What are the responsibilities and job description for the Fisheries Technician 1: Cowlitz River Crew Member position at Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission?
Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is recruiting candidates to fill two Fisheries Technician 1 positions located in Salkum, Washington. This is a temporary position with an anticipated start date of September 1st, 2026.
Fisheries Technicians perform duties related to the protection, preservation, propagation, and sampling of fish species and the preservation or enhancement of their habitat. They use knowledge of procedural requirements and processes to support the technical work of their unit. They provide practical technical support to research, operations, or program administration efforts.
Position/Project Specifics:
The successful candidates will work alongside Tacoma Power staff at the Cowlitz River Hydroelectric Project in Lewis County. Primary responsibilities include assisting operations at both the Mayfield Dam Juvenile Fish Passage Facility and the Adult Separation Facility located at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery.
The Mayfield Dam Juvenile Fish Passage Facility is a juvenile bypass system where salmonids are captured, enumerated, and CWT tagged as they migrate out of the Tilton River basin. In early fall, outmigrant numbers increase significantly requiring additional personnel to ensure fish are handled, tagged and processed safely and efficiently.
The Adult Separation Facility supports a trap and haul program in which adult salmonids are enumerated, assessed for species, sex, marks, and tags, and distributed to either broodstock for hatchery needs or transported upstream, around the dams to spawn naturally.
Candidates must be comfortable working with a fast-paced team in inclement weather, exposed to loud noises, and in a wet environment. Strong data recording skills and knowledgeable with data management practices are required. Proficiency in juvenile and adult salmonid identification preferred, but not required.
Additional responsibilities include collecting essential trap operations information, ensuring accurate data entry, and assisting with research activities, as data is frequently shared with other organizations. These positions also involves supporting office needs as well as maintaining clean and organized work areas. Successful candidates must be able to work effectively with others and maintain a positive, professional attitude
Essential Functions: Included in this band are skilled technician positions. Some functions performed by employees can be identical to those performed by fishery biologists at the entry-level or advanced entry level.(The functions listed below are
characteristic of the type and level of work associated with this group and pay band. They are not all-inclusive. Individual positions may perform some or all, as well as other similar work.
- Make standardized observations such as species identification, length, weight,
behavior, growth, survival, reproductive condition, fin clips or tags, and/or signs of
parasites, diseases or pathogens, recreational/commercial fishing surveys, anadromous fish escapement survey - Crew may also monitor the status of facility systems and equipment, fabricate,
construct, and maintain systems. - Gather research data and organize information from fish samples or experimental
projects. - Assist crew in regular facility inspections including, for example, dewatering
equipment, pumps, flumes, gates, tanks, screens, filters, gate wells, and/or tag
interrogation equipment. - Crew may also monitor and maintain water quality levels. Record findings and
adjustments made. - Provide input for facility improvements. Respond appropriately and immediately to
emergencies. - Update database by entering, checking, and/or editing biological or habitat data
that has been inputted on field forms, electronic data loggers, and/or desktop
computers. - Maintain and organize databases.
- Write memoranda and short reports for transfer of data.
- Produce summaries including corrections. Produce presentation quality tables and
graphs of data.
Knowledge Required by the Position: Knowledge of personal computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets,
email, publishing software, presentation software, database software, topographic software, bibliographic software, and statistical analysis packages.
Knowledge of basic math.
They can assess or interpret the significance of their results and relate that to the overall objective of the project.
Additional Mandatory Skills:
- Mark Fish
- Valid driver's license
- Fish species ID skills
- Oral communication skills
- Compile and collect neat and accurate data
- Written communication skills
Additional Desirable Skills:
- Lift 40-50 lbs.
- Electronic Detection Technology
- CPR/First Aid
- Literature search/review
- Trap/Weir
- Repair and maintain equipment
Physical Demands: Demands can range from moderate --where there is walking, climbing stairs and ladders, reaching, lifting, bending and strenuous sweeping-- to rigorous. In the latter case, the incumbent must be able to handle buckets of water or gear weighing up to 50 pounds. Long daily periods of standing may be required.
Work Environment: A portion of the work is performed in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating and ventilation. The majority is performed in fish areas that will be wet and cold. Incumbents may work on narrow, elevated walkways and platforms that are over or adjacent to water.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualification Requirements:
A range of experience and education may be presented. At the lower end of the range, candidates must present six months of General Experience* OR one year of education above the high school level that included at least six semester hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses. An equivalent combination of experience and education is also qualifying.
At the upper end of the range, candidates must present one year of Specialized Experience** OR a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with a major or at least 24 semester hours of coursework in any combination of scientific or technical courses. An equivalent combination of experience and education is also qualifying.
*General Experience is (1) any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with biological sciences or the processes of the biological sciences.
**Specialized Experience is experience that equips the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position being filled