Fisheries Technician 2- Idaho Steelhead Monitoring

The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is recruiting candidates to fill the role of Fisheries Technician 2 in Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s Natural Production Monitoring/Wild Salmon and Steelhead Monitoring and Evaluation Studies.

 

These projects monitor the abundance and distribution of Idaho's Endangered Species Act (ESA) listed wild salmon and steelhead. The incumbent will perform the following including leading crews of other employees during snorkel surveys, rotary screw trap operation, picket weirs, and spawning ground surveys. Other duties may include electrofishing and other fisheries related surveys. Knowledge of PIT tagging protocols, fish identification and biological sampling are preferred. Office duties will include data organization, data quality control, database management, equipment maintenance, summarization of data for reports, and production of presentation quality tables and graphs of data. Incumbent will be responsible for scheduling field operations/personnel as well.

Applicant should possess a B.S. degree in Fisheries, Wildlife, or closely related field. Additionally, the applicant 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. Applicant should be detail-oriented, organized, self-motivated, and able to work independently with little supervision. Previous experience with rotary screw traps, snorkeling, field crew supervision, and electrofishing is preferred. Applicants should be proficient with word processing software, spreadsheet software, and databases. Applicants must be able to lift up to 60 lbs, pack up to 40 pounds for several miles, and walk up to 8 miles a day in streams and on trails. Applicants will be required to work variable shifts in all types of weather conditions including but not limited to; 8-10 consecutive days, overnight stays in travel trailers at remote sampling locations, and weekend/holiday work.

 

 Essential Functions: 

• 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, and/or signs of parasites, diseases or pathogens, fin clips or tags.
• Lead and perform data entry for data from recovered tags, representative biological samples, telemetry devices, oceanographic data, fish tickets, commercial landing estimates, logbooks, scale cards, port sampling, onboard observers, etc. Error check the data, maintain and update database, analyze and organize data in the appropriate format (table, spreadsheet, memorandum, or report) necessary for transfer to individuals, agencies, and organizations. Modify software programs and perform data queries. Prepare summary reports to transfer data.
• 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 the 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: 

· operate trap/weir
· operate nets (seine, gill, etc.)