Fisheries Technician 2- Fish Health Lab

Position/Project Specifics:

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is seeking a highly motivated individual to assist the U.S. Geological Survey as a fish health technician at the Fish Health Laboratory. The work will primarily include conducting research on diseases and parasite ecology with a focus on anadromous salmon within the Lake Washington watershed. The research will comprise a combination of field work around Lake Washington, sample processing at the fish health lab in Seattle, and conducting experimental studies within the wet lab facility in Seattle.

The primary responsibilities of the incumbent will be to collect and analyze field samples for parasitology, which will include analysis of myxozoan parasites. Experience with PCR, genetic sequencing microscopy, and fish necropsy is necessary. The position is based in Seattle and will require field work within the area of the Lake Washington watershed. Experimental studies in the Seattle wet lab will require fish husbandry, planning and setting up experiments in fish, fish necropsy and tissue sampling, and following animal care protocols. The incumbent will help design experiments, collect and analyze data, and contribute to writing papers in peer-reviewed journals. Responsibilities will also include helping to support other fish disease projects in the lab, including projects with herring diseases, fish pathology, and research with threatened sucker populations.

Additionally, the incumbent will assist in supporting the development of a national aquatic animal health database (AquaDePTH). This is a collaborative USGS project to assist with the spatial and temporal tracking of aquatic disease in North America. Duties will include screening/organizing aquatic animal health data from publications and stakeholders and assisting with the development of aquatic pathogen informative biosketches.

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 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.
• 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.

 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: 

• Laboratory organization and maintenance
• valid driver’s license
• CPR/First Aid
• compile and collect neat and accurate data
• oral communication skills
• scientific writing skills

Physical Demands:

The work requires physical exertion such as bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, climbing ladders, or similar activities. The incumbent should be able to lift up to 40 pounds. Additionally, the work requires above average manual dexterity and coordination, necessary to perform common laboratory techniques and safely negotiate wet floors.

Work Environment:

Work is based at the Western Fisheries Research Center located near Magnuson Park on Lake Washington. The incumbent conducts a combination of office, laboratory, and field work. The office and laboratory are adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. Temperature and weather extremes and field work at night (on boats at times) may be encountered in the performance of outdoor work. Field and laboratory duties may require the use of special protective gear. The incumbent is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow coworkers, or property with which entrusted.

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.