Fish and Wildlife Technician
State of Oregon
John Day , Oregon
The Fish Screens Technician manufactures, installs and repairs fish screening and passage facilities. S/he will perform a variety of technical and manual labor duties for the protection of fish species. Major duties and responsibilities are to:
• Assist with the building of new or reassembly of concrete forms. Operation and maintenance of heavy equipment. Operation and maintenance of shop equipment and a variety of power and hand tools. Ability to use project blueprints to construct and implement fish screen and passage projects. Assist with project site survey, excavation for form installation, setting forms and installation of structural steel. Assist crews in pouring and finishing concrete fish screen and passage structures. Assist with the removal of forms, backfill, by-pass pipe installation and site cleanup. Assist with welding, fabrication and installation of fish screen and passage components.
• Monitor the effectiveness of fish screens and passage structures by periodic inspections. Perform minor maintenance (inspection, lubrication, cleaning) and major maintenance (fabrication, replacement and repair of screen and passage components) on fish screens and passage structures as needed. Respond to water user’s complaints regarding malfunctioning fish screens and passage structures on their property. Schedule repairs or modifications of fish screens and passage systems as needed. Maintain records of fish screen and passage systems constructed, installed and repaired. Provide technical direction and guidance for water users and private contractors who choose to design, construct, install, operate and maintain their own fish screen and passage systems.
• Maintain inventory of equipment, tools, parts and supplies necessary to construct, repair and maintain fish screen and passage systems. Determine and recommend purchases for tools, parts and supplies to the supervisor.
• Provide periodic reports to supervisor on screening and passage system activities. Complete written mileage reports for vehicles, time sheets, weekly activity reports, monthly reports and assist with project billings.
Working Conditions
• Exposure to adverse weather conditions. Requires maintenance and construction work in and near water.
• Frequent use of pickups, equipment, hand and power tools including welders. Occasional use of backhoes and other heavy equipment.
• Frequent lifting up to 50 pounds of construction materials, or more with assistance.
• Frequent travel, often involving overnight stays.
• Occasionally required to walk long distances, carrying tools and supplies to structure sites.
• Occasionally perform duties independently or with minimal supervision.
• Requires a flexible work schedule that varies in the number of hours worked on a daily basis, but not necessarily each day, or a work schedule in which the starting and stopping times vary on a daily basis, but not necessarily each day. This includes working at all hours and workdays in excess of eight hours.
• The position at this work location requires the possession of a Class A Commercial Driver License (CDL) with any Automatic Transmission CMV Restrictions removed. On your application, be sure to indicate in the Certificates & Licenses section if you have a CDL. If the selected applicant does not possess a CDL, s/he is required to obtain this license within six months of hire and must retain it as a condition of continued employment in this position. The department does not pay the cost for the CDL nor for physicals required to hold a CDL. Pursuant to the Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991 and Federal Highway Administration regulations, candidates must successfully pass an alcohol/controlled substance test before being hired into this position. Additionally, employees required to hold a CDL will be subject to random, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, return-to-duty, and follow-up alcohol/controlled substance testing as a condition of employment.
• This position requires occasional use of a firearm to deliver immobilization drugs and projecting nets for wildlife capture, euthanizing injured or sick wildlife, killing or hazing nuisance animals and birds, collecting animals for research or other studies, and protection from dangerous animals in close quarters. The successful candidate will be subject to an initial criminal history background check with fingerprinting to verify s/he may legally possess a firearm before using a firearm, and will be subject to annual criminal history checks thereafter. Continued employment is contingent upon passing the criminal history background check.
NOTE: You must have a valid driver license and an acceptable driving record.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife will check driving records for in-state finalists. Out-of-state finalists will be required to present a current driving record for review.
NOTE: Within three-days of hire, applicants will be required to complete the U.S. Department Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. ODFW participates in E-Verify. ODFW is not able to support VISA sponsorships.
Qualifications, Required & Requested Skills
Minimum Qualifications
• An Associate’s degree in Fisheries Technology, Aquaculture, Aquarium Science, Wildlife Technology or Agriculture; OR
• Eighteen months of experience in fisheries, fish culture, fish screens, care of livestock, agricultural research and experimentation, monitoring game or wildlife, or farming.
A higher level degree in Fisheries or Wildlife Science, or a closely-related degree with at least 45 quarter (30 semester) hours of biological/ecological coursework will substitute for the Associate’s degree.
Note: Your application materials must clearly describe how you meet these qualifications. Answers to the supplemental questions must be supported by the “Work Experience” section of your Oregon E-Recruit application.
Note: You are strongly encouraged to attach a copy of all transcripts (if education is required to qualify) in order to receive credit for college degrees or coursework. If your transcripts are not attached, you will be required to provide a copy of your official or original transcripts (online are acceptable) during the selection process that show your name, the name/address of the institution, coursework with passing grades, and degree conferred (including date) to validate education, if necessary.
Requested Skills
Preference will be given to applicants with the following experience:
• Using hand and power tools
• Operating pumps and equipment
• Using an arc welder and cutting torches
• Working with construction related equipment
• Operating heavy equipment (such as backhoe, forklift, farm equipment)
• Using Microsoft Word and Excel