Seasonal Biological Technician – Fisheries

Exciting new opportunity for a Seasonal Biological Technician to join our team in Eugene, Oregon! In this full-time position, you will play a crucial part in tagging, conducting biological sampling, and releasing juvenile Chinook salmon throughout the upper Willamette River basin. Field work will consist of PIT and Elastomer tagging, on-site care for fish in holding tanks, and releasing the juvenile Chinook salmon back into the Willamette River Basin. If you have a passion for fisheries and hands-on fieldwork, we encourage you to apply!

HOW TO APPLY: https://fishsciences.isolvedhire.com/jobs/

POSITION SUMMARY

• Focus & Location: This position will primarily involve collecting field data to aid in monitoring the downstream movement of juvenile Chinook salmon in the Upper Willamette River Basin. There are two primary tasks associated with this role. The first task involves tagging and releasing juvenile Chinook salmon throughout the upper Willamette River basin. The second task entails sampling two reservoirs in the Upper Willamette River basin using various gear types to collect, tag, release, and conduct biological sampling on juvenile Chinook salmon. This position will be based out of Eugene, Oregon.
• Field Work:
  • Tag & Release – Fish will be marked with PIT tags at hatchery locations and held in raceways or indoor troughs. A subset of fish will be measured for fork length and weight. Tagged fish will be monitored to estimate tagging mortality and tag shed rates. Tagged fish will then be transported and released throughout the upper Willamette River. Tagging duties will occur from April to November of 2024.
  • Reservoir Sampling – Field work will be conducted from a boat, utilizing a variety of nets to collect juvenile Chinook salmon. Juvenile chinook will be PIT tagged or tagged with injected elastomer. Biological metrics will be captured for all species encountered. Additionally, limnological parameters such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity will be collected. Work will primarily be performed during daylight hours through November, 2024.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Fish handling.
• PIT-tagging and/or elastomer (VIE) tagging, measuring, weighing, and recording biological information on large quantities of juvenile Chinook.
• Monitoring tagged fish and transporting and releasing fish.
• Experience with P4 and PTAGIS.
• Sampling fish in reservoirs using seine, fyke, box minnow trap, and gill nets.
• Willamette Basin fish identification.
• Boat operations.
• Data entry on laptop computer and routine QA/QC of field data.
• Attention to details in sampling and safety.
• Ability to accurately interpret and follow established guidelines and protocols as you conduct data collection, entry, organization, and quality assurance/control.
• Prepare and organize the upkeep of all equipment and supplies needed for tagging and field work.
• Operate/maintain tagging equipment, holding tanks, transport tank and trailer, and fleet vehicles.
• Ability to work collaboratively with others to resolve challenges.

EDUCATION / MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Undergraduate coursework in Fisheries Science, Limnology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or related field. General knowledge of Pacific Northwest fish biology is a plus.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365.
• Valid class C driver’s license.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to swim and comfortable wading in water.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

• General knowledge of Pacific Northwest fish biology.
• Experience PIT tagging, elastomer tagging, and handling fish.
• Experience with P4 and PTAGIS.
• Experience operating seine, fyke, and gill nets.
• Experience with data management and basic data analysis.
• Boat experience.
• Trailering experience.
• Fish husbandry.
• First Aid certified.

Working Conditions

• Must be comfortable working in aquatic environments including lakes, and wading in rivers and streams.
• Must be comfortable working in uncomfortable weather conditions (hot, cold, rain, etc.).
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50lbs.
• Must be able to climb, jump, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl in a variety of weather conditions.

ABOUT CRAMER FISH SCIENCES: We are a fisheries research consulting firm serving throughout the Pacific States and Idaho. We are a growing, employee-owned company whose mission is to rigorously apply the scientific method to afford our clients innovative, scientifically robust solutions to address a variety of fisheries and environmental challenges. Our team achieves this through effective and unbiased data collection, insightful analysis and interpretation, and clear communications and publication of results in scientific journals.

COMPENSATION: $19/hour – $22/hour (depending upon experience).

ESOP: CFS is a 100% employee-owned company. Our employee stock option plan (ESOP) is a qualified defined contribution plan. Our target ESOP contribution is 5%. Eligibility is after one year of service with an entry date of Jan 1 or July 1.

DEI: Diversifying our profession is a vital and on-going journey and we are committed to fostering a culture that embraces and celebrates diversity in all its forms.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION: Cramer Fish Sciences is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability.