Fisheries Technician

Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa•Cloquet, MN

21h•$17 - $19•Onsite

About The Position

The Fisheries Technician works in the Fond du Lac Resource Management Division and is based onsite at designated locations. Reporting to the Inland Fisheries Biologist, the technician leads field activities for the Fond du Lac Lake Sturgeon Restoration Project and assists with fisheries harvest monitoring and the Lake Superior Subsistence Fishing Program. Duties include fish population assessments, field sampling, boat and net operations, fish processing, laboratory preparation and analysis of fish hard structures, and data entry. The position also represents the Fond du Lac Band and department professionally and follows applicable Reservation policies and department requirements. Travel is required. The position is non-exempt and hourly, with a 90-day probationary period for full-time employees and a 120-day probationary period for part-time employees.

Requirements

Valid U.S.-issued driver’s license; eligibility is determined by the FDL insurance company.
At least one year of fisheries management work experience.
Expertise in boat trailering and operation.
Knowledge of fisheries techniques, including fish identification, boat electroshocking, PIT-tagging, radio telemetry, gill-net surveys, and in-river drift sampling.
Knowledge of data-entry computer applications, including Microsoft Word and Excel.
Experience with GPS.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to work independently and establish priorities.
Attention to detail and accuracy.
Ability to establish professional and harmonious working relationships with project participants and other parties.
Subject to drug and alcohol testing under the Fond du Lac Reservation’s Personnel Policies, pre-employment and annual background checks, and immunization review with proof of required vaccinations.
Able to perform field activities such as walking, lifting, paddling and portaging a canoe, and handling field gear and equipment; must be able to swim.
Able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Experience with fish-aging laboratory methods, including otoliths and scales.
Knowledge of Native American communities, culture, customs, and beliefs.

Responsibilities

Lead field portions of the FDL Lake Sturgeon Restoration Project, coordinating with partner agencies on egg collection for hatchery operations, annual juvenile sturgeon stocking, adult capture, and radio telemetry.
Assist the FDL Fisheries Biologist in organizing and monitoring fisheries harvest in the 1837 and 1854 Ceded Territories.
Assist with creeling, collecting fish otoliths, setting and pulling gill nets, boat trailering and operation, and data entry.
Lead crews with other FDL Resource Management staff on fish population assessments and related fish monitoring.
Conduct Lake Sturgeon Restoration Project monitoring, including operating a boat on the Upper St. Louis River, drift-netting juvenile sturgeon, capturing adult sturgeon, attaching radio tags, performing radio telemetry, and entering data in Microsoft Excel and ArcGIS.
Assist with planning and implementing the FDL Lake Superior Subsistence Fishing Program, including vessel operation on Lake Superior, setting and pulling gill nets, creeling fish, constructing buoys, anchors and net sets, filleting and packaging fish, and data entry.
Prepare and analyze fish hard structures, including scales, spines, and otoliths, in the laboratory.
Maintain expertise in boat trailering and operation and knowledge of basic outboard motor maintenance.
Represent the Fond du Lac Band and department positively and professionally in the community.
Follow Reservation policies, provide appropriate notice to the supervisor, attend mandatory department trainings, maintain confidentiality of financial and employee or client records, and respond promptly and professionally to requests, complaints, and problems.
Demonstrate courtesy, respect, and sensitivity to visitors and coworkers; maintain attendance, appropriate work attire, and a clean and organized work area.
Adapt to job changes and perform other responsibilities assigned by management.
Travel as required.