Fisheries Technician 2- Eagle Fish Genetics Lab - Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission

Description

Position/Project Specifics:

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is seeking a highly motivated individual to assist the Idaho Department of Fish and Game's Eagle Fish Genetics Lab in Eagle, Idaho.

Duties of this fisheries technician position will include assisting staff with collecting, organizing, and inventorying fish tissue samples and collections, conducting genetic laboratory analyses including DNA extractions, genotyping and sequencing, and performing QA/QC procedures.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must remain motivated completing repetitive tasks throughout the year, while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

This position will also help with spawning and taking genetic samples at hatcheries and in the field.

A range of experience and education may be presented. At minimum, candidates will have a B.S.

degree in fisheries, biology, wildlife, or related field, with preference for individuals that have sa working knowledge of laboratory skills such as pipetting and preparing laboratory solutions and experience with word processing, spreadsheet, and database software.

Highly preferred candidates will have experience in standard molecular techniques (DNA isolation, PCR, genotyping and sequencing).


Essential Functions:

• Lead and participate in survey crews that conduct fishery presence/absence research, recreational/commercial fishing surveys, anadromous fish escapement surveys (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.
• Lead and participate in crews engaged in captive fish rearing activities including spawning, incubating, feeding, sampling, sorting, handling, medicating, anesthetizing, and transporting fish. 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.
• 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, organize and provide access to databases. Write memoranda and short reports for transfer of data. Produce summaries including corrections. Produce presentation quality tables and graphs of data.
• Perform precision ageing of two to four different species of fish in a laboratory setting. Record age and growth data in the appropriate format; summarize and input data. Collect and organize biological samples and collections. Document ageing problems, techniques and results in annual production ageing reports. May assist with preliminary data summaries and analyses, or technical report writing.

Knowledge Required by the Position:

• Knowledge of fishery biology (including knowledge of particular species of fish).
• Knowledge of fish husbandry.
• Knowledge of aquatic habitats.
• Knowledge of the scientific method.
• Knowledge of sampling protocols.
• 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.
• Knowledge of technical writing protocols.
• Knowledge of basic math.

Employees have the knowledge to resolve common technical or procedural problems for themselves or their work crew.

They are able to assess or interpret the significance of their results and relate that to the overall objective of the project.

They have the knowledge to outline, organize and execute the details of projects where unusual or irregular procedural or technical problems arise.

Additional Mandatory Skills:
* carcass and redd surveys
* electronic detection technol.
* able to swim
* lift lbs.
* valid driver's license
* hiking
* camping
* operate GPS
* habitat typing
* habitat monitoring
* fish ageing (scale, otolith, other)
* fish species ID skills
* operate handheld data recorder
* 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-including walking, climbing stairs and ladders, reaching, lifting, bending, and strenuous sweeping-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:
A majority of the work is performed in an office/ lab setting with adequate lighting, heating and ventilation.

A portion of the work is performed in fish processing labs, fish holding areas, fish processing plants, 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.