Fish Technician III

Yakima Klickitat Fisheries Project

Department of Natural Resources

Hourly Wage: $17.87/Regular/Full-Time

Location: Toppenish

Responsible for a variety of semi-technical and semi-skilled tasks relating to fisheries management. Duties include harvest and catch monitoring, stream survey, marking fish, fish tagging and enumerating, environmental, monitoring and recording field data. Must possess initiative and ability to make sound decisions when operating independently in the field.

Examples of Work Performed:

• Limited data tabulation and analyst and report writing.
• Function as a lead worker on a fisheries field project such as stream survey or fish tagging crew. Guide and direct subordinates activities; ensure that daily work assignments are accomplished.
• Operate and maintain back-pack, battery operated electroshocker and associated equipment.
• Tag and Mark Fish using Coded-wire tagging machine or freeze branding. Clean and maintain equipment.
• Operate juvenile or adult fish traps and record data such as length, weight, sex, etc. Ensure that fish are handled in accordance with established guidelines and released unharmed.
• Collect water quality samples and conducts routine water quality tests, recording such data as D.O., Temperature, PH, forward water samples for more comprehensive testing to a laboratory.
• Collect, catch and harvest data through on-site monitoring or fishermen interviews. Record and maintain data such as fishing effort, catch, species, weight, sex, etc.
• Transport and release juvenile trout and salmon ensuring fish are properly maintained during transit. Operate and maintain planting truck, fish tanks and oxygen bottles and delivery system.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of standard fisheries principles and procedures.
• Knowledge and skill in the operation of equipment and tools used in fisheries work.
• Ability to perform duties without direct daily supervision.
• Ability to plan and control the work of technicians.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to deal with the public.
• Ability to work outside under all types of conditions and to perform physical labor.
• Ability to keep orderly accurate Records.

Minimum Requirements:

• Two years of college education in fisheries science or closely related field.
• One year of experience as a Fisheries Technician II may be substituted for one year of college.
• Required to pass a pre-employment drug test.
• Must possess a valid Washington State Driver's License with the ability to obtain a Yakama Nation Driving permit.
• Enrolled Yakama Preference, but all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.