Fishery Technician III - River Ecology

The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) assists four tribes in the co-management of their treaty fishing rights within the Columbia River Basin. A key to ensuring our member tribes have a sustainable fishery is the ability to collect and assess information on the status of anadromous and resident fish populations and their habitats within the Columbia River Basin. The positions offered are associated with the Fishery Science Department’s River Ecology Group. This group assists CRITFC and the four treaty tribes with collection and analysis of data pertaining to anadromous fish populations, stream habitat conditions, habitat restoration, and river ecology.

These positions will focus on population and habitat monitoring for ESA-listed spring Chinook Salmon and summer steelhead in the upper Grande Ronde River basin in northeastern Oregon. Stream habitat data will be collected using a combination of remote sensing and instream habitat monitoring methods. Juvenile salmonid abundance, distribution, growth and diet data will be collected using a variety of methods including snorkel surveys, backpack electrofishing, seining, PIT-tagging, gastric lavage and tissue sampling. Adult spring Chinook use of thermal refugia will be evaluated using radio tracking, and spring Chinook spatial relative reproductive success will be evaluated using intensive carcass sampling.

The primary objectives of these positions are to collect data necessary to: 1) Assess current status, trends, and key limiting factors (biotic and abiotic) to the viability of spring Chinook Salmon and summer steelhead populations, and 2) Evaluate effectiveness of stream restoration actions aimed at improving key limiting habitat factors.

Recruitment period

Closing Date: February 28, 2025

Responsibilities

Specific duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Conduct stream habitat surveys including measurement of fish habitat characteristics such as channel unit type, channel dimensions (length, width, depth), large woody debris, substrate size, stream flow, dissolved oxygen and temperature.
• Collect macroinvertebrate samples using standard methods.
• Maintain, offload and install temperature loggers.
• Assist with snorkel surveys to estimate fish abundance and assess presence/absence of freshwater mussels.
• Assist with juvenile salmonid abundance surveys using a backpack electrofisher and/or snorkeling and seining.
• Assist with capture and processing (measuring, PIT tagging, diet and tissue sampling) of juvenile Chinook Salmon and Steelhead/Rainbow Trout.
• Assist with carcass sampling for spawning spring Chinook Salmon.
• Assist with radio tracking for spring Chinook Salmon.
• Record data using electronic data loggers and/or paper datasheets and transfer/enter data into a database.

Qualifications

We seek responsible and dependable individuals with interests in fisheries science and freshwater ecology who meet the following qualifications:

• An interest in fisheries science and experience collecting natural resource data in the field. A bachelor’s degree in fisheries or related field will substitute for work experience.
• Familiarity with collection of scientific data in field settings using specialized equipment (e.g., data loggers, GPS, and laser range finders) and ability to execute detailed technical procedures.
• Must be well organized with attention to detail and accurate record keeping.
• Ability to work effectively and positively in a team environment or independently in field and office settings.
• Must be able to effectively communicate both orally and in writing with people from a variety of agencies and cultures about the project objectives and methods.
• Willingness to work under a variety of field conditions (e.g., hiking with gear to remote locations; hot, cold, and wet conditions involving up to 12-hour workdays wading in streams).
• A driver’s license, good driving record, and the ability to lift and carry objects weighing at least 50 pounds.
• Must be available for work between the approximate dates of June 9th and October 3rd.

Desired Qualifications

• General knowledge of Pacific Northwest fish biology, aquatic ecology, and fish habitat requirements.
• Experience conducting stream habitat surveys.
• Experience with fish sampling and handling including species identification, electrofishing, seining, snorkeling, and PIT-tagging.

Supervision Received

This position reports to a field crew supervisor within the Fishery Science Department’s River Ecology Group. However, field work may be conducted independently by the field crew without direct supervision from a supervisor.

Supervision Given

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Physical Working Conditions

The position is based in the town of La Grande, Oregon (4.5-hour drive from Portland), where CRITFC maintains a field station. CRITFC provides technicians with co-ed housing at the La Grande field station. Field research activities typically extend from June through early-October and involve long hours conducting physically demanding field work in hot and potentially inclement weather conditions. The work schedule typically consists of a 4-day workweek with 10-hour days, beginning on Monday and ending on Thursday. However, some work may require longer duration workweeks (up to 8-days). Work hours in excess of 40 hours per week will be compensated at 1.5 time. Field crew members will spend most of the workweek collecting data in the field; however, job duties will also include office work such as organizing and maintaining field equipment and data management. Occasional camping far from the duty station will be required, and in this case CRITFC will offer a per diem.

CRITFC Motor Vehicle Policy

This job occasionally requires driving a CRITFC vehicle or your own vehicle for business (mileage compensated), and therefore you must be able to meet the terms of the CRITFC Motor Vehicle policy. Per the policy, applicants are required to have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record for the past three years. This includes a three-year record clear of the following:

• Reckless Driving
• Driving Under the Influence
• Suspension or revoked license
• No more than two at-fault accidents
• No more than one major violation or two minor violations.

Native Hiring Preference

CRITFC implements a tribal preference policy and encourages citizens and descendants of our member tribes (Nez Perce, Umatilla, Warm Springs, and Yakama) and other federally recognized tribes to apply.

CRITFC is committed to building a culturally inclusive community and a work environment that respects and inspires every person. Members of historically marginalized groups including women, people of color, those with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, those who have served in the military, and members of other underrepresented communities are invited to apply.