Fisheries Technician III (FT/Temp – 3 available)

~ The life of a Kalispel is founded on being humble, generous and committed to community. ~

This is the heart of who we are. Our ancient traditions teach us to be grateful and respect what we receive from the land and from those who share it with us. We are pleased to share our homeland with you, along with our strength, spirit and commitment to a better future.

Position Overview

The incumbent of this position will work under the direction of the Fisheries Technician IV+ as a journey-level technician with a high level of independence. Duties will include assisting fisheries technicians, biologists, and program managers in data collection and data entry, and conducting fisheries conservation and management protection, monitoring, and enhancement actions.

The Fisheries Technician III will complete diverse work elements including collection of biological data and habitat conditions using established scientific principles and techniques that will guide resource management. Incumbent will assist conservation programs/projects such as fence building, planting vegetation, distributing fish, operating and maintaining equipment, gill netting, trapping, piscicide application, and electrofishing (boat and backpack).

This position is a permanent seasonal or temporary position where the incumbent will likely be required to work long, unusual hours, weekends, and occasionally holidays. This work is primarily performed outdoors and requires lifting, pulling, and hauling in all kinds of weather conditions on variable terrain. The Fisheries Technician III will also provide support to other projects and departments as needed.

Supervision Received:

• The Fisheries Technician III performs work under the supervision of the Fisheries Technician IV+ with latitude for exercise of independent judgment and decision making. Work is reviewed by the Fisheries Technician IV+ one-on-one discussions.

Supervision Exercised:

• This position exercises no direct or indirect supervision.

Responsibilities

• Conducts biological studies and inventories using established data collection techniques. Enters biological data and performs QA/QC. Assists with studies and/or research for which precedence and patterns have been established.
• Participates in sampling programs and projects designed to provide catch, effort, mortality, species composition, life history, abundance, distribution, movement, age, growth, and other biological data to inform fishery management decisions.
• Participates in netting, trapping, electrofishing, and piscicide projects designed to reduce or eliminate target non-native fish populations.
• Assists as a crew member in standardized fisheries data collection with gill nets, trap nets, boat electrofishing, backpack electrofishing, angling, snorkeling, fixed station and mobile biotelemetry.
• Participates in stream, lake, and river habitat enhancement and restoration projects including: fencing, vegetation planting, bank stabalization, instream structure placement, channel construction, road obliteration, fish passage improvement, distributing fish, operating and maintaining equipment.
• May assist with or perform other work as required.

Disclaimer: Certain Licenses and Certification requirements can be obtained once hired.

Qualifications

Preferred Skills:

• Advanced problem solving skills.
• Advanced organizational skills. 
• Advanced communication skills. 

Required Education:

• High School or better.

Preferred Experience:

• A High School diploma AND 4 years of combined education/experience as a natural resources technician or a closely related field that has provided the applicant the experience to perform this position; OR an Associates of Arts degree AND 2 years experience as a natural resources technician; or a Bachelors of Science degree in fisheries, wildlife, natural resources science, or aquatic sciences.
• Must have knowledge of Kalispel Tribal heritage and culture and the significance of fish and wildlife resources to tribal members.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently or as a member of a project or interdisciplinary team. Must have the ability to interpret and adhere to complex instructions.
• Must possess excellent verbal communication skills and be able to communicate effectively with biologists, department managers, employees, and Tribal members. Must have strong collaborative and diplomatic skills.
• Ability to identify native and non-native resident fishes of the Pend Oreille watershed.
• Must have basic knowledge of standard field methods and data collection techniques relating to fisheries work including species identification, their habitats and life histories, scientific terminology and techniques, habitat assessment, computer programs (Access, Excel, and Word) and organizing data.
• Must have knowledge of habitat restoration and enhancement techniques and safe use of hand tools, chain saws, portable winches, and comfortably work with and around heavy equipment.
• Experience with fixed station and mobile fish acoustic and radio telemetry desirable; fixed station set-up, operation, and testing, mobile tracking, and recording geospatial data on GPS.

Required Licences & Certifications:

• WA Boater Edu Card
• Drivers License
• Tribal Work Permit

Compensation: $16.34 USD per hour

Sector: Government - Tribal