Fisheries Technician 1- Merced River Hatchery Tagging Assistant

Position/Project Specifics:

The Fisheries Technician would assist in the tagging of 250,000 juvenile Chinook salmon at the Merced River Fish Hatchery. The technician's primary focus will be on the manual removal of adipose fins and injection of a coded-wired tag into the nasal cavity of the fish. At the start of each workday, the technician will be required to safely net fish from the raceway and relocate them into the tagging trailer for processing and lead these efforts. At the end of the day, untagged fish will need to be replaced back in their respective lots. This task will require the technician to lift up to 50 pounds. The technician may also be asked to assist trailer maintenance that may include troubleshooting the drainage system, reconfiguration of return piping, and water filter cleaning. The technician may also be asked to assist or lead the collection of quality control samples.

The minimum qualifications for employment include a High School Diploma. Candidates with college course work in biological sciences is preferred, but not required.

Essential Functions: (The functions listed below are characteristic of the type and level of work associated with this group and pay band. They are not all-inclusive. Individual positions may perform some or all, as well as other similar work.)

• Collect and organize biological and habitat samples and collections (such as scales, otoliths, ageing structures, other tissues, water quality, etc.).
• Support captive fish rearing activities including spawning, incubating, feeding, sampling, sorting, handling, medicating, anesthetizing, and transporting fish. Monitor the status of facility systems and equipment. Assist in development, fabrication, construction, and maintenance of systems.
• Make regular facility inspections including, for example, dewatering equipment, pumps, flumes, gates, tanks, screens, filters, gatewells, and/or tag interrogation equipment. Monitor and maintain water quality levels. Record findings and adjustments made. Respond appropriately and immediately to emergencies.

Knowledge Required by the Position:

At the lower end of the range, employees use knowledge of basic arithmetic, reading, writing, and data collection to perform routine or repetitive tasks.

At the upper end of the position range, employees use knowledge of the basic principles and protocols of fish biology to make readings, measurements, and observations; execute tests; collect samples, etc. If complex equipment systems are operated, the employee has the knowledge to perform calibrations or adjustments to achieve desired results.

Additional Mandatory Skills:

• electronic detection technology
• lift 40 - 50 lbs.
• fish species ID skills
• compile and collect neat and accurate data
• oral communication skills
• written communication skills
• repair & maintain equipment

Physical Demands:

Demands can range from moderate -where there is walking, climbing stairs and ladders, reaching, lifting, bending, and strenuous sweeping- to rigorous. In the latter case, the incumbent must be able to handle buckets of water or gear weighing up to 50 pounds. Long daily periods of hiking, carrying equipment, swimming, and/or standing may be required.

Work Environment:

A portion of the work is performed in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating and ventilation. The majority is performed in fish processing labs, fish holding areas, and/or in the field. Incumbents may work on narrow, elevated walkways and platforms that are over or adjacent to water.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

A range of experience and education may be presented. At the lower end of the range, candidates must present six months of General Experience* OR one year of education above the high school level that included at least six semester hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses. An equivalent combination of experience and education is also qualifying.

At the upper end of the range, candidates must present one year of Specialized Experience** OR a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with a major or at least 24 semester hours of coursework in any combination of scientific or technical courses. An equivalent combination of experience and education is also qualifying.

• General Experience is (1) any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with biological sciences or the processes of the biological sciences.

**Specialized Experience is experience that equips the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position being filled