Fisheries Technician 2

Group Definition: 

Fisheries Technicians perform duties related to the protection, preservation, propagation, and sampling of fish species and the preservation or enhancement of their habitat. They use knowledge of procedural requirements and processes to support the technical work of their unit. They provide practical technical support to research, operations, or program administration efforts.

Position/Project Specifics:
Join the Tacoma Power Cowlitz River Project as a Fisheries Technician 2. In this role, you will provide guidance and leadership to seasonal team members working at both the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery Adult Fish Passage Facility and the Mayfield Dam Juvenile Fish Passage Facility. This seasonal position provides an exciting opportunity to support the upstream and downstream fish passage efforts on the Cowlitz River, ensuring the health and safety of juvenile and adult salmonids while contributing to fisheries management decisions.

This position will start April 1 and conclude at the end of December, with a standard 5-day, 40-hour workweek that includes weekends starting in September.

This role is part of a collaborative project with the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC), which employs the incumbents, and Tacoma Power, which provides supervision.

Location: This position is based at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery Natural Resources offices in Salkum, Washington. The Adult Fish Passage Facility is located on-site, and the Mayfield Dam Juvenile Fish Passage Facility is just a 10-minute drive away. Most days will involve work at both trapping facilities and the office.

Essential Functions:  
This lead/mentor position offers an exceptional opportunity to support both upstream and downstream fish passage efforts on the Cowlitz River. You will be directly involved in the safe passage of juvenile and adult salmonids, contributing to vital fisheries management decisions.

• Adult Separation Facility: As part of a trap-and-haul program, you will assist in enumerating and processing adult salmonids, checking for species, sex, marks, and tags. You’ll also help distribute fish to broodstock or transport them around the dams for natural spawning.
• Mayfield Dam Juvenile Fish Passage Facility: You will work with a juvenile bypass system to capture, enumerate, and code-wire tag salmonids migrating from the Tilton River basin.                                                                                                   

During the spring and early summer, as outmigrant numbers increase, your role will be pivotal in efficiently tagging fish as they migrate out of the Tilton River system and into the lower Cowlitz River.

Duties Include:

• Identify, enumerate, and transport juvenile salmonids.
• Accurately record and input data in spreadsheets
• Maintain a clean, organized work environment and assist in facility upkeep.

Knowledge Required by Position:

• Accurately identifying, enumerating, and transporting juvenile salmonids.
• Collecting, recording, and managing data related to fish enumeration, species identification, tagging, and sampling.
• Supporting parasitic population monitoring and studies to assess and improve fish passage.                                     
• Candidates must have strong attention to detail in data management and record-keeping, as this data contributes to critical fisheries management decisions.

While proficiency in juvenile and adult salmonid identification is preferred, comprehensive training will be provided.

Additional Mandatory Skills:

• Valid driver’s license 
• Fish species ID skills
• Compile and collect neat and accurate data   
• Written communication skills
• Repair & maintain equipment

Additional Desirable Skills:

• Written communication skills
• Lift 40 – 50 lbs.
• Specific software skills (spreadsheet, word processing, database, GIS, statistical)
• Oral communication skills
• Repair & maintain equipment
• Physical Demands:

Demands can range from moderate-including walking, climbing stairs and ladders, reaching, lifting, bending, and strenuous sweeping-to rigorous.  In the latter case, the employee 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.  Camping out or living at sea in vessels with minimal amenities for extended periods may be required. Some work requires the ability to maintain footing in fast-moving water.

This position also includes general housekeeping duties, ensuring all work areas are maintained in a clean and organized manner. You will be expected to collaborate with team members, fostering a positive and proactive work environment.

This position often works with others and must have a positive, can-do attitude.

Work Environment:
The role involves working outdoors in all weather conditions, including exposure to loud noises and wet environments. Candidates should be comfortable working in fast-paced settings and adhering to all safety protocols.

Weekend work is required starting in September.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

A range of experience and education may be presented.  At the lower end of the range, candidates must present one year of Specialized Experience** OR one semester of graduate education that is directly related to the work of the position.  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 year of graduate education that is directly related to the work of the position. An equivalent combination of experience and education is also qualifying.

**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.  To be creditable, Specialized Experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. 

PSMFC is an EEO/AAP employer. We maintain a drug free workplace.