Fish Hatchery Planning Specialist

The Coeur d’Alene Tribe is seeking applicants for a Fish Hatchery Planner to lead in the development of an anadromous and resident fish hatchery program. This position will build on work initiated by Tribal staff and consultants to develop goals and objectives for production, and to navigate and complete the three-step process outlined by the Northwest Power and Conservation Council. Upon completion of the three-step process, the position will be responsible for working with contractors and staff throughout the development and construction of the hatchery complex. Finally, the position will also be responsible for overseeing hatchery operations, supervising staff, managing fish culture activities, and adaptively managing hatchery operations to maximize success of operations and to meet established tribal goals for production and harvest.

During the planning phase, the position will be responsible for working with subcontractors to develop Hatchery Designs, a Hatchery Master Plan, Hatchery Genetics Management Plan, and Hatchery Research and Evaluation Plan, all of which must be approved by tribal leadership and cooperating federal action agencies. Upon construction of the hatchery and throughout operations, this position will be responsible for implementing the Hatchery Research & Evaluation Plan specific to the Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s aquaculture programs, and to implement adaptively managed operations based on results from the Evaluation Program. Long-term funding has been fully secured for this position.

Work performed will be under the direct supervision of the Anadromous Division Lead and in coordination with other Fisheries Program staff and the Fish and Wildlife Program Manager. Coordination with staff from partner tribes, private subcontractors, and federal and state agencies will also be necessary. Considerable latitude for independent judgement and action related to the program objectives shall be provided to the incumbent once comfort is gained with expertise and program familiarity.

Must have strong collaborative skills and the ability to adaptively manage production projects as new information is gathered throughout the duration of the program. Must be culturally sensitive to a diverse customer population and able to interact tactfully and positively with Tribal members, all levels of Tribal staff and management, and across multiple tribes with differing goals.

Must show the highest level of professional standards and promote a positive image of the Tribe and its administration at all times. Successful applicant will perform other duties as assigned to promote the efficiency and effectiveness of the Natural Resource Department. This position does not include supervisory responsibilities.

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities

Project Development

• Develop a Bioprogram for anadromous and resident fish production based on hatchery locations and resources (water availability, water quality, etc.)
• Develop a Hatchery Master Plan that considers long-term tribal goals and objectives for production and harvest of fisheries resources
• Develop a Hatchery Genetics and Management Plan in coordination with NOAA Fisheries/NMFS for a new anadromous hatchery program
• Develop/Adopt a Hatchery Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation Plan intended to assess production success and inform adaptive hatchery management and operations
• Develop/Adopt a Harvest Monitoring Program
• Assess potential aquaculture locations, including sites for the main hatchery complexes and acclimation sites
• Develop a Fish Health and Genetics Program intended to support hatchery operations and inform hatchery evaluation

Project Operations

• Oversee hatchery operations to ensure short term goals are met.
• Adhere to an adaptive management framework to ensure long term goals are being met
• Work directly with hatchery staff to implement aquaculture strategies that maximize adult returns and the overall fitness of fish and fisheries

Project Administration

• Manage scope(s) of services identified in contracts that are necessary for hatchery development
• Ensure contracts are fulfilled completely and timely

Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation

• Implement a Hatchery Evaluation Program intended to track long-term productivity
• Implement a Harvest Monitoring Program
• Draft Research, Monitoring and Evaluation (RM&E) reports under the requirements defined by Tribal administrators and federal action agencies
• Assist in gathering and entering data in the hatchery, field, laboratory, and within multiple regional databases (PTAGIS, RMIS, DART, etc).
• Author peer-reviewed scientific and professional journal articles

Coordination

• Coordinate directly with staff from Bonneville Power Administration and the Northwest Power and Conservation Council to complete the necessary steps for hatchery development and operations
• Coordinate with staff from Coeur d’Alene Tribal Programs (i.e. Fish and Wildlife, Environmental, Culture, Water Resources, and Outreach) to ensure internal projects and objectives are supported
• Work directly with subcontracted scientists and engineers on hatchery development and operations
• Coordinate with federal and state agencies to manage access and operations of acclimation sites, if necessary
• Coordinate with federal and state agencies to ensure hatchery operations, fish outplanting, and fish transport adhere to regional and federal regulations
• Coordinate with Public Utility Districts at Mid-Columbia River hydro-projects and hatcheries
• Engage in established workgroups specific to hatchery operations in the Columbia River basin (US v OR, NPCC, etc.)
• Keep Tribal staff and administration informed of project schedules, major milestones, and project deliverables

*Please Note: The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties and responsibilities does not exclude them for the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the function.

Travel

• Attend and present at (in person or remotely) aquaculture workgroups
• Attend and present at (in person or remotely) professional conferences throughout the region, the United Sates, and internationally
• Attend and participate (in person or remotely) in coordination meetings throughout the region, the United States, and internationally

Minimum Qualifying Education and Experience

• A PhD from an accredited college or university in the application of natural resource or environmental sciences (Fisheries Science preferred) AND 36 months of associated experience

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong understanding of aquaculture
• Understanding of Columbia River Fisheries management and the Federal CRSO
• Understanding of salmon management in the basin including hatchery and natural production, ESA protections, and species (native and non-native) interactions
• Strong professional writing, presenting and organizational skills
• Ability to adaptively manage with new information and under new policy pressures
• Ability to define research problems and determine extent and type of information needed
• Ability to initiate, plan, and design independent experimental research and implement results of research findings
• Ability to use statistical analytical software (SAS, R, SYSTAT, etc.)
• Ability to operate and maintain aquaculture and field equipment
• Ability to work in adverse weather conditions, often under long hours and multiple days
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse, cooperative, multi-agency and public work environment

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position will require the supervision of multiple staff, especially after aquaculture programs are in operation.

Location

This position requires the employee to work from a Coeur d’Alene Tribal office. The Tribe has offices in Plummer, ID, Coeur d’Alene, ID, and in Spokane, WA. The preferred location for this position is in Plummer, ID and Spokane, WA. Remote work is unavailable for this position.