Fisheries Technician Intern

Expected Dates
July 8, 2019 to November 8, 2019
Site
Mid-Columbia Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office
Position ID
PO-00724896
The US Fish and Wildlife Service is excited to announce a fisheries technician internship at the Mid- Columbia Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office located in Leavenworth, Washington. The intern will be working as a part of a team to support research and monitoring efforts for variety of fishery related projects conducted at salmon hatcheries and rivers in eastern Washington. The intern will provide support to projects conducted by the Hatchery Evaluation, Native Fish Conservation, and Habitat Restoration Programs.  For additional information see:https://www.fws.gov/leavenworthfisheriescomplex/MidColumbiaFWCO/IndexMCFWCO.cfm

The primary duties of this position include:
Field projects (75%)

  • Chinook, Bull Trout, and Pacific Lamprey spawning ground surveys and carcass sampling
  • Trapping and netting juvenile fish
  • Night snorkeling remote streams in the wilderness to document Bull Trout distribution and life history attributes
  • Collecting environmental DNA samples to understand Bull Trout and lamprey species distribution
  • Habitat restoration studies

Hatchery projects (25 %):

  • Fish sampling at multiple National Fish Hatcheries
  • Marking and tagging juvenile hatchery salmon
  • Collecting, dissecting and identifying tags from salmon carcasses

This is a field intensive position that involves working long hours in inclement weather while walking on uneven, slippery terrain in an and around cold swift flowing water.  Night work and backpacking may be necessary for back country studies. Lifting and carrying heavy items up to 50 pounds for extended periods of time may be necessary.
This position will afford the intern the opportunity to gain, or refine, skills in data collection and management, field based GIS mapping, fish identification, fish collection methods (eg. electrofishing), tagging and marking fish, as well as handling endangered and threatened species.

Qualifications:

  • Some course work, experience, and strong interest in fisheries and aquatic sciences
  • Strong swimming ability
  • Ability to work long days in swift moving water and slippery terrain
  • Ability to work as a team and independently
  • Ability to record accurate field data and follow set protocols

Desired Qualifications:

  • Experience in conducting biological surveys
  • Experience in fisheries monitoring
  • Basic knowledge of data entry methods and programs (e.g. Microsoft Access, Excel)

A valid driver’s license is required.  Applicants will be evaluated based on application information, references, and the match of the applicant’s skills with the needs of the field office.

  • Live, work, and play in the heart of Washington State’s Cascade Mountains. The small town “Bavarian Village” of Leavenworth is a premier recreation destination on the dry east side of the state, boasting 300 days of sunshine a year. Leavenworth is surrounded by National Forest and has access to numerous wilderness areas, including the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and the Enchantments, a popular hiking and climbing destination. Rock climbing and mountain biking are accessible from town, and the Wenatchee River flows through town, offering world class whitewater rafting and kayaking. Surrounded by Ponderosa Pines and mountains, the USFWS field office is located down Icicle Canyon, 2.5 miles from town. Twenty-five miles down the road, Wenatchee, WA, and offers more choices of restaurants, grocery stores, and even more access to hiking and mountain biking trails.
  • Swiftwater Awareness
    Fish Identification
    Coded-wire tag dissection
    Salmon/Trout/Lamprey Redd/nest identification
  • Ample after work recreation opportunities exist: hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, mountain biking, rafting, kayaking, fishing, camping, etc. A car would be helpful in accessing trailheads.
  • Yes
Main Area of Focus
Natural Resources Mgmt
Education, Training & Skills Expected
Biology
some coursework or experience
Resource Management
some coursework or experience
Backpacking
some experience
Boating
some experience
Camping
some experience
Data Entry
some experience
Swimming
competent without supervision