Fisheries Technician 1- Eagle Fish Genetics Lab Support

Position/Project Specifics:

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is seeking a highly motivated individual to assist the Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s Eagle Fish Genetics Lab in Eagle, Idaho. Duties of this fisheries technician position will include assisting staff with collecting, organizing, and inventorying fish tissue samples and collections, conducting genetic laboratory analyses including DNA extractions, genotyping and sequencing, and performing QA/QC procedures. To perform this job successfully, an individual must remain motivated completing repetitive tasks throughout the year, while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. This position will also help with spawning and taking genetic samples at hatcheries and in the field.

Essential Functions:  

• Make standardized observations such as species identification, length, weight, behavior, growth, survival, reproductive condition, and/or signs of parasites, diseases or pathogens, fin clips or tags.
• Collect and organize biological and habitat samples and collections (such as scales, otoliths, ageing structures, other tissues, water quality, etc.).
• Support captive fish rearing activities including spawning, incubating, feeding, sampling, sorting, handling, medicating, anesthetizing, and transporting fish. Monitor the status of facility systems and equipment. Assist in development, fabrication, construction, and maintenance of systems.
• Make regular facility inspections including, for example, dewatering equipment, pumps, flumes, gates, tanks, screens, filters, gatewells, and/or tag interrogation equipment. Monitor and maintain water quality levels. Record findings and adjustments made. Respond appropriately and immediately to emergencies.
• Summarize and input biological or habitat data on field forms, electronic data loggers, and/or desktop computers. May assist with preliminary data summaries and analyses, technical report writing, or database management.

Knowledge Required by the Position:

At the lower end of the range, employees use knowledge of basic arithmetic, reading, writing, and data collection to perform routine or repetitive tasks. 

At the upper end of the position range, employees use knowledge of the basic principles and protocols of fish biology to make readings, measurements, and observations; execute tests; collect samples, etc.   If complex equipment systems are operated, the employee has the knowledge to perform calibrations or adjustments to achieve desired results. 

Additional Mandatory Skills:  

• electronic detection technol.
• able to swim
• lift 40 – 50 lbs.
• valid driver’s license
• fish species ID skills
• compile and collect neat and accurate data
• specific software skills (spreadsheet, word processing, database, GIS, statistical)
• oral communication skills
• written communication skills
• construction, fabrication and installation skills
• repair & maintain equipment

Physical Demands:

Demands can range from moderate –where there is walking, climbing stairs and ladders, reaching, lifting, bending, and strenuous sweeping– to rigorous.  In the latter case, the incumbent must be able to handle buckets of water or gear weighing up to 50 pounds.  Long daily periods of hiking, carrying equipment, swimming, and/or standing may be required.  

Work Environment:

The majority of the work is performed in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating and ventilation.  A portion of the wokr is performed in fish processing labs, fish holding areas, and/or in the field.  Incumbents may work on narrow, elevated walkways and platforms that are over or adjacent to water.  Field work involves exposure to all types of weather, slippery rocks, trails, irregular terrain, insects, poison oak, rough or fast-moving water, or cold water temperatures. 

Minimum Qualification Requirements: A range of experience and education may be presented. A preference will be given for individuals that have a working knowledge of laboratory skills such as pipetting and preparing laboratory solutions and experience with word processing, spreadsheet, and database software Highly preferred candidates will have experience in standard molecular techniques (DNA isolation, GTSeq genotyping and Illumina-based sequencing).  

A range of experience and education may be presented.  At the lower end of the range, candidates must present six months of General Experience* OR one year of education above the high school level that included at least six semester hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses.  An equivalent combination of experience and education is also qualifying.

At the upper end of the range, candidates must present one year of Specialized Experience** OR a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor’s degree with a major or at least 24 semester hours of coursework in any combination of scientific or technical courses.  An equivalent combination of experience and education is also qualifying.

*General Experience is (1) any type of work that demonstrates the applicant’s ability to perform the work of the position or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with biological sciences or the processes of the biological sciences.

**Specialized Experience is experience that equips the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position being filled.