Fisheries Research Technician

Job Title: Fisheries Research Technician
Department: Natural Resources Department
Reports to: Great Lakes Fisheries Biologist

Salary Range: $15.98 to $22.37 per hour

Status: Non-Exempt

Level: B21

Term Position: Grant funded for one year, with a possibility of a limited extension (1-2 additional years)

Opens: February 24, 2025

Closes: March 10, 2025

TO APPLY: Please submit LTBB Application Form, Resume, and Cover Letter by Email to hr@ltbbodawa-nsn.gov or via Fax, Mail, or In Person at our Human Resources office. LTBB Application Form and HR Contact Info available here: https://ltbbodawa-nsn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Employment-Application.pdf

SUMMARY: Provides support to the Great Lakes Fisheries Program and Natural Resources Department by assisting and aiding with research, funding, fieldwork, and data management. Primary duties will revolve around the LTBB Coregonid Research Initiative. This position is funded for one year (2080 hours) through a one-time grant with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) to explore research questions centered around Lake Whitefish and their use of riverine habitats for spawning. Little Traverse Natural Resource Department has been a part of the River Run Whitefish research group since its inception and has experimentally stocked Lake Whitefish in 1836 Treaty Waters. This work has received interest from funders and is actively submitting to grants for future work, and therefore, has the possibility of an extension past the initial year.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Research:

· Research issues and topics as assigned by Fisheries Biologist, Great Lakes Research Specialist or Natural Resources Director. Majority of responsibilities will relate to the Tributary Lake Whitefish project.

· Assist Fisheries Biologist and/or Great Lakes Research Specialist in coordinating research design and execution.

· Assist Fisheries Biologist and/or Great Lake Research Specialist in preparation of reports, presentations and/or published papers.

· Assist and participate in current research projects (primarily Lake Whitefish) surrounding native fish species.

· Assist with operations of the LTBB Fisheries Enhancement Facility related to Whitefish rearing.

· Assist Fisheries Biologist and/or Great Lakes Researcher in the analysis and graphing of collected data.

· Operate computer equipment and technology as related to jobs (GIS, Image Pro, Excel, R, various photo editing software programs).

Fieldwork and Laboratory:

· Assist in fisheries program assessments using a variety of gear types (gill nets, trawls, seines, impoundment nets, and hydroacoustics).

· Assist in collection, analysis, and recording of biological data (sex, age, maturity, spawning condition, diet, health status) of harvested fish. This project, however, will primarily deal with age-0 fish.

· Assist in habitat assessment activities (primarily spawning reefs and stretches of river) for Lake Whitefish suitability.

· Prepare and analyze scale, fin and/or otolith samples for age estimation.

· Responsible for transporting and operating Tribal research vessels.

· Download and archive temperature data and underwater video collected from field.

· Operate various types of field equipment (GPS, field meters, radios, power tools, etc. as needed).

· Maintain telemetry receivers/tags, and construct anchors.

· Assist with implantation of acoustic telemetry tags in Lake Whitefish with LTBB’s Research program or in conjunction with project partners (USGS, SSMT, BMIC, USFWS, TNC)

· Assist with sampling of Tributary Lake Whitefish project rivers: Jordan River, Carp River, Muskegon River. Technician will use a variety of gears (drift nets, kick nets, electrofishing) to sample the early life stages of Lake Whitefish (eggs, larvae, juveniles).

Other Duties:
· Assist in composting of fishery assessments offal and processing fish for distribution.

· Assist in maintaining fisheries equipment (boat, trucks, lab equipment, etc.).

· Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Bachelor’s Degree (B.A. or B.S) from four-year college or university preferred; a minimum of 30 credits completed in Fishery/Wildlife, Biology, or related program, or one year of related experience in fisheries management or research. Familiarity with operation of boats and standard fisheries assessment gear required. Experience with fish collection, tagging, and aging techniques preferred. SCUBA open-water certification is desirable. Valid driver’s license required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: While performing the duties of this position, the employee will be required to stand, walk, use hands, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, swim, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl especially when working with fisheries equipment on the lake. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 100 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Will be regularly exposed to wet and/or humid condition and extreme outdoor weather conditions. The employee will be frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts. Occasionally field duties will require travelling long distances in harsh weather. Travel and stay at remote locations, including camping at sampling locations is expected.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Must be able to work on the Great Lakes in all weather conditions. Must be mechanically inclined so as to be able to maintain and make minor repairs on the fisheries assessment vessel and equipment. Must have reliable transportation and be insurable for duration of employment. Individuals must pass a thorough background investigation, including criminal and employment.

COMMENTS: Native preference will apply.

ABOUT US: On Sept. 21, 1994, the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (LTBB) was federally reaffirmed with the signing of Public Law 103-324. The Tribe is governed by a nine-member Tribal Council who serve staggered terms. The LTBB Government presently employs over 200 employees across more than 20 departments, ranging from Healthcare to Natural Resources.

TO APPLY: Please submit LTBB Application Form (available on our website), Resume, and Cover Letter by Email to hr@ltbbodawa-nsn.gov or via Fax, Mail, or In Person at our Human Resources office. LTBB Application Form: https://ltbbodawa-nsn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Employment-Application.pdf

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $15.98 - $22.37 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person

Salary : $16 - $22