Program Coordinator 2

Overview

The Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Program Coordinator will develop capacity for early detection and rapid response to prevent or control AIS species in Western rivers, such as the Green and Colorado, with a particular focus on invasive mussel species. The successful candidate will build partnerships in the Upper Colorado River Basin at Dinosaur National Monument (DINO) and Canyonlands National Park (CANY). The Aquatic Invasive Species Program Coordinator will develop a long-term, proactive AIS program at DINO and CANY that can serve as a regional example for prevention, early detection, outreach, and partnership development for other park units and agencies that manage Western big rivers. The candidate will also work with Utah State University Biology faculty at the Uintah Basin campus to implement educational outreach to diverse stakeholders and disseminate reporting of outcomes.

Project expected outcomes include developing an independent, pro-active Aquatic Invasive Species Program through partnerships, outreach and education, and AIS monitoring and management:

• Implement routine surveys and reporting for AIS species of concern, including providing oversight and mentoring to interns, technicians, and/or seasonal staff
• Oversee implementation of DINO’s monitoring, rapid response, and communications plans and adapt them for CANY.
• Lead required environmental and cultural compliance related to AIS actions.
• Develop relationships with key stakeholders with river management responsibilities.
• Develop AIS education and outreach strategies to incentivize compliance among river users for prevention and containment efforts.
• Lead AIS regional training and education and outreach opportunities.
• Explore options to adapt new technologies, identify funding sources, and develop a pathway for long-term sustainability of the program.
• Write technical reports, publications, project proposals, plans, memoranda, and other documents that support aquatic invasive species research and management

This position is salaried, full-time with benefits, for one year, and with the potential to extend the position to three total years. Compensation is ~65k per year and is funded by a cooperative agreement between the National Park Service and Utah State University. No housing or moving allowance are provided with this position. The duty station for these positions is Vernal, Utah.

Responsibilities

• Compile, analyze, and interpret aquatic species data (e.g., angler survey, spatial, biological, eDNA, remote sensing, hydroacoustic, field sampling data) to evaluate the risk, status and impacts of aquatic invasive species and the effectiveness of control/eradication efforts.
• Develop clear, concise messages and media on best practices for aquatic invasive species prevention that target visitors, parks staff, cooperators contractors, and others.
• Provide technical and policy guidance for aquatic invasive species management in parks including disseminating relevant information from other resource management agencies, interagency or multi-stakeholder groups, and academic institutions.
• Identify and recommend appropriate methods for prevention, monitoring, control and eradication of aquatic invasive species in NPS waters.
• Develop and lead AIS outreach and education training for a diversity of stakeholders, including public users of aquatic resources
• Conduct, oversee, and advise aquatic invasive species control and eradication efforts, including supervising seasonal employees, interns, or volunteers.
• Attain CPR/Wilderness First Aid Certification and Swiftwater Safety Certification (training provided).
• Travel to field sites, driving 4WD vehicle with trailer on unmaintained dirt roads, and use rafts to access monitoring sites.
• Deploying monitoring equipment and collecting data, sometimes in adverse weather, sometimes at irregular hours, and on occasional overnight trips.
• Navigate via GPS, and river maps.
• GPS management to find and monitor or map study sites.
• Write technical reports, publications, project proposals, plans, memoranda and other documents that support aquatic invasive species research and management.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field (such as ecology, biology, fisheries management, or conservation) plus two years of relevant work experience; or a Master's degree in a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to perform aquatic fieldwork in adverse and physically strenuous conditions
• Demonstrated excellent written and oral communication skills
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to navigate complex situations with tact and diplomacy
• Ability to follow safety regulations
• Valid driver’s license to perform essential job responsibilities, such as driving university vehicles and transporting materials
• Experience driving 4WD vehicles
• Ability to lead and mentor seasonal employees, interns, or volunteers

Prefered Qualifications:

• Experience designing and conducting monitoring programs for aquatic species in general and aquatic invasive species in particular
• Demonstrated expertise and leadership in aquatic invasive species prevention, early detection and rapid response, control, containment, and eradication
• Demonstrated experience leading and conducting investigations to determine aquatic invasive species presence, abundance and distribution
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical assistance and training to resource managers, operations and maintenance staff, communications and interpretive specialists, law enforcement personnel, administrators and others on best practices for preventing the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species
• Experience developing and implementing aquatic resource management plans including plans for aquatic invasive species prevention, early detection/rapid response, control and eradication
• Experience designing and implementing outreach and education tailored for a variety of stakeholders
• Experience leading/supervising employees, interns, or students
• Professional fieldwork experience, including competency to safely navigate rafts downriver in remote wilderness areas and through up to Class III rapids
• GIS, GPS, or orienteering experience
• Demonstrated data analysis skills
• Advanced Degree (e.g., MS, PhD) in related field, such as ecology, biology, fisheries management, or conservation

Required Documents

Review of applicants will begin November 23rd. The position will remain open until filled; please reach out to Dr. Becky Williams ([email protected]) after that date to inquire about the position before applying.

Along with the online application, please attach the following documents:

Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”

A cover letter, including a summary of why you are seeking this position to be typed/pasted at the end of your application 

The names, titles, contact information, and relationship to the applicant for two professional references (not family members or personal references)

Unofficial transcripts to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary

Minimum $65,000, Commensurate with qualifications and experience, plus excellent benefits

ADA

Incumbents may be in both indoor and outdoor environments. Indoors, in an office space, event space, or public space are protected from weather conditions, but not necessarily from temperature changes. Incumbents may nearly continuously sit and often use repetitive hand motion (such as typing).

Outdoors, incumbents may not be protected from weather conditions and may be exposed to extreme heat and extreme cold. Additionally, indoor or outdoor work environments may include being confined or in narrow spaces for periods of time. The incumbent may also be exposed to loud noises or vibrations from equipment, and conditions that may affect the respiratory system, such as fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, and poor ventilation. Bending, crawling, and crouching may be required. Incumbents may be required to lift, push, and/or pull objects up to 50 pounds and be required to walk and/or stand for long periods of time.

College/Department Highlights

Dinosaur National Monument is a spectacular 211,000-acre medium-sized park with mega-park values. Dinosaur has the most complete geologic record of any national park area and an internationally renowned display of Jurassic era dinosaur bones. The rugged landscape provides diverse habitats that support a surprisingly diverse assemblage of plants and animals and critical habitat for endangered species. The whitewater rafting and magnificent scenery found in the canyons of the Green and Yampa rivers provide premier Western boating experiences. The Yampa is the only remaining large tributary in the Colorado River system that retains its free-flowing character. Dinosaur is over 90% recommended wilderness. The area receives an average of 8–10 inches of precipitation annually. Temperatures range from -20 degrees to 105 degrees. The nearby communities of Rangely, CO and Vernal, UT offer all amenities (hospital, schools, grocery, etc.). Both towns are within commuting distance (20-35 miles) of headquarters located in Dinosaur, CO and the Quarry visitor center located in Jensen, UT.

Known to many as one of the “hidden jewels” of the national park system, the geologic and paleontological resources in the monument showcase millions of years

of natural processes and associated plant and animal life. The world-renowned fossil record found in Dinosaur National Monument features thousands of high-quality specimens—particularly Jurassic period fossils. The 1.1 billion year geologic record in the monument ranges from Precambrian times to the present. A great diversity of geologic landforms—23 exposed geologic strata—is on display, including deep canyons, faults, and folds. Dinosaur National Monument also protects an exceptional biological diversity and species abundance. Much of this diversity stems from the climate and location of the monument within a regional context. The monument is located at the transition zone of multiple physiographic provinces, including the Wyoming Basin, Great Basin, central Rocky Mountains, and Colorado Plateau. This location, combined with topography and soils spanning high desert areas to riparian river valleys, gives the monument a natural palette upon which diverse life can thrive. Over 1,000 native species of plants and animals can be found within the six major vegetation communities of the monument: montane forest, montane and semi-desert woodlands, montane shrub-steppe, semi-desert shrub-steppe, desert shrublands, and riparian woodlands and wetlands. Aside from species abundance and biodiversity, the monument also protects a variety of rare, endemic, and imperiled plant and animal species, including four species of endangered fish.

Dinosaur National Monument includes four distinct river canyons that have been carved by eons of snowmelt-driven river flows from the Green and Yampa Rivers. Even more notable, the monument contains 46 miles of the lower Yampa River, the last remaining free-flowing, large river in the entire Colorado River system. In contrast, several miles upstream of the monument, the Green River is dammed and regulated at Flaming Gorge. Thus, below the confluence of the Green and Yampa Rivers, a “hybrid” river exists, consisting of input from the free-flowing Yampa and the flow-regulated Green. This living laboratory of a natural and modified river system in one park unit provides a rare opportunity for inquiry and study of river sciences.

Canyonlands National Park encompasses approximately 527 square miles in southeastern Utah on the Colorado Plateau. The area is mostly high desert characterized by eroded sedimentary rocks including several distinct types of sandstone, shale, and limestone formations. It is rugged and spectacular country. The vast and diverse geologic landscapes of Canyonlands National Park are a result of the power of rivers, the persistence of gravity, and the promise of intermittent rainfall in an arid environment. The Colorado and Green rivers wind through the heart of Canyonlands, cutting through layered sedimentary formations to form four deep and distinctly different canyons. Both rivers are characterized by gentle gradients upstream of the confluence, where “flat water” reaches are ideal for travel in canoes and kayaks. In Cataract Canyon below the confluence, numerous rocky debris flows from steep canyon walls have created a long series of large rapids where sandstone and limestone boulders present obstacles to navigation and provide an opportunity for visitors to experience a world-class reach of whitewater boating.

The Green and Colorado rivers are the lifeblood of the park, and fundamental to their integrity are clean water, native biotic communities, characteristic landforms, and the natural hydrologic, geomorphic, and biotic processes necessary for sustaining them. Four endangered native fish species make a home here. The diverse natural landscapes and rich cultural history of Canyonlands National Park provide outstanding opportunities for the scientific study of natural ecological systems and how they are affected by human use and climate in different settings over long periods of time. The confluence of the Colorado and Green rivers divides the park into four districts: (1) Island in the Sky, (2) The Needles, (3) The Maze, and (4) the rivers themselves. While the districts share a primitive desert atmosphere, each retains its own character and offers different opportunities for exploration and encounters with natural and cultural history. The four districts are not directly linked by any roads, providing incomparable opportunities to experience remote wildness and solitude.

University Highlights

As Utah’s student-centered, land-grant research university, Utah State University expands opportunity and strengthens communities across the state through learning, discovery, extension, and engagement. Founded in 1888, USU now holds two Carnegie distinctions: R1 status for very high research activity and the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. Its innovative research and scholarship is grounded in reciprocal partnerships with local, regional, and global communities, advancing knowledge and serving the public good across Utah, the nation, and the world. With over 50 world-class research facilities and the nation’s second-oldest undergraduate research program, USU prepares students to become active, civically engaged leaders who can address critical societal challenges.

USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level in 16 sports, USU is a proud member of the Pac-12 Conference, which it joined July 1, 2026. The Aggies capped a historic final season in the Mountain West by capturing nine combined regular-season and tournament titles in 2025-26, with five teams advancing to postseason play. This tradition of excellence extends to the classroom, where 232 student-athletes earned academic honors, and to the community, where USU ranked second nationally in Division I service hours, with nine teams placing in the top 10 for community service.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when it named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU.

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at 435-797-0122 or [email protected].

*updated 10/26

Notice of Non-discrimination

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

The following office has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Civil Rights & Title IX Office

Old Main Room 405

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan UT 84322

[email protected]

(435) 797-1266

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

303-844-5695| [email protected]

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800-421-3481 |  [email protected]

*updated 08/2026