Individual Placement - Fish Biotechnician at Lower Granite Dam

Position Summary 

Lower Granite Dam is the furthest upstream hydropower and navigation dam with fish passage capabilities and is located on the Snake River, in eastern Washington. The project is responsible for safe downstream and upstream migration of juvenile and adult salmonids, transportation of juvenile salmonids downstream from the project by barges and trucks past 7 dams to near estuary release sites on the Columbia River downstream of Bonneville dam. Our facility operates a Juvenile Bypass System (JBS) to safely bypass fish around the dam and either transport or release them back to the river. Participants would be trained on operational aspects of the JBS, the juvenile fish separator, loading fish into raceways and barges, operating fish crowders, collecting and utilizing fish loading density data, routine maintenance, completion of standard forms, performing piscivorous bird surveys, etc. as part of a team that operates and maintains the facility. The Juvenile Fish Facility (JFF) operates 24 hours/day, 7 days/week from mid March through November 1 seasonally. All work is directly related to ensuring compliance with the Biological Opinion and Fish Passage Plan, ensuring the safe passage and survival of many threatened and endangered species protected under the Endangered Species Act. A variety of tasks will be performed and participants will gain understanding and experience of this complex system, data collection, fish identification, JFF operation, transport barge operations, separator operations, facility maintenance, and daily reporting and logbook entries.

Location 

Pomeroy, WA

Schedule 

May 4, 2026 - October 30, 2026

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

• Operation of juvenile fish separator, counters and sample system
• Collecting and recording data related to fish passage and loading density calculations
• Monitoring and removal of debris and adult fish from separator
• Daily, weekly, and recurring facility inspections
• Operation of fish crowder: Operation of fish counting and sampling system
• Assisting with loading raceways, transport barges, and trucks;

Marginal Duties 

• Minor facility maintenance as needed
• Bird surveys
• Adult fishway inspections
• Assist supervisory biologists with report preparation and data analysis
• Assist smolt monitoring personnel with daily sample
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications 

• Ability to operate government vehicles
• Lift 40 lbs.
• Ability to walk, climb stairs and ladders, perform physical work
• Provide for housing
• Provision to get to and from work (personal vehicle)
• Ability to receive and retain Common Access Card
• Experience using computers/computer programs

Preferred Qualifications 

• Fish identification
• Interest in fisheries programs
• BS degree in biological field or related college coursework
• Good communication skills

Hours 

40 per week

Living Accommodations 

• No longterm living accommodations provided by USACE
• Participant expected to acquire housing via housing allowance
  • Limited duration on-site dorm use available - (contact Supervisory Biologist); -RV rental spaces available nearby on USACE property (must have own RV) - (contact Supervisory Biologist); -WiFi – available for purchase (contact Supervisory Biologist) at RV sites and work site; -On site breakroom with refrigeration, cooking, cookware, etc.; -Nearby housing rental is available in Pullman, WA or Moscow, ID (home of Univ of WA and Univ of ID); - Nearby housing rental is available in Colfax, WA or Pomeroy, WA (farming communities); - Nearby housing rental is available in Clarkston, WA or Lewiston, ID (larger nearby communities);

Compensation  

• $400 Weekly Living Allowance
• $75 Weekly Commuting Allowance
• $1,000 Monthly Housing Allowance (7 total)
• NTE $650 Duty Related Travel Reimbursement (if not already living locally)

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. 

Personal Vehicle Information

Required

Additional Benefits 

Defensive Driver Training

First Aid/CPR

Off-Road Vehicle Safety

AmeriCorps: Not Eligible

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The Student Conservation Association, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members and is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere where lifestyles may grow personally and professionally.