Fisheries Technician 2

Group Definition:  Fisheries Technicians perform duties related to the protection, preservation, or propagation of fish species and the preservation or enhancement of species 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: The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is seeking a self-motivated and high performing Fisheries Technician to assist with Rotary Screw Traps and tagging of Chinook salmon in local waterways. The position will be stationed in Yreka, CA. The individual will work with USGS, CDFW, tribal and private representatives to assist with the following four primary project components:

1. Handling juvenile Chinook salmon for research purposes
2. Inserting PIT tags into juvenile Chinook salmon following established protocols
3. Data collection and quality control of data
4. Uploading data into databases following established procedures

Essential Functions:  Included in this band are skilled technician positions.  Some functions performed by employees can be identical to those performed by fishery biologists at the entry-level or advanced entry-level.  The distinction in titling is intent.  Positions in this group and pay band are not intended to lead to higher level, professional Fishery Biologist 2 positions. 

(The functions listed below are characteristic of the type and level of work associated with this group and pay band.  They are not all-inclusive. Individual positions may perform some or all, as well as other similar work.)

• Lead and participate in survey crews that conduct fishery presence/absence research, recreational/commercial fishing surveys, anadromous fish escapement surveys (carcass, redd, trap/weir, snorkel, etc.), or tag detection and mark recovery surveys. Make standardized observations such as species identification, length, weight, behavior, growth, survival, reproductive condition, fin clips or tags, and/or signs of parasites, diseases or pathogens.
• Lead and participate in crews engaged in captive fish rearing activities including spawning, incubating, feeding, sampling, sorting, handling, medicating, anesthetizing, and transporting fish. Crew may also monitor the status of facility systems and equipment, fabricate, construct, and maintain systems. Gather research data and organize information from fish samples or experimental projects.
• Lead crew in regular facility inspections including, for example, dewatering equipment, pumps, flumes, gates, tanks, screens, filters, gatewells, and/or tag interrogation equipment. Crew may also monitor and maintain water quality levels. Record findings and adjustments made. Provide input for facility improvements. Respond appropriately and immediately to emergencies.
• Lead crew in watershed and stream assessments and habitat surveys. May include stream habitat inventories (channel typing, habitat typing, woody debris, etc.), road inventories, and riparian inventories.
• Develop and install components of naturalistic environments. Assist with analysis of the behavior of different species in simulated environments. Videotape, photograph, and record data for characteristics such as growth, health, fitness, social activity, reproductive success, foraging success, and anti-predator behavior.
• Update database by entering, checking, and/or editing biological or habitat data that has been inputted on field forms, electronic data loggers, and/or desktop computers. Maintain, organize and provide access to databases. Write memoranda and short reports for transfer of data. Produce summaries including corrections. Produce presentation quality tables and graphs of data.
• Assist pathologists with routine diagnoses of fish mortalities including necropsy and sampling for pathogens.
• Perform precision ageing of two to four different species of fish in a laboratory setting. Record age and growth data in the appropriate format; summarize and input data. Collect and organize biological samples and collections. Document ageing problems, techniques and results in annual production ageing reports. May assist with preliminary data summaries and analyses, or technical report writing.

Knowledge Required by the Position:

• Knowledge of fishery biology (including knowledge of particular species of fish).
• Knowledge of fish husbandry.
• Knowledge of aquatic habitats.
• Knowledge of the scientific method.
• Knowledge of sampling protocols.
• Knowledge of personal computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, e-mail, publishing software, presentation software, database software, topographic software, bibliographic software, and statistical analysis packages.
• Knowledge of technical writing protocols.
• Knowledge of basic math.

Employees have the knowledge to resolve common technical or procedural problems for themselves or their work crew.  They are able to assess or interpret the significance of their results and relate that to the overall objective of the project.  They have the knowledge to outline, organize and execute the details of projects where unusual or irregular procedural or technical problems arise.   

Additional Mandatory Skills:                                      

• lift 40 – 50 lbs.
• valid driver’s license
• hiking
• operate handheld data recorder
• compile and collect neat and accurate data               
• oral communication skills
• written communication skills

Additional Desirable Skills:

• repair nets (seine, gill, etc.)
• trap/weir
• mark fish
• perform creel census
• carcass and redd surveys
• electronic detection technol.
• able to swim
• load boats on trailers
• tow & maneuver trailers
• operate motorized boats
• operate non-motorized boats
• camping
• field cooking skills
• CPR/First Aid
• survival training
• operate GPS
• habitat typing
• habitat monitoring
• fish species ID skills
• using fish keys
• specific software skills (spreadsheet, word processing, database, GIS, statistical)
• underwater video camera
• construction, fabrication and installation skills
• repair & maintain equipment

Physical Demands:

This position involves mainly field work which includes standing for long periods of time, working over and around water, and driving long distances. 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.

Work Environment:

The work environment includes work at remote field sites in inclement weather that may include rain, snow, cold condition, hot conditions, and other uncomfortable working environments. Work may be conducted on the banks of streams and rivers including on or near rotary screw traps. Work may also be conducted in a fish hatchery setting where conditions are wet and cool to cold. Personal protective gear such as waders and life jackets will be provided but employees are otherwise expected to arrive at work prepared for working conditions.

A portion of the work is performed in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating and ventilation.  The majority is performed in fish processing labs, fish holding areas, fish processing plants, 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. Work at high elevations or aboard boats, research vessels, or commercial fishing vessels may be required.

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

Qualifications

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. 

Location: CDFW Yreka

Project Length: 3 months or less

Position Type: Temporary

Travel Requirements: Up to 10%

Benefits: Employees accrue sick time at a rate of 0.047/hour with a maximum of 96 hours per year. Employees also receive 12 paid holidays each year, paid time for jury duty and bereavement leave.

Driving State Vehicle – Valid driver’s license required. Offers of employment contingent upon passing driving records check.