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Idaho Fish and Game

Fisheries Technician

    • Nampa Fisheries Research
    Application Period: -
    Employment type: Temporary/Seasonal/Part Time
    Salary: 18.61
    Employment Dates: to

About the position

The successful candidate will be working with Idaho Department of Fish and Game staff as a member of the Integrated Chinook Salmon Broodstock research project and the Snake River Sockeye Salmon Captive Broodstock program. 

Supplementation efforts use hatchery production to increase the abundance of naturally spawning fish.  However, concerns have arisen surrounding the risks of supplementation to the natural population.  The use of integrated broodstocks allows supplementation of depressed fish populations while minimizing genetic divergence between hatchery and recipient natural stocks. In 2010, integrated broodstock programs for Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) were initiated at the Sawtooth, Pahsimeroi, and McCall fish hatcheries. The Integrated Chinook Broodstock project is responsible for annual monitoring and evaluation of three integrated broodstock programs and implementation of studies to improve their effectiveness. 

Snake River Sockeye Salmon (O. nerka) were listed as Endangered in 1991. A captive broodstock and genetic rescue program was developed to recover this unique stock. Extinction has been averted but challenges remain. Summer water temperatures in the Snake and Salmon rivers are frequently warm enough to negatively affect the survival of Snake River Sockeye Salmon as they return to spawn. To help mitigate these losses, a portion of the run is collected at Lower Granite Dam and trucked back to Idaho for inclusion in the captive broodstocks or released into their natal lakes to spawn.

This position provides ideal experience for those pursuing a career in aquatic and fisheries sciences. The incumbent will participate in a variety of different field sampling activities in diverse settings and will be exposed to fish management, research, hatcheries, and conservation.  The work takes place in some of Idaho's most beautiful and popular outdoor destinations.

General Information
This position involves walking or kayaking several miles over rugged terrain and along stream banks; navigating swift water; standing and working in cold water for up to eight hours per shift; lifting and carrying equipment weighing up to 60 pounds with occasional lifting and carrying up to 100 pounds for short distances; working under water using snorkel equipment; working in inclement weather conditions. This position involves standing for long periods of time.

This work environment for this position is variable and ranges from an office setting to an outdoor setting primarily in rivers and streams. A portion of the fieldwork will take place in a hatchery setting and will require hauling fish for up to eight hours drive time.

Incumbents will be required to travel to remote locations for fish tagging, trapping, or sampling operations. Most field operations will take place in Lewiston, Stanley, McCall, and May, Idaho. In most cases, overnight travel will be expected, and accommodations may include tents, camp trailers, bunkhouses, or hotels. Some weekend work will be required.

Approximate start and end dates are June 15 to November 13.
Qualifications
At a minimum, applicants should have some knowledge of life history, anatomy, and ecology of various fish species and an interest in fisheries research and management. The incumbent must have a valid driver's license.

Desired qualifications include enrollment in a fisheries, wildlife, or related undergraduate program; the ability to collect and manage data; navigate with topographical maps/GPS; work well independently and as part of a team; good handwriting; attention to detail; mechanical skills and professional conduct are all competitive qualities.
Responsibilities
Primary responsibilities for the Chinook Salmon program are conducting spawning ground surveys in the Salmon River basin. This includes, but is not limited to, gear preparation and maintenance, collecting biological data from Chinook Salmon carcasses (e.g., length, marks, tags, sex), collecting samples (e.g., tissue, ageing structures), accurately record data, and enter data into a variety of databases. Additionally, the incumbent will be expected to assist with hatchery trapping and spawning activities, tagging operations, and sample collection within the hatchery setting. To a lesser extent, incumbent may be asked to collect fish by seining, electrofishing, gillnetting, or trawling; operates fish traps to collect fish movement data; summarizes and reports on biological information collected; inputs and retrieves data using a computer.

Primary responsibilities for the Sockeye program include loading and hauling Sockeye Salmon from trapping location to hatchery facilities, basic maintenance and repair of fish hauling equipment, monitoring fish health and environmental conditions in holding tanks, and maintaining strict biosecurity protocols.

How To Apply

  1. Applicants must first register with Idaho Department of Labor (Reference Job Number 2536609) at https://labor.idaho.gov.
  2. Complete an IDFG application for temporary employment (https://idfg.idaho.gov/jobs/application-temporary).
  3. Submit a letter of interest, resume, three professional or academic references, and a completed IDFG Application for Temporary Employment to: darcy.mccarrick@idfg.idaho.gov 

Darcy McCarrick

Idaho Department of Fish and Game

1414 E. Locust Ln.

Nampa, Idaho 83686

darcy.mccarrick@idfg.idaho.gov

 

Contact: Darcy McCarrick
Email: darcy.mccarrick@idfg.idaho.gov
Phone: 208-854-8922

EEO/Veteran’s Preference. If qualified applicants are found, this announcement may close before the listed closing date.

URL: https://idfg.idaho.gov/jobs/application-temporary

Contact: Darcy McCarrick
Email: darcy.mccarrick@idfg.idaho.gov
Phone: 208-854-8922