Fisheries Science Technician

State of North Carolina • Pasquotank County, NC

3d

About The Position

The Fisheries Science Technician will primarily support the North Carolina Independent Gill Net Survey (IGNS, Program 135) for the Northern District and may also work on other state- and federally funded projects. Work focuses on collecting fish in estuarine waters around Albemarle Sound and gathering biological information on species such as Striped Bass, Southern Flounder, American Shad, Alewife, Blueback Herring, and Blue Crab. Fish may be identified to species, tagged with traditional or electronic tags, or processed for biological data. The position also involves other fisheries-independent and fisheries-dependent sampling, computer use, and working independently and with others. Work hours vary seasonally, with late evening and early morning hours required. The technician must be able to swim and lift at least 50 pounds, and must have a valid driver's license.

Requirements

• Associate's degree in an agricultural, biological, engineering, environmental, or natural resource science, or a closely related curriculum, from an appropriately accredited institution; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to swim.
• Ability to lift at least 50 pounds.
• Valid driver's license.

Nice To Haves

• Experience operating boats.

Responsibilities

• Collect fish using gill nets in estuarine waters in and around Albemarle Sound.
• Obtain biological data, including length, weight, diet samples, ageing structures, and reproductive condition of crustaceans and finfish.
• Process, record, compile, and verify biological data and perform data quality control.
• Operate and maintain outboard motors, boats, trailers, trucks, net reels, and other sampling equipment.
• Lift heavy cartons of fish and gear.
• Use other sampling gear, including trawls, pots, trammel nets, seines, and electro-fishers, or collect additional biological data from fish and invertebrates.
• Collect fisheries-dependent data by sampling commercial catches at local fish houses.
• Conduct fisheries-independent sampling, including trawl and seine sampling, and fisheries-dependent sampling such as fish house interviews.

Benefits

• Eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program as a state employee.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree