Fisheries Technician 1: Cowlitz River Crew Member

Group Definition: Fisheries Technicians perform duties related to the protection, preservation, propagation, and sampling of fish species and the preservation or enhancement of their habitat. They use knowledge of procedural requirements and processes to support the technical work of their unit. They provide practical technical support to research, operations, or program administration efforts.

Position/Project Specifics: The successful candidate will be working with Tacoma Public Utilities staff at the Cowlitz
River Hydroelectric Project in Salkum, Washington. The candidate's main responsibilities will be assisting with the operations at the Adult Separation Facility at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery and the Mayfield Dam Juvenile Fish Passage Facility.

The Adult Separation Facility is part of a trap and haul program where salmonids are enumerated and checked for species, sex, marks and tags, and distributed to either broodstock for hatchery needs or transported around the dams to spawn naturally. This
environment is wet, cold at times, and fast-paced.

The Mayfield Dam Juvenile Fish Passage Facility is the location where all juvenile salmonids are captured and enumerated as they migrate from the Tilton River basin. Candidates must be able to work weekends during certain times of the year, in inclement
weather, exposed to loud noises, and in a wet environment. Juvenile and adult salmonid identification experience desired but not required. Applicant should be competent with data recording and knowledgeable with data management.

The candidate will also be responsible for collecting essential trap information, provide accurate data research, and creating reports for fisheries managers. Microsoft Access and Excel are used daily, and accuracy is important since queries are often shared with
other organizations. This position will assist with office and conference room needs as well as keeping all work areas clean and presentable. This position often works with others and needs to have a positive attitude.

Essential Functions: Included in this band are skilled technician positions. Some functions performed by employees can be identical to those performed by fishery biologists at the entry-level or advanced entry level.(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.

• Participate in survey crews that conduct fishery presence/absence research,
  recreational/commercial fishing surveys, anadromous fish escapement survey
  (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, fin clips or tags, and/or signs of
  parasites, diseases or pathogens.
• Crew may also monitor the status of facility systems and equipment, fabricate,
  construct, and maintain systems.
• Gather research data and organize information from fish samples or experimental
  projects.
• Assist crew in regular facility inspections including, for example, dewatering
  equipment, pumps, flumes, gates, tanks, screens, filters, gate wells, and/or tag
  interrogation equipment.
• Crew may also monitor and maintain water quality levels. Record findings and
  adjustments made.
• Provide input for facility improvements. Respond appropriately and immediately to
  emergencies.
• 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 and organize databases.
• Write memoranda and short reports for transfer of data.
• Produce summaries including corrections. Produce presentation quality tables and
  graphs of data.

Knowledge Required by the Position: Knowledge of personal computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets,
email, publishing software, presentation software, database software, topographic software, bibliographic software, and statistical analysis packages.

Knowledge of basic math.
They can assess or interpret the significance of their results and relate that to the overall objective of the project.

Additional Mandatory Skills:

• Mark Fish
• Valid driver's license
• Fish species ID skills
• Oral communication skills
• Compile and collect neat and accurate data
• Written communication skills

Additional Desirable Skills:

• Lift 40-50 lbs.
• Electronic Detection Technology
• CPR/First Aid
• Literature search/review
• Trap/Weir
• Repair and maintain equipment

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 may be required.

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 areas that will be wet and cold. Incumbents may work on narrow, elevated walkways and platforms that are over or adjacent to water.

PSMFC is an EEO/AAP employer. We maintain a drug free workplace.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

A range of experience and education may be presented. 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.

• 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