Fisheries Technician Individual Placement-AmeriCorps

Position Title: Fisheries Technician Individual Placement

Conservation Legacy Program: Southeast Conservation Corps

Site Location: Great Smoky Mountain National Park

Address: 107 Park Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, TN, 37738

Position Available: Two for Term 1, One for Term 2 = (3 total)

Housing: Provided

Terms of Service: 12 weeks

2 placements

Term 1 Start Date: 05/19/25

Term 1 End Date: 08/08/25

1 placement

Term 2 Start Date: 06/30/2025

Term 2 End Date: 09/19/2025

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450 hr

Purpose:

Southeast Conservation Corps (SECC) is a non-profit, AmeriCorps-affiliated organization. This individual placement is in partnership with the National Park Service and is an AmeriCorps Position. SECC empowers young adults to cultivate compassion, responsibility, and grit through community service, and environmental stewardship. SECC selects young adults, ages 18-30, to complete conservation projects on public lands throughout the Southeast. SECC programs encourage environmental stewardship, foster community partnerships, and emphasize experiential learning. SECC serves a diverse population that is representative of the Southeast, including youth, graduates, veterans, and a cross-section of ethnicities and income levels.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM) is a 522,000 square acre International Biosphere Reserve boasting 2,900 miles of cool and cold-water streams. The individual placement will serve as a member of the GRSM fisheries management team to assess populations of trout and other non-game fish using the standardized Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) and Three-Pass depletion techniques approved by the Southern Division American Fisheries Society’s stream sampling protocol standards.

Position Overview:

The position will serve as a member of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM) fisheries management team to assess populations of trout and non-game fish populations using standardized Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) and Three-Pass depletion per the Southern Division American Fisheries Society’s stream sampling protocols. The candidate will participate in Brook Trout distribution assessments to compare current upstream trout distribution with historical data to detect long-term changes in headwater species mitigation and changes in water quality. The candidate will also assist with monitoring surveys of federally threatened and endangered fish populations using snorkeling techniques and assist with translocations for genetic augmentation of these populations. The candidate will collect and analyze water samples for E. coli to assess stream impairment due to horse concession trail manure runoff. The candidate will learn to use fisheries databases to enter a variety of fisheries management data incorporating data validation and verification techniques. The candidate will serve with volunteer groups and state and federal agency partners on fisheries projects. There will also be several opportunities to speak with youth and adult groups during educational programs on current fisheries-related research in GRSM.

Description of Duties:

• Properly use, maintain, and be proficient in the general operation of NPS owned backpack electrofishing units. Maintenance of probes, electrical equipment, and logging of all service/maintenance performed on the units.
• Participate in at least 2-3 training site outings where more experienced staff discuss and demonstrate how to properly use the equipment. Read the Standardized sampling protocol for surveying small, cold water trout streams in the Southeastern United States (provided upon arrival).
• Utilize the proper safety gear, i.e., lineman's gloves, breathable waders, and good verbal communication with team during electrofishing practices.
• Maintain legible, accurate, field data. Transcribe data from collections to field datasheets. Possible use of field tablets for recording fish weight and length data. Individual placement will learn how to calculate surface area of a stream and flow rates.
• Transfer data from field datasheets into the GRSM Fishery Database and learn the proper file folder structure utilized by all Resource Management and Science staff.
• Identity hazards in the field, shop, and general service environment and maintain a safe service environment. Properly utilize NPS Radios and understand radio usage protocol and communications with GRSM Emergency Communications Center.

Potential environmental/human risk involved with the above service: Electric shock, slips, trips and falls in uneven, swift-moving water environments. Bee stings, venomous snake bites, dead trees and/or branches falling, habituated Black Bears that show little signs of fear around humans, Carpal Tunnel Suyndrome, numbness on the legs from prolonged periods of sitting, and paper cuts.

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• At least 18 years of age
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
• Valid Driver’s License and clean driving record

Preferred Qualifications:

• Applicants who would like to gain experience in the field of fishery science or aquatic ecology as they work toward their career.
• Applicants should have at least 6 semester hours of biology, zoology, fisheries or wildlife related coursework.
• All applicants must be physically fit, willing, and able to carry 45-pounds for 4-6 miles over rugged terrain.
• Some field activities require staying overnight at remote backcountry campsites for 2-4 nights or longer.
• Prior to starting this position, a government background clearance will be required.
• Show up to service site on time, have a team service mentality, and be respectful of yourself, fellow service members , and other NPS staff.

Transportation:

A personal vehicle is not required but highly recommended due to limited public transportation. NPS vehicles will be provided for transportation only for park capacity. The Individual Placement will be a driver at this park location.

Physical Requirements:

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Time Requirements:

Typically, this position is expected to serve Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week - but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service. Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

Orientation and Training:

• Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• 2-day Situational/Operational Awareness course taught by the GRSM Safety Officer.
• In-person training with the Lead Fishery Tech, Supervisory Fishery Biolgist, and the GRSM Data Manager.
• Several training videos on data management and entry
  • GSA online defensive driver's training

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $1,956.35
• Living Allowance: $600
• Possible student loan forbearance.
• Member Assistance Program – 3 free sessions of support with a counseling or work-life balance specialist.
• Uniform shirts
• Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, etc.) and exposure to natural resource career paths.

Evaluation and Reporting:

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to:

• Bi-weekly timesheets
• Monthly Accomplishment Report
• Narrative Monthly Report.
• Bi-Monthly Check-Ins
• Midterm and Final Evals
• Exiting Task

Substance Free:

In accordance with a drug-free environment, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.

If you have questions about the position, please contact:

Caleb Abramson

Fishery Technician

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

caleb_abramson@nps.gov

If you have questions about the application process, please contact:

Ray Wilson

Individual Placement Coordinator

Southeast Conservation Corps

rwilson@conservationlegacy.org

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population