Fisheries Technician 1 – Cowlitz Falls Fish Facility Night Technician

Description: 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 on the nightshift work alone conducting repeated facility inspections to monitor and adjust facility operations to optimize fish collection and health, collect and remove debris, document work and facility activities in log book, maintain sampling equipment, record and enter data, perform housekeeping duties and 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.

Other beneficial skills include the ability to identify juvenile salmonids, the knowledge of juvenile salmonid life history, understanding basic biological needs of salmonids and computer skills (Windows, Microsoft Word/Excel).

Responsibilities: (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.)

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.

Assess and communicate mechanical and biological conditions that may impact fish health. Respond appropriately to abnormal conditions. Call standby personal as needed to help address critical situations.                                                                 

Qualifications: 

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:

Valid driver’s license

Lift 40-50 lbs.

Maintain facility and equipment

Additional Desirable Skills:

Trap/weir

Fish species ID skills

Compile and collect neat and accurate data

Oral communication skills

Written communication skills

Learn more and apply here.