Fisheries Technician III (FT/Temp)(Start date - 04/21/2025)

Hiring Preference: The Kalispel Tribe of Indians is an Equal opportunity employer. Consistent with federal law, the Kalispel Tribe of Indians applies Indian preference in employment. It is the policy of the Kalispel Tribe of Indians to give preference in hiring, promotions, and transfers into vacant positions to qualified applicants in the following order: 1) Kalispel Tribal Members; 2) Descendant or Spouse of an enrolled Kalispel Tribal Member; 3) enrolled members of other Indian Tribes; 4) all other applicants. At-Will Employment: Employment with the Kalispel Tribe of Indians is at-will and can be terminated with or without cause, and with or without notice, at any time, either at the option of the employee or the Kalispel Tribe of Indians. Drug Testing: The Kalispel Tribe of Indians is a drug free work place. All applicants are subject to drug testing at the time of hire and at unannounced times during employment. Background Investigation: All candidates and employees may be subject to a background investigation.

BASIC FUNCTIONS OF WORK

The incumbent of this position will work under the direction of the Fisheries Technician IV as a journey-level technician with a high level of independence. Duties will include assisting fisheries technicians, biologists, and program managers in data collection and data entry, and conducting fisheries conservation and management protection, monitoring, and enhancement actions. 

The Fisheries Technician III will complete diverse work elements including collection of biological data and habitat conditions using established scientific principles and techniques that will guide resource management. Incumbent will assist conservation programs/projects such as fence building, planting vegetation, distributing fish, operating and maintaining equipment, gill netting, trapping, piscicide application, and electrofishing (boat and backpack). This work is primarily performed outdoors and requires lifting, pulling, and hauling in all kinds of weather conditions on variable terrain. The Fisheries Technician III will also provide support to other projects and departments as needed.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Receives direct supervision from Fisheries Technician IV or Fisheries Biologist I .

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

No supervision will be exercised. May be required to schedule or assign daily work tasks in the field.

REPRESENTATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK

• Conducts biological studies and inventories using established data collection techniques. Enters biological data and performs QA/QC. Assists with studies and/or research for which precedence and patterns have been established.
• Participates in sampling programs and projects designed to provide catch, effort, mortality, species composition, life history, abundance, distribution, movement, age, growth, and other biological data to inform fishery management decisions.
• Participates in netting, trapping, electrofishing, and piscicide projects designed to reduce or eliminate target non-native fish populations.
• Assists as a crew member in standardized fisheries data collection with gill nets, trap nets, boat electrofishing, backpack electrofishing, angling, snorkeling, fixed station and mobile biotelemetry.
• Participates in stream, lake, and river habitat enhancement and restoration projects including: fencing, vegetation planting, bank stabilization, instream structure placement, channel construction, road obliteration, fish passage improvement, distributing fish, operating and maintaining equipment.
• May assist with or perform other work as required.
• Assists with inventorying, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing field equipment including boats, vehicles, telemetry equipment, hydraulics, nets, traps, and electronics.

• Assists with the placement of in-stream habitat projects, including planting, fencing, log/rock placement, sediment dredging and other activities to restore or enhance instream and riparian habitats.

• Help with routine computer data entry duties and provide assistance to other outside agencies.

EXPERIENCE

• An AA Degree in the applicable science AND 2 years of experience (must submit transcripts for credit) OR; A High School Diploma or GED AND 4 years related experience in fisheries OR; A Bachelors of Science degree in fisheries, wildlife, natural resources science, or aquatic sciences
• Must possess a valid Driver’s License and be eligible for coverage under the Tribes’ vehicle policy and insurance.
• Work history must reflect excellent attendance.
• Must be able to work in a multi-cultural environment and work variable hours, long days, early mornings, holidays, weekends and nights as the work dictates.
• Must be in good physical condition to be able to work and hike in inclement weather conditions and over variable and rugged terrain. Must be able to lift at least 70 pounds.
• Must have knowledge of Kalispel Tribal heritage and culture and the significance of fish and wildlife resources to tribal members. 
• Must possess good verbal communication skills and be able to communicate effectively with biologists, department managers, employees, and Tribal members.
• Must have some experience or knowledge of standard field methods and data collection techniques relating to fisheries work including species identification, their habitats and life histories, scientific terminology and techniques, and habitat assessment.
• Must have some experience or knowledge of habitat restoration and enhancement techniques and safe use of hand tools, chain saws, portable winches, and comfortably work with and around heavy equipment.
• Experience as crew member on non-motorized (cataraft, canoe, rowboat) and motorized boats up to 26’ in length in still and flowing waters preferred. Experience with outboard motor, boat electrofishing units, hydraulic systems operation and maintenance preferred.
• Experience with mobile fish acoustic and radio telemetry desirable; mobile tracking and recording geospatial data on GPS.
• Must be able to gain a Kalispel Tribe Work Permit.
• Indian preference does apply.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must successfully clear a Criminal Background Inquiry. Results must not reflect any felony charges, nor any misdemeanor convictions within 1 year prior to the closing date of this position announcement
• Previous data collection experience required.
• Must be willing and able to work long shifts on a variable schedule, including: nights, early mornings, late evenings, holidays, weekends and nights as the work dictates.
• Must be in good physical condition and able to work in inclement weather conditions and over variable, slippery and rugged terrain with supplies and equipment. Must be able to lift at least 70 pounds.
• Works on projects individually and/or as a team member in a pleasant, efficient, and consistent manner.
• Must be able to work in a multi-cultural environment.
• Valid Washington State Boater Education Card preferred.
• Must successfully clear pre-employment, post-accident, and random drug testing.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment for Natural Resources staff is multifaceted. Outdoor conditions make it necessary to be able to work and hike in inclement weather conditions and over variable and rugged terrain. Work could include in water wading or from a boat (e.g. netting, electrofishing) and other on-water work.  Potential exists for interactions with wild animals, bees, and other natural hazards.   Indoor work can require long periods of sedentary work interfacing with others in meetings or completing reporting or data entry at a computer station. Work may also require specific specialized equipment operation (i.e., snow machines, tractors, etc…), regional travel, and overnight stays.

Disclaimer: Certain Licenses and Certification requirements can be obtained once hired.