Fisheries Technician 2

The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is recruiting candidates to fill the role of Fisheries Technician 2 in Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s Natural Production Monitoring/Wild Salmon and Steelhead Monitoring and Evaluation Studies.

These projects monitor the abundance and distribution of Idaho’s Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed wild salmon and steelhead. The incumbent will perform the following including leading crews of other employees during snorkel surveys, rotary screw trap operation, picket weirs, and spawning ground surveys. Other duties may include electrofishing and other fisheries related surveys. Knowledge of PIT tagging protocols, fish identification and biological sampling are preferred. Office duties will include data organization, data quality control, database management, equipment maintenance, summarization of data for reports, and production of presentation quality tables and graphs of data. Incumbent will be responsible for scheduling field operations/personnel as well.

Applicant should possess a B.S. degree in Fisheries, Wildlife, or closely related field. Additionally, the applicant 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. Applicant should be detail-oriented, organized, self-motivated, and able to work independently with little supervision. Previous experience with rotary screw traps, snorkeling, field crew supervision, and electrofishing is preferred. Applicants should be proficient with word processing software, spreadsheet software, and databases. Applicants must be able to lift up to 60 lbs, pack up to 40 pounds for several miles, and walk up to 8 miles a day in streams and on trails. Applicants will be required to work variable shifts in all types of weather conditions including but not limited to; 8-10 consecutive days, overnight stays in travel trailers at remote sampling locations, and weekend/holiday work.

 Essential Functions: 

• 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, and/or signs of parasites, diseases or pathogens, fin clips or tags.
• Lead and perform data entry for data from recovered tags, representative biological samples, telemetry devices, oceanographic data, fish tickets, commercial landing estimates, logbooks, scale cards, port sampling, onboard observers, etc. Error check the data, maintain and update database, analyze and organize data in the appropriate format (table, spreadsheet, memorandum, or report) necessary for transfer to individuals, agencies, and organizations. Modify software programs and perform data queries. Prepare summary reports to transfer data.
• 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 the transfer of data. Produce summaries including corrections. Produce presentation-quality tables and graphs of data.

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: 

• operate trap/weir
• operate nets (seine, gill, etc.)
• carcass and redd surveys
• electronic detection technology
• fish tagging
• lift 40-50 lbs.
• valid driver’s license
• operate GPS
• fish species ID skills
• using fish keys
• compile and collect neat and accurate data
• handheld data recorder
• specific software skills (spreadsheet, word processing, database, GIS, statistical)
• construction, fabrication, and installation skills
• repair & maintain equipment

Physical Demands:

Demands can range from sedentary, to moderate –where there is walking, climbing stairs and ladders, reaching, lifting, and bending, 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 for extended periods will be required. Some work requires the ability to maintain footing in fast-moving water.

Work Environment:

Some work is performed in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating, and ventilation. Some work may be performed in fish processing labs, fish holding areas, and/or in the field. Employees 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 or docks, trails, irregular terrain, insects, poison oak, rough or fast-moving water, or cold water temperatures. Work at high elevations or aboard boats may be required.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

Preference will be given to candidates who have completed a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree that included a major in biological science with at least 6 semester hours in aquatic subjects and at least 12 semester hours in the animal sciences. An equivalent combination of specialized experience and education is also qualifying.

**Specialized Experience is the 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.