Fisheries Technician 2- Stream Mapping

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is seeking a highly motivated individual to assist the U.S. Geological Survey by leading a field crew in the collection of stream flow permanence and stream-road crossing assessments. The accurate mapping of streams and stream flow conditions is important to understanding the physical, chemical, and biological processes in streams and to manage land, water, and ecological resources. Stream-road crossings are one of the most unseen and prevalent threats to aquatic ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest.

The candidate will lead a team of two (self included) at various locations in Oregon to collect stream flow and road-stream crossing data. Field stints will require overnight travel between 4 and 8 days. Work will be conducted on public lands throughout the study areas. Employees will be camping with occasional hotel stays while in the field. Ability to conduct field work in streams is required. Primary responsibilities include the following: visit points and/or follow routes to locate stream crossing location survey sites by navigating on rough backcountry roads using GPS and topographic maps to accurately record site attributes by characterizing stream flow (FLOwPER) and road-stream crossings data (ROADStr) on mobile devices, drive 4-wheel drive vehicles on remote, un-improved roads, hike off trail and over rough terrain. As crew lead, the candidate will be responsible for verifying and editing biological or habitat data that has been entered on field forms and electronic data loggers. The incumbent must maintain, organize, and provide access to the database, write memoranda and short reports for transfer of data and produce summaries, including corrections of field work and data collection during field stints. This is primarily a field-based position and field sites will be in remote locations. In general, the work will be conducted during a 4-day work week and 10-hour days. Occasionally, weekend/holiday work and 8-day field stints may occur. Minimum HS degree, BS or BA preferred. Environmental, biological, or science-based degree preferred. Ideal experience would be at least one year in fisheries, wildlife, or natural resources.

Essential Functions:  

• Lead and participate in survey crews that conduct 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 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
• camping
• CPR/First Aid
• operate GPS
• compile and collect neat and accurate data
• oral communication skills
• written 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 for extended periods is required. Some work requires the ability to maintain footing in fast-moving water.

Work Environment:

A portion of the work is performed in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating and ventilation.  The majority is performed in the field.  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 may be required.

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.