USGS Student Contractor Fisheries Technicians - Oswego and Cortland, NY, United States Geological Survey
The USGS Great Lakes Science Center’s Tunison Laboratory of Aquatic Science (Cortland, NY) and Lake Ontario Biological Stations (Oswego, NY) are hiring up to four full-time (40 hours/week), 12-month Student Contractor positions to assist with fisheries research. We are looking for recently graduated (within the last 12 months) individuals who are excited to work collaboratively as part of a team. Students graduating in December 2025 are also eligible to apply. These are excellent positions for individuals looking to diversify their research experience prior to graduate school or beginning their career.
The pay rate is $20.81/hour for candidates with a bachelor’s degree, and $31.52/hour for those with a master’s degree. The start date is February 2026, but other start dates will be considered. These 12-month positions could be extended for an additional year, depending on funding (2 years maximum).
1. Fish Experimentation Positions, BS/MS (Tunison Laboratory of Aquatic Science in Cortland, NY):
- These positions will primarily work in a facility conducting experiments with live fish.
- Daily live fish care, data collection and management using innovative lab techniques and field sampling tools, occasional field surveys on research vessels, sample processing, and data entry.
- Contractors will have the opportunity to learn or enhance skills using programs such as R and GIS.
- There will be weekend and night work expected, as well as the possibility of overnight travel.
- Field gear is provided, and travel will be paid for.
2. Large Research Vessel Position, BA/BS (Lake Ontario Biological Station in Oswego, NY):
- This individual will work as part of a team and support research associated with Lake Ontario surveys conducted on the R/V Kaho (70’ vessel) working out of Oswego, NY.
- The position requires living and working aboard a rocking vessel for periods of up to 12 days, lifting 50 pounds, and working in adverse weather conditions during the day and night.
- Laboratory work includes fish age interpretation, data management, video habitat characterization and other sample processing.
- This contractor must pass a no-cost pre-employment physical, enroll in a random drug testing program and be able to obtain a passport for work in Canada.
- Field gear is provided, and travel will be paid for.
3. Information Management Position, BS/MS (Lake Ontario Biological Station in Oswego, NY):
- This individual will work with multiple research teams to collate, manage, and publish data associated with long-term surveys and research projects.
- They will also contribute to ongoing processes that are modernizing field and laboratory data collection and processing.
- This position will also perform reviews of data releases and manuscripts prior to publication.
Applicants should have an interest in taking care of fish in an experimental laboratory facility and assisting with field work aboard small and large vessels. The candidates should be familiar with the scientific process, including following methods, recording and managing data, and analyzing results. Experience operating small vessels and fabrication/repair of laboratory equipment is preferred.
To apply, send an email to Eric Bruestle (ebruestle@usgs.gov) with the subject line “Student Contractor Position” and attach your resume/CV, unofficial transcripts, and cover letter that identifies which position you prefer. We will begin reviewing applications on 12/17/25 and continue until the position is filled.
Student Service Contract Specifics
- Under the Student Services Program, USGS contracts directly with the student and students must be at least 18 years of age.
- Former students who graduated more than 12 months ago or left school without graduating are not eligible for this program.
- Students are not Federal Employees. They are self-employed and therefore required to report and pay their own taxes and social security. They will be issued a 1099 form.
- USGS employees, their spouses, and children are not eligible to participate in this program.
- The total duration for the contract shall not exceed two calendar years.
- Student hourly rates are adjusted each calendar year that Federal Employees receive a cost-of-living adjustment.
- The pay rate is commensurate with the statement of work, not the level of education. Students who have more years of study than required are not necessarily paid at a higher rate than required by the work statement.
- Contractors are paid only for hours worked, with no holiday or annual leave benefits.
- Contractors can work more than 8 hours a day or 40 hours per week; however, they get paid the same amount for each hour worked (i.e., no overtime pay rate).
- Contractors are entitled to one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked.
- Students must obtain a UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) number and register in SAM (System for Award Management (sam.gov)) before a contract can be issued to them. Be aware that this service is free. If you are asked for payment, you are not at the right site. Documentation will be provided to make the SAM process easier.
- Non-US citizens may be eligible to participate, depending on their immigration status and applicable regulations of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (formerly Immigration and Naturalization Service).