Fisheries Technician 2- Idaho Rotary Screw Traps and Tagging

Position/Project Specifics:

The incumbent of this full time/year-round position will be involved with two projects and will be stationed out of Lewiston, Idaho. During the winter and spring, the individual will be responsible for understanding and leading efforts to trap, handle, and tag ESA-listed juvenile Chinook Salmon and steelhead on large mainstem river traps that operate under Idaho Department of Fish and Game. The traps are located on the Snake River in Lewiston, Idaho and on the Salmon River in White Bird, Idaho. These trapping and tagging efforts serve to track migration timing and survival of hatchery and wild juvenile Chinook Salmon and steelhead in large rivers.

For the remainder of the year, the incumbent will lead efforts for operating automated fish-marking trailers across hatcheries in Idaho. Duties of fish marking trailers include removing adipose fins, injecting coded-wire tags, and PIT tagging juvenile Chinook Salmon and steelhead. These tasks serve to monitor and manage these fish for hatchery programs and for harvest opportunities. As a Trailer Operator, the individual will be responsible for troubleshooting and ensuring safe and efficient operations of all the equipment. For a better understanding of how fish marking trailers operate, visit the Northwest Marine Technology website: Fish Tags: Coded Wire Tag, VIE, VI Alpha - Northwest Marine Technology Inc. (nmt.us). Significant travel is required to the various anadromous fish hatcheries across the state of Idaho.

Pay rate $21.00/ hour.

 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.)
· carcass and redd surveys
· electronic detection technology
· fish tagging
· lift 40-50 lbs.
· valid driver's license
· operate GPS
· fish species ID skills
· using fish keys
· compile and collect neat and accurate data
· handheld data recorder
· specific software skills (spreadsheet, word processing, database, GIS, statistical)
· construction, fabrication, and installation skills
· repair & maintain equipment

Physical Demands:

Demands can range from sedentary, to moderate --where there is walking, climbing stairs and ladders, reaching, lifting, and bending, 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 will be required. Some work requires the ability to maintain footing in fast-moving water.

Work Environment:

Some work is performed in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating, and ventilation. Some work may be performed in fish processing labs, fish holding areas, and/or in the field. Employees may work on narrow, elevated walkways and platforms that are over or adjacent to water. Field work involves exposure to all types of weather, slippery rocks or docks, trails, irregular terrain, insects, poison oak, rough or fast-moving water, or cold water temperatures. Work at high elevations or aboard boats 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.