For more information, please follow this link: https://www.conservationjobboard.com/job-listing-fish-technician-1—cowlitz-river-crew-member-salkum-washington/8924391881?utm_source=ongage&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=regular%20

Salary– $16-$18/HR DOE

Position/Project Specifics:

The successful candidate will be working with Tacoma Public Utilities Staff at the adult sorting facility at the Cowlitz River Hydroelectric Project. Salmon and steelhead are collected at the top of the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery fish ladder, sorted into tanks by species, marks and tags and any fish above hatchery needs is transported upstream.

The candidate must be able to identify adult salmon and steelhead, while looking for different marks on the fish, identify juvenile salmonids and steelhead at a juvenile trap and have the ability to work in fast-paced, wet and, at times poor, weather conditions.

The crew will be responsible for collecting essential trapping information and entering data into an Access database. Other duties include assisting with the operation of the juvenile collection trap at Mayfield Dam.

Staff will be required to work weekends and at times in poor weather conditions.

This job provides ideal experience for those pursuing a career in aquatic and fisheries sciences. The work takes place in a beautiful setting on one of Washington State’s most popular river destinations.

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.)

  • Collect and organize biological and habitat samples and collections (such as scales, otoliths, ageing structures, other tissues, water quality, etc.)
  • Make regular facility inspections including, for example, dewatering equipment, pumps, flumes, gates, tanks, screens, filters, gatewells, and/or tag interrogation equipment.  Monitor and maintain water quality levels. Record findings and adjustments made. Respond appropriately and immediately to emergencies.

Mandatory skills:

  • Valid Driver’s License
  • Demonstrated field work in inclement weather conditions
  • Ability to record detailed data

Desirable Skills:

  • CPR/First Aid training
  • Fish identification keys
  • Accurate and neat data collection
  • Microsoft Access, Excel, and Word
  • Oral and written communication

Physical Demands:

Demands can range from moderate –where there is walking, climbing stairs and ladders, reaching, lifting, bending, and strenuous sweeping– to rigorous.  In the latter case, the incumbent must be able to handle buckets of water or gear weighing up to 50 pounds.  Long daily periods of standing will be required. 

Work Environment:

A portion of the work is performed in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating and ventilation.  The majority of the work is performed in fish areas that will be wet and cold.  Incumbents may work on narrow, elevated walkways and platforms that are over or adjacent to water. 

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

Preference will be given to local, qualified candidates, and qualified candidates with a B.S. in Fisheries Science or Related Major.

At the lower end of the range, candidates must present six months of General Experience* OR one year of education above the high school level that included at least six semester hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses.  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 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor’s degree with a major or at least 24 semester hours of coursework in any combination of scientific or technical courses.  An equivalent combination of experience and education is also qualifying.  

A B.S. in Fisheries Science or Related Major is preferred but not required.  A high school diploma is required for this position.

*General Experience is (1) any type of work that demonstrates the applicant’s ability to perform the work of the position or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with biological sciences or the processes of the biological sciences.

**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.