Fishery Technician III - River Ecology

Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission • La Grande, OR

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) assists four tribes in the co-management of their treaty fishing rights within the Columbia River Basin. A key to ensuring our member tribes have a sustainable fishery is the ability to collect and assess information on the status of anadromous and resident fish populations and their habitats within the Columbia River Basin. The positions offered are associated with the Fishery Science Department’s River Ecology Group. This group assists CRITFC and the four treaty tribes with collection and analysis of data pertaining to anadromous fish populations, stream habitat conditions, habitat restoration, and river ecology.

These positions will focus on population and habitat monitoring for ESA-listed spring Chinook Salmon and summer steelhead in the upper Grande Ronde River and Middle Fork John Day basins in northeastern Oregon. Stream habitat data will be collected using a combination of remote sensing and instream habitat monitoring methods. Juvenile salmonid abundance, distribution, growth and diet data will be collected using a variety of methods including snorkel surveys, backpack electrofishing, seining, PIT-tagging, gastric lavage and tissue sampling. Adult spring Chinook use of thermal refugia will be evaluated using radio tracking, and spring Chinook spatial relative reproductive success will be evaluated using intensive carcass sampling.

The primary objectives of these positions are to collect data necessary to: 1) Assess current status, trends, and key limiting factors (biotic and abiotic) to the viability of spring Chinook Salmon and summer steelhead populations, and 2) Evaluate effectiveness of stream restoration actions aimed at improving key limiting habitat factors.

These positions are seasonal and require an in-person work setting.

Requirements

• An interest in fisheries science and experience collecting natural resource data in the field. A Bachelor’s degree in fisheries or related field will substitute for work experience.
• Familiarity with collection of scientific data in field settings using specialized equipment (e.g., data loggers, GPS, and laser range finders) and ability to execute detailed technical procedures.
• Must be well organized with attention to detail and accurate record keeping.
• Ability to work effectively and positively in a team environment or independently.
• Must be able to effectively communicate both orally and in writing with people from a variety of agencies and cultures about the project objectives and methods.
• Willingness to work under a variety of field conditions (e.g., hiking with gear to remote locations; hot, cold, and wet conditions involving up to 12-hour workdays wading in streams).
• A driver’s license, good driving record, and the ability to lift and carry objects weighing at least 50 pounds.
• Must be available for work between the approximate dates of June 8th and October 2nd.

Nice To Haves

• General knowledge of Pacific Northwest fish biology, aquatic ecology, and fish habitat requirements.
• Experience conducting stream habitat surveys.
• Experience with fish sampling and handling including species identification, electrofishing, seining, snorkeling, and PIT-tagging.

Responsibilities

• Conduct stream habitat surveys including measurement of fish habitat characteristics such as channel unit type, channel dimensions (length, width, depth), large woody debris, substrate size, stream flow, dissolved oxygen and temperature.
• Collect macroinvertebrate samples using standard methods.
• Maintain, offload and install temperature loggers.
• Assist with snorkel surveys to estimate fish abundance and assess presence/absence of freshwater mussels.
• Assist with juvenile salmonid abundance surveys using a backpack electrofisher and/or snorkeling and seining.
• Assist with capture and processing (measuring, PIT tagging, diet and tissue sampling) of juvenile Chinook Salmon and Steelhead/Rainbow Trout.
• Assist with carcass sampling for spawning spring Chinook Salmon.
• Assist with radio tracking for spring Chinook Salmon.
• Record data using electronic data loggers and/or paper datasheets and transfer/enter data into a database.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees