Individual Placement - Fisheries Field Technician at The Yakima River

Student Conservation Association • Seattle, WA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The U.S. Geological Survey’s Western Fisheries Research Center (WFRC) is working
on a collaborative project with the Yakama Indian Nation that seeks to control
the effects of non-native fish species (especially small mouth bass) on juvenile
salmon, while collecting information about how predation might impact
outmigration success. As part of a small mouth bass removal program, the SCA
member will work on the Yakima River near Prosser, Washington as part of a team
operating electrofishing gear for the capture and removal of non-native fish
species. Field work will be conducted weekly from roughly the start of April
through June, depending on flow and temperature conditions. Training will be
provided at the Seattle Headquarters of WFRC, focused on boating safety,
electrofishing fundamentals, and field methods for fish data collection. This
work will contribute greatly toward the management of salmon, an important
recreational and subsistence use species.

Requirements

• enjoy working in the outdoors in all weather conditions
• have good attention to detail in data collection
• fieldwork that will require strenuous physical exertion to haul nets, carry equipment (up to 50 pounds), bending, lifting, and walking over rough, uneven terrain
• Exposure to extreme environmental conditions likely
• Personal Vehicle

Nice To Haves

• Prior biological fieldwork experience, especially any related to fish or fisheries, preferred but not required
• 4-year college degree in biological sciences preferred

Responsibilities

• conducting raft electrofishing activities that includes netting fish and processing biological samples from captured fish
• organizing field gear
• launching and retrieving rafts from boat launches
• netting fish
• collecting data

Benefits

• $1,100 RT Travel Allowance (Paid once)
• $500 Weekly Living Allowance (Paid bi-weekly)
• SCA Leased Housing Provided near Prosser, WA
• $1650 in Duty Related Travel Reimbursement (Pay out of pocket initially/Receipts required)
• AmeriCorps Eligible (Value of award ~$1,956) to be used toward student loans at fulfillment of 450 service hours
• All Weather Uniform Package
• Defensive Driving Training
• Interpretive Skills

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level