Fisheries Technician 1 - Cowlitz Falls Fish Facility (21-1069

Location: Randle, WA (98377)

Anticipated Start Date: March 12, 2021

Position Type: Seasonal (6+ months, but less than 12 months), Hourly/Non-Exempt

Benefits Eligible: Yes | www.psmfc.org/benefits

Salary Target: $15.00-$17.00/hour, DOE

Job Number: 21-1069

How to Apply: Online by clicking on the green "Apply Externally" button.

Closing Date: February 25, 2021 at Midnight PT

Staffing of the Cowlitz Falls Fish Facility from March 12, 2021 through the end of September 30, 2021. This is a day shift position typically working a 12-hour/4-day schedule, followed by 4-days off. Since this is a rotating schedule, this position will require working some weekends and holidays, and provide fill-in flexibility for other shifts at the facility, if needed

Location: The Cowlitz Falls Fish Facility and Cowlitz Falls Dam on the Cowlitz River, at 1377 Falls Rd., Randle WA, 98377. The facility is in a remote location about 15 miles southeast of Morton, WA

Duties: The Cowlitz Falls Fish Facility is a key component of the program to re-establish anadromous populations of spring Chinook, Coho and Steelhead in the upper Cowlitz river watershed. Smolts collected at the facility are transported to the lower Cowlitz River and released to continue their oceanward migration. Most work will take place at the fish facility and is part of a cooperative project with Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC), who employs the incumbents and Tacoma Power, who supervises the employees. Incumbents must be able to work days, nights and/or weekends, in inclement weather, exposed to noise, water and heights (in and outside of the facility) and must follow all safety rules. Incumbents will conduct repeated facility inspections to monitor and adjust facility operations to optimize fish collection and health, collect and remove debris, maintain and construct sampling equipment, help sample and mark fish, record and enter data, follow directions and established protocols.

The candidate should be skilled in accurate, legible, reliable data recording, and have the physical agility to negotiate steps, ladders and walkways in confined spaces in and around facility. The candidate should also have the ability to communicate clearly, the ability to work alone and to work well with others as a team member.

Also helpful are skills in identifying juvenile salmonids, the knowledge of juvenile salmonid life history, know salmonids response to anesthetics and stress and have computer skills (Windows, Microsoft Word/Excel).

Essential Functions:  (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.)

Knowledge Required by the Position:

At the lower end of the range, employees use knowledge of basic arithmetic, reading, writing, and data collection to perform routine or repetitive tasks. 

At the upper end of the position range, employees use knowledge of the basic principles and protocols of fish biology to make readings, measurements, and observations; execute tests; collect samples, etc.  If complex equipment systems are operated, the employee has the knowledge to perform calibrations or adjustments to achieve desired results. 

Additional Mandatory Skills:                         

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.

Work Environment:

A portion of the work is performed in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating and ventilation. The majority is performed inside and outside of the fish passage facility. Incumbents may work on narrow, elevated walkways and platforms that are over or adjacent to water.

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.