LTE Fisheries Research Assistants (Boulder Junction/ Plum Lake and Spooner)

We are dedicated to working with Wisconsinites while preserving and enhancing the natural resources of Wisconsin. In partnership with individuals and organizations; DNR staff manage fish, wildlife, forests, parks, air and water resources while promoting a healthy, sustainable environment and a full range of outdoor opportunities.

The Wisconsin DNR's Office of Applied Science is hiring up to FIVE LTE (Limited Term Employee) – Fisheries Research Assistants at our offices, in Spooner and Boulder Junction/ Plum Lake, WI.

This recruitment may be used to fill future similar vacancies.

To see all opportunities currently available at DNR, follow this link: DNR (wisc.jobs).

Spooner Fisheries Research Assistant

Assist with all aspects of fisheries research conducted at the Spooner Service Center, including data collection, data entry and analysis, writing reports, and independent research. Job duties will assist on-site research scientists and biologists with directed fisheries research projects. The job requires office and field work and situations in which the incumbent will serve as crew leader.

40% - Assist the Northern Lakes Fisheries Research Scientist and Spooner Fisheries Research Biologist with all aspects of the Big Round Lake alum treatment study and Spider Lake Chain muskellunge/northern pike study. Job duties include limnological and zooplankton sampling, temperature logger deployment, maintenance, and downloading of data, PIT tag receiver and acoustic receiver downloading and maintenance, fish tagging, and fish assessments.

20% - Assist with all fisheries research field surveys and hatchery protocols related to the Muskellunge Age and Growth study. Job duties include fyke netting, marking of fish, implanting hatchery-reared muskellunge with PIT tags, the collection of length, weight, sex, and aging information from all surveyed fishes, data entry, data QA/QC, and data summarization and visualization.

20% - Maintenance and repair of all fisheries and limnological sampling gears. Job duties included boat, trailer, outboard, net, and equipment maintenance and repair.

20% - Conduct independent research related to the Muskellunge Age and Growth, Alum Treatment Effects on Fishes, or Spider Lake Chain muskellunge/northern pike studies as directed by the Fisheries Research Team Leader and Northern Lakes Fisheries Research Scientist. Job duties include data acquisition, data visualization and statistical analyses, and report and manuscript writing.

Boulder Junction/ Plum Lake Fisheries Research Assistant

Assist with all aspects of fisheries research conducted at the Escanaba Lake Research Station, including data collection, data entry and analysis, writing reports, and independent research. Job duties will assist on-station research scientists with directed fisheries research projects and participation in the Northern Highland Fishery Research Area compulsory creel census. The job requires office and field work and situations in which the incumbent will serve as crew leader.

25% - Interview anglers as part of the NHFRA compulsory creel census. Job duties include interviewing anglers prior to and after fishing events, recording all required permit information, accurately measuring, weighing, and sexing all harvested fishes, and data management.

25% - Maintenance of Escanaba Lake Research Station building, grounds, and equipment. Job duties include building upkeep, lawn mowing, landscaping, and maintenance and repair of all fisheries research field gear including boats, trailers, nets, and other equipment.

25% - Assist with all fisheries research field surveys. Job duties include fyke netting, electrofishing, gill netting, marking of fish, radio telemetry, PIT tag readers, the collection of length, weight, sex, and aging information from all surveyed fishes, and standardized limnological sampling.

25% - Conduct independent research related to high priority fisheries research needs of the Bureau of Fisheries Management at the direction of the Fisheries Research Team Leader and Northern Lakes Fisheries Research Scientist. Job duties include data acquisition, data visualization and statistical analyses, and report and manuscript writing.

Positions in Spooner pay $17.50 per hour.

Positions in Boulder Junction/ Plum Lake pay $17.00 per hour.

The positions are in the Fisheries Technician classification in pay schedule and range 06-12. Compensation will be set in accordance with the State Compensation Plan.

This is a Limited Term Employment (LTE) position and will not automatically lead to permanent state employment or be entitled to the same benefits as permanent employees.

More about LTE positions:

1) Offer a great opportunity to gain experience and learn about careers at the WI Department of Natural Resources.

2) Provide opportunities for individuals to enhance their resumes with skills learned on the job.

3) May accommodate flexibility for part-time or full-time work hours and seasonal schedules. Work schedules are dependent on business needs.

4) Allow individuals to hold multiple LTE appointments concurrently. If both LTE positions are at the same agency, the positions must be bona fide different positions. Each individual LTE position allows for maximum of 1039 hours in a twelve-month period.

Special Requirements:

1) Residency: To be considered for this position, you must be a resident of the State of Wisconsin.

A Wisconsin resident is a person who:

a. Has established a residence, as defined in s. 6.10(1), in this state not less than 10 days earlier;

b. Has resided in this state for not less than a total of one year out of the immediately preceding 5 years;

c. Is eligible to register to vote in this state; or

d. Is the spouse of a person meeting the requirements of par. (a), (b), or (c).” s.230.03(12), Wis. Stats.

2) Background Checks: The Department of Natural Resources conducts criminal background checks on final applicants prior to a job offer. Please note that a criminal charge or conviction on your record will not necessarily disqualify you from state employment. In compliance with the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, the DNR does not discriminate on the basis of arrest or conviction record.

3) Eligible to work in U.S.: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire. The Department of Natural Resources does not sponsor work visas at the time of hire or anytime during employment. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required Employment Eligibility I-9 form upon hire.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The DNR is an equal opportunity employer that promotes and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability.

In addition to the required qualifications below, the selected candidate must be eligible to drive a state vehicle and meet the following criteria:

• Have a valid driver’s license
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have a minimum of two years licensed driving experience
• Have not had three (3) or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents in the past two (2) years
• Have no OWI/DUI violations within the past year

Required qualifications:

• Experience with standardized fisheries sampling gears
• Proficient in identifying the fishes of Wisconsin
• Experience maintaining and repairing basic fisheries sampling gears and equipment
• Ability to work in inclement weather and on weekends and holidays

Preferred qualifications:

• B.S. degree in fisheries management, biology, natural resources management or related field or currently in pursuit of such a degree
• Experience with fish tagging procedures
• Experience with database management and common fisheries statistical analyses
• Experience with report and manuscript writing

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For any position-related questions, please feel free to contact Gregory.Sass@wisconsin.gov.

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Your resume and letter of qualifications are very important parts of your application and are used during our evaluation process to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job. For instructions on developing your resume and letter of qualifications and what should be included in these materials, click here.

Applications must be received by 11:59pm, Central Time, on January 29th, 2025 in order to be considered.