing outreach tasks for outreach events.
8\. Must be able to communicate effectively in writing and in person.
9\. Must be able to travel regionally and be eligible to drive a GSA vehicle.
10\. Must be able to work out in the field in various kinds of weather.
11\. Other duties as assigned by the Freshwater Mussel Project Leader that pertain to this position.
SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY: None
SIGNATORY AUTHORITY: None
ACCESS TO SENSITIVE AREAS: None
REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: (It is the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate in writing that he/she meets the following minimum qualifications.)
1\. Bachelor's degree in Fisheries or Aquatic Sciences or related field, OR active enrollment in undergraduate or graduate studies at an accredited university or technical institute pursuing a degree with an interest in working in the natural resources field.
2\. Must have at least two months of experience surveying freshwater mussels in the field or working with mussels in a laboratory setting.
3\. Must have broad knowledge of the freshwater mussel life cycle, biology, and ecology.
4\. Must possess and demonstrate good writing, spelling, editing, proofing, grammar, and punctuation skills.
5\. Must have extensive knowledge of computer processing equipment and software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
6\. Must be able to operate and maintain field equipment (wetsuits, waders, electroshocking equipment, drysuits, etc.).
7\. Must be comfortable hiking, swimming, camping, and working in remote aquatic field sites, alone or as part of a team.
8\. Must have the ability to carry out assigned duties/projects in an efficient and timely manner with minimal supervision and must be able to handle multiple projects and work within timelines.
9\. Must have a valid state driver's license, reliable transportation, and meet Tribal insurance requirements.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Field duties occur in remote areas throughout Northeast Oregon and Southeast Washington and require:
1\. Ability to carry/lift 40\-50 pounds for at least 100 yards repeatedly during the workday over uneven and slippery terrain.
2\. Ability to walk (2\-5 miles a day) in uneven, hilly terrain, in and along streams and rivers.
3\. Ability to work outdoors in inclement weather in and around water for extended periods.
4\. Ability to work in uneven and slippery terrain.
5\. Ability to sit and work at a computer workstation for several hours.
6\. Ability to sit in automobiles for travel to remote field sites
7\. Ability to work modified work hours, nights, and weekends.
Pursuant to Tribal Worker’s Benefit Code, Section 4\.02\.A. “All workers shall disclose any pre\-existing physical or mental disorder and/or disability that could potentially affect or impair the worker’s ability to perform in a reasonable and safe manner the activities involved in the position in which they work. Disclosure shall be made in the employment application or interview before commencing employment or before commencing new job duties after job reclassification, reassignment, promotion, demotion, or other change in job duties. The content of such disclosure shall be made promptly by the covered worker after submitting a claim for benefits under this Code.”
SELECTION PROCESS:
Tribal Personnel Policies Manual, Section 3\.01: Employment Preferences
The Tribe's employment preferences shall be as follows:
1\. Indian Preference. It shall be the policy of the Tribe to provide preference in hiring opportunities within the Tribal government to CTUIR members and to other Indians enrolled in federally recognized tribes. This CTUIR member and Indian preference shall apply to all employee hiring, promotion, and transfer decisions.
2\. Veteran's Preference. It shall be the policy of the Tribe to provide preference in hiring opportunities to veterans honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces.
3\. The employment preferences set forth in this section shall apply to all Tribal programs regardless of the program's funding source and shall apply to all classes of positions referenced in §3\.05\.
4\. Except for the employment preferences authorized under this section, it shall be the policy of the Tribe that no employee or job applicant shall be discriminated against in pursuit of employment or career growth due to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age or national origin.
All CTUIR Tribal positions are competitive. All employment applications and supportive employment materials will be evaluated based on the relevance of the applicant's qualifications and experience to this position. Applicants who demonstrate that they meet the minimum qualifications and experience most relevant to this position will be considered qualified to compete for this position and be eligible for an interview.
DRUG FREEWORKPLACE:
The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation has a “Drug Free Workplace Policy" and will conduct Pre\-Employment Drug Testing. A pre\-employment drug test is required before any employment offer is made. All tribal employees classified as safety sensitive are subject to random Alcohol and Drug testing pursuant to the Tribal Personnel Policies Manual.
Complete Tribal employment applications will be accepted until 4:00 P.M. on the posted closing date, as shown on Page 1 of this announcement, or if postmarked by that date. ONLY THOSE TRIBAL EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION PACKETS THAT ARE COMPLETE AND INCLUDE ALL REQUIRED INFORMATION, AS OUTLINED IN THE “REQUIRED EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION PACKET MATERIAL” BELOW, WILL BE CONSIDERED. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
It is the applicant's responsibility to provide sufficient evidence that they fully meet the qualification requirements.
REQUIRED EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION PACKET MATERIAL:
- Completed Tribal Employment application.
- Cover letter explaining your qualifications and experience relevant to the functions of this position.
- Personal resume identifying your qualifications and experiences relevant to the functions of this position.
- Completed CTUIR's Supplemental Application Form if applicable.
- High School Diploma/GED or copy of official college transcripts (if applicable).
- Tribal and Indian preference: Must provide a copy of Tribal Enrollment Card, Certificate of Indian Blood, or similar with a Federally Recognized Tribe.
- Veteran's preference: Must provide proof of honorable service and discharge or completed Form DD214\.
APPLICANT RESPONSIBILITY
It is the applicant's full responsibility to provide adequate evidence proving they fully meet the minimum qualification requirements. Applicants failing to meet the minimum qualifications are not granted interviews. If it is questionable as to whether an applicant meets the minimum qualifications, an interview may be granted solely to make that determination.
OBTAINAND SUBMIT APPLICATION TO:
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
Office of Human Resources
Staffing and Recruiting
46411 Timíne Way
Pendleton, OR. 97801
Phone: (541\)429\-7180
Email: HumanResources@ctuir.org
To be considered, the application package must be postmarked by the closing date.
Pay: $16\.66 \- $25\.93 per hour
Work Location: In person