Fisheries Technician 5

State of Montana•Townsend, MA

21h

About The Position

THE OUTSIDE IS IN US ALL. Announcement: Please remember to attach the required documents listed in this announcement. Resume Cover Letter Applications missing the requested documents will be considered incomplete and may not progress further in the process. Documents not requested will not be considered in the recruitment process. The State Application is not a substitute for a Resume. This position closes at 11:59 PM Mountain Time on February 24th, 2026. You must apply through the State of Montana Career site. Special Information: This position may be eligible for a statutory base pay increase of $1.00 an hour effective July 1, 2026. Identity of applicants who become finalists may be releases to the public if the Department deems it necessary. Employees who exceed 1,040 hours in a calendar year are also provided health, dental and life insurance. Other benefits include retirement, paid vacation, sick and holidays. This position may be covered by a VEBA (Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association). A successful applicant will be subject to a background investigation. Women and minorities are under-represented in this job category and are encouraged to apply. Based out of Townsend, Montana, this fisheries position will serve a variety of cold and cool water species. Townsend is a small rural community with ample outdoor recreation opportunity. The Big Belt, Elkhorn, and Tobacco Root mountains provide abundant public access to escape civilization. When the "big city" calls, Helena and Bozeman are just a short drive away. Working knowledge of fisheries science principles, fish sampling methods, stream flow monitoring, and water safety are all important job qualifications. A combination of excellent work habits, technical ability, and applied knowledge is necessary for effectiveness in this position. Incumbent will be required to work closely with local FWP staff, partner agencies, NGOs, and the public. The position requires good health and physical condition. At times, this is a physically demanding job involving backpack and mobile-electrode electrofishing in small and large steep- radiant streams and working from watercraft on flowing waters. The incumbent must have the ability and willingness to work in and around water in adverse and hazardous conditions, including inclement weather. The work schedule will be variable, requiring work outside of normal business days and hours and may involve overnight stays in remote field locations for multiple days. Specific Job Information: This fisheries technician will support the area biologist with implementation of modern fisheries sampling techniques in the Jefferson, Boulder, and Upper Missouri River sub-basins. Incumbent will work closely with the biologist on planning and executing sampling efforts, data management, and reporting. Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Water Quantity/Quality Monitoring - Install and maintain water monitoring stations in target streams throughout the Upper Missouri, Boulder, and Jefferson Basins. Operate logger software, manage data, and create appropriate summaries. Coordinate with water users and the public. Native Species Monitoring and Restoration - Conduct surveys of Westslope Cutthroat Trout population abundance and distribution. Review habitat and migration barrier condition. Participate in fish removal/piscicide treatments when needed. Fish Population Monitoring - Help complete fish population surveys on large rivers using jet or drift boats, equipped with mounted electro-fishing gear. The use of backpack electro-fishing equipment to monitor tributaries populations will also be required. Incumbent will also help with netting in lentic systems. Data Management and Reporting - Technician will aid in analyzing data and writing necessary agency reports. Maintenance and Equipment - Operates and maintains equipment such as ATVs, motorboats, generators, electrofishing gear, water quality/quantity devices, power tools, etc. Education and Outreach- Participate in grade school conservation days, field trips, and other public education events.

Requirements

Working knowledge of fisheries science principles, fish sampling methods, stream flow monitoring, and water safety
The knowledge, Skills, and abilities of this position are normally attained through combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in fish biology, fish and wildlife management, ecology, biology, and three years of progressive job-related experience or work closely related to fish and wildlife biology.
Combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
good health and physical condition
ability and willingness to work in and around water in adverse and hazardous conditions, including inclement weather
excellent work habits
technical ability
applied knowledge

Responsibilities

Water Quantity/Quality Monitoring - Install and maintain water monitoring stations in target streams throughout the Upper Missouri, Boulder, and Jefferson Basins. Operate logger software, manage data, and create appropriate summaries. Coordinate with water users and the public.
Native Species Monitoring and Restoration - Conduct surveys of Westslope Cutthroat Trout population abundance and distribution. Review habitat and migration barrier condition. Participate in fish removal/piscicide treatments when needed.
Fish Population Monitoring - Help complete fish population surveys on large rivers using jet or drift boats, equipped with mounted electro-fishing gear. The use of backpack electro-fishing equipment to monitor tributaries populations will also be required. Incumbent will also help with netting in lentic systems.
Data Management and Reporting - Technician will aid in analyzing data and writing necessary agency reports.
Maintenance and Equipment - Operates and maintains equipment such as ATVs, motorboats, generators, electrofishing gear, water quality/quantity devices, power tools, etc.
Education and Outreach- Participate in grade school conservation days, field trips, and other public education events.