Fisheries Technician

Portland General Electric•Madras, OR

About The Position

Seasonal technicians support PGE’s Fisheries, Terrestrial, Water Quality, and Parks programs during the spring outmigration of summer steelhead, spring Chinook, and sockeye salmon smolts. Under the technical oversight of full-time staff, the technician performs time-sensitive field and facility work supporting Pelton Round Butte license commitments, including reintroducing salmon and steelhead to the upper Deschutes Basin. This is a temporary position that may last up to six months. The role includes fish processing and transport, trap operation, surveys, water quality sampling, equipment maintenance, and support for terrestrial and parks activities. Work may involve a variable schedule, weekends, extended hours, and reporting during severe inclement weather as required.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Typically two or fewer years of experience in a related field.
Basic knowledge of processes and procedures within the assigned technical area.
Basic ability to interpret relevant technical information.
Basic knowledge of departmental policies, procedures, and safety requirements.
Basic proficiency with office computer applications, including Microsoft Word and Excel.
Basic knowledge of company- and department-specific systems and tools.
Basic knowledge of the company and utility industry.
Basic problem-solving skills and strong attention to detail.
Ability to work weekends, with two consecutive days off as a set schedule.
Ability to work extended hours when required, work a variable schedule as needed, and report during severe inclement weather as required.

Nice To Haves

Related college coursework in a designated specialty, such as fisheries or aquatic science.
Boating experience.

Responsibilities

Process fish daily at the Selective Water Withdrawal facility and Pelton Trap, seven days per week.
Transport smolts downstream daily and assist with hauling summer steelhead and spring Chinook to and from three upper-basin acclimation ponds.
Operate three rotary screw traps in the upper Deschutes Basin and assist with PIT tagging and reservoir releases.
Conduct redband trout surveys on the Metolius River and Whychus Creek, and assist with angler surveys.
Assist with monthly water quality sampling in the lower Deschutes River and reservoirs.
Support terrestrial work as needed, including weed monitoring and spraying, fence maintenance and construction, ladder and guzzler inspections, shoreline surveys, and eagle productivity surveys.
Assist PGE parks staff with opening-day preparation and maintenance operations as needed.
Maintain monitoring equipment and help ensure accurate, complete data collection.
Adhere to established schedules, deadlines, attendance standards, and safety requirements; work variable schedules and weekends as needed.
Assist with storms or other Company emergencies as part of the position.