Fisheries Technician 1- McNary Dam

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is recruiting candidates to fill the role of Fisheries Technician 1 located at the McNary Dam in Umatilla, Oregon. This is a seasonal position with an average of four (4) hours per day. However, two (2) days a week this position will be doing Gas bubble Trauma Examinations for which the technician will work up to eight (8) hours per day.

The fisheries technician is responsible for preparing for sampling activities and must be on site at the specified time to setup the sampling/recirculating system; fill with water and anesthetic, clean recirculation filters and/or tall screens, and any other preparations as needed before crowding and sampling fish is scheduled to begin.

As fish enter the wet lab sorting area, the fisheries technician enumerates the fish, identifying species, fin clips, elastomer tags, descaling, symptoms of columnaris, scans the unclipped Chinook, Coho and Sockeye for Coded Wire Tags and records this information on tally boards and hand logs while ensuring the sampling site and equipment are clean after each sample. Upon completion of sampling, the fisheries technician is expected to dewater the system and clean the lab.

Gas Bubble Trauma exams are conducted twice a week. Training will be provided.

The work is physically demanding and requires standing for long periods of time at the wet separator, collecting fish, anesthetizing the fish collected and examining fish under a dissecting microscope for sign of gas bubble trauma. This position also requires use of proper lifting methods to lift and carry buckets of fish down ramps or stairs, remove netting and move heavy crowder screens through large holding tanks of water to facilitate sampling of fish.

The above is intended to give a general description of the day-to-day work entailed. There may be additional duties as assigned.

 

Essential Functions: (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.)

• Participate in surveying juvenile anadromous fish, fish collection, holding, and release activities, including sampling, sorting, handling, and anesthetizing fish. Make standardized observations such as species identification, length, signs of diseases or pathogens, fin clips, or tags.
• Collect and organize data such as air pressure, water quality, debris levels, etc.
• Monitor the status of facility systems and equipment. Assist in developing, implementing, constructing, and maintaining systems recommendations.
• Make regular facility inspections, including, for example, dewatering equipment, pumps, flumes, gates, tanks, screens, filters, gate wells, and/or tag interrogation equipment. Monitor and maintain water quality levels. Record findings and adjustments made. Respond appropriately and immediately to emergencies.
• Perform precision aging of various fish species in a laboratory setting. Record age and growth data in the appropriate format.
• Summarize and input biological or habitat data on field forms, electronic data loggers, and/or desktop computers.

 

Knowledge Required by the Position:

At the lower end of the range, employees use knowledge of basic arithmetic, reading, writing, and data collection to perform routine or repetitive tasks.

At the upper end of the position range, employees use knowledge of the basic principles and protocols of fish biology to make readings, measurements, and observations; execute tests; collect samples, etc. If complex equipment systems are operated, the employee has the knowledge to perform calibrations or adjustments to achieve desired results.

 

Mandatory Skills:
• Compile and collect neat and accurate data
• Fish Species ID Skills
• Oral communication skills
• Written communication skills
• Lift 40 - 50 lbs.

 

Additional Desirable Skills:
• CPR/First Aid
• Able to swim
• Operate handheld data recorder
• Specific software skills (s