Survey Technician (Diver)

Marine Taxonomic Services, Ltd. (MTS - an NV5 company) is an environmental consulting firm committed to providing innovative solutions for the management and protection of natural resources. MTS has offices in San Diego, CA; Corvallis, OR; and South Lake Tahoe, CA. We have curated a team of curious, self-motivated, and committed individuals who seek to make an impact on our immediate communities as well as contribute to the health of the planet.

The pay range for this California position is $25 per hour; however, base pay offered may be higher or lower depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience of the candidate. Full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered. This information is provided per California Senate Bill 1162. Base pay information is based on market location. Applicants should apply via the NV5 careers site.

Viable candidates will have all their own dive gear (BCD; regulator, secondary regulator, depth gauge, and pressure gauge; dive fins; mask; 7mm wetsuit/drysuit; 5mm hood; 5mm booties; 3mm gloves, and dive weights); experience working as a diver in altitude and cold water; and be available in San Diego, CA and/or South Lake Tahoe, CA.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• The successful Survey Technician will understand how to implement field and lab tasks with minimal supervision, ensuring that timelines and budgets are met in the most efficient way possible.
• Diving and topside support for various projects throughout San Diego and South Lake Tahoe, including working in poor visibility.
• Organization, loading and unloading of equipment and supplies necessary for field work projects.
• All responsibilities done in partnership with, and under the direction of, a Project Manager
• Lab work on benthic infauna samples (sorting and identification, QA/QC tasks, data entry, maintenance of chain of custody for received samples, laboratory equipment inventory)
• Understands how to implement field work tasks performing marine biological assessments, including ability to drive a boat and trailer on field work assignments, and the ability to pull together all equipment needs, all with minimal supervision
• Clean and maintain equipment such that projects can be mobilized efficiently and carried out safely
• Responsible for accurate and thorough data management, data analysis and/or minor report generation with Project Management oversight
• Responsible for meeting deadlines in an efficient manner
• Takes initiative to find the most effective processes to accomplish tasks
• Other duties in support of projects, as assigned

Minimum Requirements:

• Open Water Diver certification
• DAN membership and DAN master insurance coverage
• Ability to perform heavy lifting (50+ pounds)
• Ability to perform strenuous physical activity, work in cold water conditions, and work extended hours. This is a physically demanding and mentally taxing project in the outdoors. Field work can, at times, be tedious.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.

Preferred (in addition to minimum requirements):

• Advanced SCUBA certifications: Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, Scientific Diver, Altitude Diver, Drysuit Diver, Divemaster
• CPR/First Aid, Emergency Medical Responder, or Wilderness First Responder certification
• Motorized boating experience and/or boater’s safety course
• Use of remote mapping software
• Boat, dive gear, and small engine maintenance
• Familiarity with aquatic invasive plant control efforts in Southern California and the Lake Tahoe Basin.
• Experience with California marine species
• Caulerpa prolifera certified
• Minimum of Bachelor's Degree or 5+ work experience in related field
• 2+ years SCUBA diving experience

Viable candidates will have all their own dive gear (BCD; regulator, secondary regulator, depth gauge, and pressure gauge; dive fins; mask; 7mm wetsuit/drysuit; 5mm hood; 5mm booties; 3mm gloves, and dive weights); experience working as a diver in altitude and cold water; and be available in San Diego, CA and/or South Lake Tahoe, CA.