Cold Water Fisheries Technicians
Location: University of Missouri, School of Natural Resources, Columbia, Missouri
Pay Rate: $16.50/hour
Hours: 40 hours/week
Start Date: Mid-May/Early June, start date flexible
End Date: September with possible extension, students that need to leave for school are welcome
Duties: Assist MU researchers from the MO Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit in collecting fish
community, habitat, and aquatic plant data in wadable cold-water streams and rivers across the state of
Missouri. Sampling will include, but is not limited to electrofishing, seining, and various riparian area sampling protocols. Researchers and technicians will work together to survey fish communities in a dozen or more different cold water stream systems, primarily in the Ozark Region. Macroinvertebrate collection will occur in the fall. Applicants will need to be available for regular overnight traveling, hotel and food provided.
Applicants are expected to be willing to learn and identify MO Ozark fish species, work as part of a team, and hike through various aquatic and terrestrial environments carrying equipment regularly. Time not in the field will be dedicated to maintaining equipment and data entry.
- Interest in learning fisheries and aquatic plant identification
- Experience sampling lotic habitats
- Experience sampling and identifying fish species
- Regular overnight travel availability (4 days in the field, 1 day in office)
- Collaborative communication skills
To Apply: Send a resume and references in one PDF, titled “2025 Fisheries Technician Application” to:
Natalie Coash
Email: natalie.coash@missouri.edu
Cold Water Research Specialist
MO Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit
University of Missouri - Columbia
Application Deadline: March 2, 2026