Fisheries Technician 1: Cowlitz River Crew Member

Group Definition:  Fisheries Technicians perform duties related to the protection, preservation, propagation, and sampling of fish species and the preservation or enhancement of their habitat.  They use knowledge of procedural requirements and processes to support the technical work of their unit.  They provide practical technical support to research, operations, or program administration efforts.

Position/Project Specifics:

We are seeking three candidates to fill three entry level Fisheries Technician 1 positions. The successful candidate will be working with Tacoma Power staff at the Cowlitz River Hydroelectric Project in Lewis County. The main responsibilities for these positions will be assisting with the operations at the Mayfield Dam Juvenile Fish Passage Facility and the Adult Separation Facility at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery. 

The Mayfield Dam Juvenile Fish Passage Facility is a juvenile bypass system where salmonids are captured, enumerated, and CWT tagged as they migrate out of the Tilton River basin. In early fall, outmigrant numbers increase significantly and additional help is needed to tag the fish safely and efficiently as they move out of the system.

The Adult Separation Facility is part of a trap and haul program where adult salmonids are enumerated and checked for species, sex, marks, and tags, and distributed to either broodstock for hatchery needs or transported around the dams to spawn naturally. This is a wet and fast-paced environment.

Candidates must be comfortable working in inclement weather, exposed to loud noises, and in a wet environment. The positions will require the candidates to be competent with data recording and knowledgeable with data management. Proficiency in juvenile and adult salmonid identification preferred, but not required.

Candidates will also be responsible for collecting essential trap information and for providing accurate data entry and research since data are often shared with other organizations. These positions will assist with office and conference room needs as well as keeping all work areas clean and presentable. These positions require working with others and the selected candidates need to enjoy working with a diversity of individuals and possess the ability to maintain a consistently positive and professional attitude.

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 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 survey crews that conduct fishery presence/absence research,
  recreational/commercial fishing surveys, anadromous fish escapement survey
  (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.
• Crew may also monitor the status of facility systems and equipment, fabricate,
  construct, and maintain systems.
• Gather research data and organize information from fish samples or experimental
  projects.
• Assist crew in regular facility inspections including, for example, dewatering
  equipment, pumps, flumes, gates, tanks, screens, filters, gate wells, and/or tag
  interrogation equipment.
• Crew may also monitor and maintain water quality levels. Record findings and
  adjustments made.
• Provide input for facility improvements. Respond appropriately and immediately to
  emergencies.
• 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 and organize 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 personal computer applications such as word proce