Central Region Aquatics Technician I

Opening date: Jan. 23, 2025
Closing date: Feb. 16, 2025
Salary: Minimum $15.58 (depending on experience)
Location: Springville, UT
Time frame: Approximately March 3 to June 30, 2025 (or later)
Positions available: 1–3
Housing: Not provided

The Utah Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife Resources, has full-time (40 hours per week) seasonal positions (no benefits) available in Springville, Utah. This appointment will last from March through June 2025, with some positions possibly extended until October 2025, pending funding.

Job duties
General duties include:

• Assisting with habitat restoration and conservation projects
• Assisting with the collection, identification and curation of aquatic species
• Collecting, entering and analyzing data
• Participating in public outreach and citizen scientist projects
• Maintaining equipment and sampling gear
• May also assist the DWR’s June sucker biologist, carp biologist or other aquatics staff with sampling, restoration or outreach activities, as needed

Technicians may be hired to fill one of the three positions; however, it is expected that each hire is comfortable completing tasks outlined in the job descriptions below.

Position 1: Native aquatics
This position is primarily tasked with assisting the native aquatics biologist with the surveying, monitoring and conservation of Utah’s aquatic species of greatest conservation need.

Primary duties include:

• Assisting with population monitoring, distribution surveys and conservation projects to benefit aquatic species, including the Columbia spotted frog, western (boreal) toad, least chub, southern leatherside chub, mollusks and other aquatic species of greatest conservation need
• Assisting with surveying stream, spring and pond habitats using various sampling methods, including backpack electrofishing, seining, minnow traps, pit tagging, visual encounter surveys and snorkel surveys

Position 2: Sportfish
This position primarily assists the DWR’s sportfish biologists in surveying, monitoring and conserving Utah’s aquatic species, such as Bonneville cutthroat trout, walleye, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and various warmwater and coldwater species.

Primary duties include:

• Assisting with stream sampling surveys in cool and potentially swift water
• Assisting with lake surveys that involve gill, trap and electrofishing surveys
• Monitoring water quality using a YSI meter in community fisheries
• Assisting hatchery staff by stocking fish at destination and local waterbodies

This position will have various responsibilities from teamwork to individual tasks. The preferred candidate should have the ability to drive trucks, tow trailers, drive boats and operate 4×4 vehicles in potentially rough conditions.

Position 3: Creel Clerk
This position is primarily tasked with assisting the DWR’s sportfish biologists with counting and interviewing anglers at waterbodies within the region.

Primary duties include:

• Talking to anglers about fishing and asking questions regarding their day
• Counting and monitoring the usage at specific times and days of the week

This position has various responsibilities associated with interviewing anglers that involve inconsistent yet scheduled workdays. Shifts will vary from early morning to late evening and will involve both weekday and weekend work. The expected work schedule will be planned and is expected to remain as scheduled. Alterations to the schedule may be possible and will be given advanced notice.

Job requirements and skills
Applicants must be 18 or older, have a valid driver’s license at the time of employment and must successfully pass a criminal history background check upon hire. Applicants should have the ability to work independently and follow written and verbal instructions.

Preference may be given to applicants who have prior fisheries/aquatics experience, outdoor experience or water experience. Preference may also be given to applicants who currently have or are in the process of obtaining a related degree.

Knowledge of aquatic sampling methods, aquatic species identification, data management and public outreach skills are desired.

Other
Applicants must be willing to conduct fieldwork for an extended period of time in a variety of weather conditions. Work requires physical exertion. May require the ability to stand, walk over rough surfaces, bend, crouch, stoop, stretch, reach and lift moderately heavy items (up to 50 lbs.) in a recurring manner and/or for long periods of time. The typical work schedule is Monday through Thursday, 10 hours per day. Occasional overnight, Friday or weekend work may be requested.

Applications
Interested applicants may apply by emailing a seasonal application, resume/CV, references and brief cover letter explaining your interest in this position to:

Kaitlyn Purington
1115 N. Main St.
Springville, UT 84663
801-698-1785
kpurington@utah.gov

And

Tyler Robinson
1115 N. Main St.
Springville, UT 84663
385-482-8586
tjrobinson@utah.gov

ADA information
DNR complies with the ADA. Hearing-impaired employees who wish for further information regarding this announcement may call the DNR TTY number at 801-538-7458. Disabled employees who desire reasonable accommodation in the interview process should contact the DNR Human Resources Office at 385-315-2834.