Helene Restoration Division Conservation Aquaculture Technician

State of North Carolina•McDowell County, NC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) is seeking a Wildlife Conservation Technician I for its Helene Restoration Division – Marion Conservation Aquaculture Center. This position is responsible for the technical operations of the Marion Conservation Aquaculture Center (CAC), which is a research and propagation facility for nongame fish and mollusks. The role involves assisting the CAC Coordinator with the propagation and research of rare, threatened, and endangered freshwater mussels and fishes, as approved by the Helene Restoration Division and USFS. Key activities include mussel infestations, nongame fish production, data collection on species health and propagation methods, monitoring aquatic species health, maintaining facility biosecurity, managing water and sediment changes, assisting with tagging, performing water quality analyses, preparing reports, interacting with the public, and responding to daily operational needs. Infrastructure duties include facility construction and modifications, maintaining hatchery grounds, buildings, and equipment, and ensuring the operational status of filters, UV systems, pumps, and intakes. This is a time-limited position ending September 2035.

Requirements

Associate Degree in wildlife or fisheries management or construction management from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of experience which has included the management of wildlife or fisheries resources or the operation of heavy equipment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Possession of a valid North Carolina driver’s license required within 90 days of hire.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge and/or experience working with North Carolina’s freshwater nongame fish and mollusk species and their habitats.
Experience in using ArcGIS and data collection.
Experience operating and maintaining a variety of equipment, tools and vehicles required to perform the duties of the position; including power tools, hand tools, and shop tools, laboratory equipment, water quality instruments and testing equipment.
Experience with aquatics species propagation.
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), pesticide applicator’s license and/or NC Burner Certificate may be required.
Coursework in fish culture may be required.

Responsibilities

Assist the CAC Coordinator with propagation and research of rare, threatened, and endangered freshwater mussels and fishes.
Conduct mussel infestations and nongame fish production.
Collect and report data documenting subject species’ health and vitality, as well as the success of methods, equipment used, and environmental conditions.
Monitor the health of aquatic species and report abnormalities.
Maintain facility biosecurity.
Conduct necessary water and sediment changes.
Assist with tagging individuals prior to distribution.
Collect water samples and perform basic water chemistry analyses (e.g., dissolved oxygen concentrations, pH, alkalinity, hardness).
Prepare routine reports and interact with the public.
Respond to and address day-to-day conditions at the MCAC.
Conduct inventory on species and record data.
Perform facility construction and modifications as needed.
Maintain hatchery grounds, buildings, and equipment.
Clean and maintain filters, UV systems, pumps, and intakes to ensure systems are operational.