Fisheries Technician 1: Cowlitz River Spawning Ground Surveyor

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is recruiting candidates to fill the role of the Fisheries Technician 1 position located in Salkum, Washington. This is a full-time temporary position with a duration of 5 months or less. 

Position/Project Specifics:

The successful candidate will be working with the Tacoma Public Utilities Staff as a member of the Tacoma Power Natural Resources Services and Delivery team. This team is responsible with providing resources to project managers to ensure the department meets various license requirements.

The majority of the work will be performed as part of the Cowlitz River Hydroelectric Project. On occasion the candidate will be asked to travel to the Cushman Hydroelectric Project as well as to the Nisqually River Project Facilities (the Adler Dam and the LaGrande Dam) to perform related job duties.

Staff will be required perform strenuous field work (i.e., hiking in uneven terrain, navigation of swift water, driving to field locations, etc) in poor weather conditions.

This job provides ideal experience for those pursuing a career in aquatic and fisheries sciences. The work takes place in a beautiful setting on one of Washington State's most popular river destinations.

Essential Functions:  (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.)

• The candidate will participate in anadromous fish escapement surveys (i.e., red, trap/weir, carcass, snorkel, etc.)

• Collect and organize biological and habitat samples and collections (i.e., scales, otoliths, other tissues, etc.)

• Assist with fish passage operations (i.e., juvenile and adult salmonid passage facilities)

• Collection, entry, documentation, organization and quality assurance of spawning ground surveys, fish passage and other monitoring and evaluation activities

• Collection, entry, documentation, organization and quality assurance of data sets associated with adult and juvenile fish handling, identification, marking and transport.

Anticipated Start Date: September 16, 2026

Mandatory skills:

• Valid Driver's License
• Demonstrated field work in inclement weather conditions
• Ability to record detailed data

 Desirable Skills:

• CPR/First Aid training
• Fish identification keys
• Accurate and neat data collection
• Microsoft Access, Excel, and Word
• Oral and written communication

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 will be required. 

Work Environment:

A portion of the work is performed in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating and ventilation.  The majority of the work 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:

Preference will be given to local, qualified candidates, and qualified candidates with a B.S. in Fisheries Science or Related Major.

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.  

A B.S. in Fisheries Science or Related Major is preferred but not required.  A high school diploma is required for this position.

*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.