Fisheries Water Quality Technician

Puyallup Tribe of Indians•Tacoma, WA

About The Position

This is a journey-level position has the primary responsibility for collecting, managing and analyzing data collected within the Puyallup, Carbon and White River watersheds in order to protect and recover treaty fish runs and habitat. Duties include on-site collection of water samples for outside laboratory analysis, data entry, management and analysis, preparation and implementation of quality assurance project plans and work plans as well as scientific report writing. Acts as a departmental contact with other tribal, local, state and federal government agencies on watershed matters.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree (B.S.) in Fisheries and/or Environmental Science from four-year college or university; and two years of experience and/or training related to salmonid identification and/or habitat assessments; and water quality monitoring, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
Valid Washington State Driver’s License and proof of insurance required.
Must pass a criminal background check.
Comfortable working around swift deep bodies of water and walking on slippery surfaces and rough terrain. Ability to swim.
Requires the ability to operate a typewriter, personal computer, multi-line telephone, calculator, facsimile and photocopier.
Requires the ability to read, write, communicate, and interpret information accurately in English.
Requires the ability to concentrate and consistently produce accurate work.
Sufficient physical stamina to carry, lift and/or move up to 15-20 pounds over long distances.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Responsibilities

Assists supervisor in the design and implementation of the Tribal Fisheries Water Quality Management Program, a comprehensive program applicable to all lands and activities which may affect surface or groundwater quality on the Reservation affecting treaty fisheries.
Monthly sampling at designated sites on the Puyallup, Carbon, and White River watersheds. Collects water quality measurements in accordance with departmental procedures using both manual and computer-based methods. Assure data collected is in compliance with the EPA and State of Washington mandated sampling programs required for protection of treaty fish habitat and accurate records of the work done is compiled, entered, and maintained.
On a quarterly basis, schedules and participates in the collection of research regarding bacteriological pollutants and nutrients affecting fish habitat and fish consumption rate applicable to human health criteria. Assures that samples are transported to an accredited laboratory for testing. Is responsible for reviewing technical test results to identify concerns, trends, sampling errors, etc. Enters data and maintains records. May be asked to discuss test results with complainant and provide recommendations for corrective measures.
Schedules seasonal fish habitat monitoring studies such as continuous temperature monitoring, macroinvertebrates study, fish habitat assessment semi-annually at multiple locations. In each situation, writes quality assurance work plans, collects samples, calibrates equipment used, downloads and stores collected data, types, files and prepares reports, and purchase equipment to provide assessments.
Oversees the maintenance and calibrating of continuous monitoring stations on the Puyallup and White Rivers to include pH, dissolved oxygen, specific conductance, temperature, salinity and turbidity factors affecting fish habitat and fish consumption rate issues concerning the human health criteria under water pollution control laws.
When available, participates in presentations at school seminars and educational tabling events on treaty fisheries and water quality issues.
Participates in inter-agency cooperative fish habitat assessment and pollutant source identification study on various water sources within the Puyallup Tribe’s fisheries areas.
Coordinates and corresponds with other tribal departments and entities, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the National Marine Fisheries Service, EPA, Washington State Department of Ecology, Pierce County, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, and concerned property owners on water quality and related issues.
Collects Global Positioning System (GPS) locational data for sampling sites, hydrography, point sources of air and water pollution and other related fisheries habitat data.
Responsible for representing the Puyallup Tribe at regularly scheduled meetings with the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Coordinated Tribal Water Quality Program and Puyallup River Watershed Council meetings.
Assist with the composition of annual tribal fisheries and water quality reports. Analyze data obtained from ArcGIS Online, (Survey123, Field Maps) HOBOware, etc.
Monitor and sample adult and juvenile salmonids in the field; including identification of Pacific salmon and other local freshwater species, taking/recording length, collecting scales and DNA tissue, retrieving CWT snouts, and PIT tagging. Assist test fisheries program collecting biological data on captured fish: species identification (Chinook, coho, steelhead, etc.), length, coded‑wire tags scanning, scale samples for age, and origin/hatchery marks. Deploy a range of sampling gear including weighted bait rigs, downriggers, jigging rods, and divers to mimic recreational and tribal fishing effort for salmonids in the Puget Sound or Puyallup River.
Sort and identify adult salmon by species and determine sex using visual indicators. Scan each fish for coded‑wire tags using electronic wand detectors; record tag presence/absence and stock information. Measure fork length and collect biological samples (scales, fin clips, adipose‐fin checks, DNA swabs. Strips eggs and milt from fish to fertilize eggs; transfers fry to rearing ponds; feeds fry; stocks streams and ponds. Lift, carry, and position adult salmon (commonly 20–30 lb, sometimes heavier) onto weighing tables or processing stations, following ergonomic protocols. Assist with moving heavy gear and catch containers.
Has primary departmental responsibilities for the program vehicle.
Performs other duties as assigned.