Fisheries Technician 1- Tagging Trailer Assistant

Position/Project Specifics:

The Trailer Assistant is responsible for conducting the manual adipose fin-clipping and coded-wire tagging on juvenile salmon and steelhead at nine anadromous hatcheries throughout the state of Idaho. The majority of the work is done with an automated fish-marking trailer and the Trailer Assistant is responsible for the operation of the manual section of the trailer. The Trailer Assistant will also help with the PIT-tagging operations at the nine anadromous hatcheries. Significant travel is involved working and traveling to the nine different IDFG anadromous fish hatcheries throughout the state of Idaho working collaboratively with IDFG to complete the project. Opportunity to gain extensive experience in a hatchery environment and some fish-rearing experience.

There is a potential for the right candidate(s) of moving to full year/full time employees in early December.

Essential Functions:

• Support captive fish-rearing activities including spawning, incubating, feeding, sampling, sorting, handling, medicating, anesthetizing, and transporting fish. Monitor the status of facility systems and equipment. Assist in the development, fabrication, construction, and maintenance of systems.

• 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.

Knowledge Required by the Position

• Knowledge of fishery biology (including knowledge of particular species of fish).

• Knowledge of fish husbandry.

• 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.

Additional Mandatory Skills:

• elec. detection technology
• lift 40-50 lbs.
• valid driver's license
• tow & maneuver trailers
• fish species ID skills
• compile and collect neat and accurate data
• specific software skills (spreadsheet, word processing, database, GIS, statistical)
• oral communication skills
• written communication 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.

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.