| Job Description: |
PACIFIC STATES MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION POSITION DESCRIPTION
Title: Fisheries Technician 1- Chinook & Steelhead Sampling
Job duties:
Assist project biologist with field sampling, data analysis, and logistics related to monitoring and evaluation of natural origin Chinook Salmon and steelhead trout. Sampling will occur both in remote headwater locations and at federal hydropower facilities. This technician will supervise four field technicians and will ensure accurate data collection and database management.
The incumbent will work on two major projects: life history monitoring at Lower Granite Dam, WA, and monitoring natural origin Chinook populations in the South Fork Clearwater River, Idaho.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with redd and carcass surveys
- operation of rotary screw traps
- operation of instream weirs
- insertion of PIT tags
- management of PIT tag data, and summary and analysis of fisheries datasets
Required Qualifications:
- Incumbent must be comfortable with management of large a fisheries databases using Excel, Access, and other relevant programs, such as P3.
- Superior capacities for leadership, organization, and field sampling abilities are required.
- Rigorous field work is required of this position, and the incumbent must be able to hike long distances, and handle loads of up to 80 pounds over short distances.
Education Qualifications
At least 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 (course of study in fisheries sciences or related field preferred). An equivalent combination of experience and education is also qualifying.
Supervisory Controls:
At the lower end of the range, the supervisor or higher graded employee assigns specific tasks and provides clear, detailed, and specific instructions on the methods to be used in completing those tasks. An experienced employee is available to solve problems that might arise.
At the upper end of the range, the employee receives daily, weekly, or even monthly directions and is expected to independently perform the recurring work. Within established procedures, the employee independently performs tasks sequences. Direction is available when technical or procedural problems are encountered.
In all cases, supervisors review overall project progress to insure that the employee works effectively and produces a high quality end product.
Guidelines:
Guides may be regulations, maps and charts, sampling and survey methodologies, standing operating procedures, emergency response protocols, oral instructions, equipment or instrument manuals, hardware/software manuals, and/or fish identification keys.
At the lower end of the range, the guides are directly applicable, specific, and used repetitively. At the upper end of the range, the guides often require careful study or cross-referencing to locate the applicable rule or answer and can involve some interpretation or judgment to resolve the issue.
Complexity:
At the lower end of the range, tasks are clear-cut and directly related. There is little or no choice in deciding what needs to be done. Actions to be taken or responses to be made are readily discernible.
At the upper end of the range, duties often have steps or processes that vary depending upon factors such as the reason the work is being performed or the conditions under which it is being performed. The employee has to be independent in recognizing such differences, choosing the right course of action, and then executing the proper sequences to complete the work.
Scope and Effect:
The employee's work affects the quality of day-to-day operations of a significant, ongoing program. Operation of equipment outside of prescribed ranges can cause serious injury or death to employee(s) and/or thousands of fish. Incorrectly collected or processed biological samples or statistical data can result in faulty assessments and unsound management decisions.
Personal Contacts:
Contacts are with project/program co-workers, project supervisor, program manager, PSMFC HR staff, landowners, and the general public.
Purpose of Contacts
Contacts are established to exchange information, request repairs or supplies, update and inform others of changes or problems encountered, and assure that scientifically correct methods and procedures are being followed.
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 hiking, carrying equipment, swimming, and/or standing may be required. Camping out for extended periods may be required. Some work requires the ability to maintain footing in fast-moving water.
Work Environment:
A portion of the work is performed in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating and ventilation. The majority is performed in fish processing labs, fish holding areas, and/or in the field. Incumbents 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, 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.
PSMFC is an EEO/AAP employer. We maintain a drug free workplace.
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