Survey Technician (Diver)

NV5; South Lake Tahoe (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Marine Taxonomic Services, Ltd. (MTS), an NV5 company, seeks a Survey Technician for field and lab marine biology tasks. The role involves diving and topside support across San Diego and South Lake Tahoe, with equipment handling and data management responsibilities.

Required Open Water Diver certification, DAN membership, and ability to perform heavy lifting in outdoor, cold-water environments. Join a team dedicated to protecting natural resources through rigorous field work.

Qualifications

• Open Water Diver certification required.
• DAN membership and DAN master insurance coverage.
• Ability to perform heavy lifting (50+ pounds).
• Ability to work in cold water conditions and long hours outdoors.
• Self-directed and capable of teamwork in field projects.

Responsibilities

• Carry out field and lab tasks with minimal supervision within timelines and budgets.
• Diving and topside support for projects across San Diego and South Lake Tahoe.
• Load/unload equipment and supplies for field work.
• Collaborate with Project Manager on project tasks.
• Lab work on benthic infauna samples and data management.
• Coordinate field tasks, boat/trailer operations, and equipment needs.
• Maintain equipment and ensure safety and efficiency in mobilization.

Skills

Open Water Diver

DAN membership

Heavy lifting

Physically demanding outdoors

Self-directed work

Job description

NV5 is a provider of engineering and consulting services to public and private sector clients, delivering solutions through six business verticals: Testing, Inspection & Consulting; Infrastructure; Utility Services; Environmental Health Sciences; Buildings & Program Management; and Geospatial Technology. With offices nationwide and abroad, NV5 helps clients plan, design, build, test, certify, and operate projects that improve the communities where we live and work.

As engineers, architects, construction/program managers, environmental professionals and beyond, we play a significant role in shaping our communities through the services we provide. We are looking for passionate, driven individuals to join our team focused on Delivering Solutions and Improving Lives .

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.

Our Mission

To embody a purposeful, values‑centered company whose success is built on

• the success of its employees
• the ability to make an impact in the communities we serve
• and the goal to leave a legacy of improving the world we live in so future generations can live healthier, happier lives

Our People

We work hard.

We play hard.

We strive for the highest level of performance.

We learn through adversity.

We acknowledge excellence.

We are human.

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.

Responsibilities

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

Qualifications

Professional Requirements and Certifications

Required

• 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

• 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 bo