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Fisheries Technician 2- Juvenile Salmon Survival
Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission
Feluy, 7181 Seneffe, Belgium
Posted on Feb 23, 2026
Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is seeking a few highly motivated individuals to assist the U.S. Geological Survey as a Fisheries Technician at the Western Fisheries Research Center in Clarkston, WA.
Position/Project Specifics:
This will involve field work in boats on large rivers and reservoirs around the region and on foot. This research is related to a growth and survival study of juvenile fall Chinook salmon as well as GBT (gas bubble trauma) monitoring.
The incumbent will assist in the daily field work activities which consists of seining and electrofishing. The incumbent will assist with PIT (passive integrated transponder) tagging of juvenile fall Chinook salmon, as well as examining resident fish under a microscope for signs of GBT. The incumbent will assist in spawning ground surveys and carcass sampling.
The incumbent will assist in the collection of samples for laboratory analysis. Laboratory analysis will consist of zooplankton identification and quantification etc. The incumbent will also assist in the removal of fish organs to be analyzed at a later date.
Essential Functions: Included in this band are skilled technician positions. Some functions performed by employees can be identical to those performed by fishery biologists at the entry-level or advanced entry-level. The distinction in titling is intent. Positions in this group and pay band are not intended to lead to higher level, professional Fishery Biologist 2 positions.
(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.)
- Lead and participate in survey crews that conduct fishery presence/absence research, recreational/commercial fishing surveys, anadromous fish escapement surveys (carcass, redd, trap/weir, snorkel, etc.), or tag detection and mark recovery surveys. Make standardized observations such as species identification, length, weight, behavior, growth, survival, reproductive condition, fin clips or tags, and/or signs of parasites, diseases or pathogens.
- Lead and participate in crews engaged in captive fish rearing activities including spawning, incubating, feeding, sampling, sorting, handling, medicating, anesthetizing, and transporting fish. Crew may also monitor the status of facility systems and equipment, fabricate, construct, and maintain systems. Gather research data and organize information from fish samples or experimental projects.
- Lead crew in regular facility inspections including, for example, dewatering equipment, pumps, flumes, gates, tanks, screens, filters, gatewells, and/or tag interrogation equipment. Crew may also monitor and maintain water quality levels. Record findings and adjustments made. Provide input for facility improvements. Respond appropriately and immediately to emergencies.
- Lead crew in watershed and stream assessments and habitat surveys. May include stream habitat inventories (channel typing, habitat typing, woody debris, etc.), road inventories, and riparian inventories.
- Develop and install components of naturalistic environments. Assist with analysis of the behavior of different species in simulated environments. Videotape, photograph, and record data for characteristics such as growth, health, fitness, social activity, reproductive success, foraging success, and anti-predator behavior.
- Update database by entering, checking, and/or editing biological or habitat data that has been inputted on field forms, electronic data loggers, and/or desktop computers. Maintain, organize and provide access to databases. Write memoranda and short reports for transfer of data. Produce summaries including corrections. Produce presentation quality tables and graphs of data.
- Assist pathologists with routine diagnoses of fish mortalities including necropsy and sampling for pathogens.
- Perform precision ageing of two to four different species of fish in a laboratory setting. Record age and growth data in the appropriate format; summarize and input data. Collect and organize biological samples and collections. Document ageing problems, techniques and results in annual production ageing reports. May assist with preliminary data summaries and analyses, or technical report writing.
Knowledge Required by the Position:
- Knowledge of fishery biology (including knowledge of particular species of fish).
- Knowledge of fish husbandry.
- Knowledge of aquatic habitats.
- Knowledge of the scientific method.
- Knowledge of sampling protocols.
- Knowledge of personal computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, e-mail, publishing software, presentation software, database software, topographic software, bibliographic software, and statistical analysis packages.
- Knowledge of technical writing protocols.
- Knowledge of basic math.
Employees have the knowledge to resolve common technical or procedural problems for themselves or their work crew. They are able to assess or interpret the significance of their results and relate that to the overall objective of the project. They have the knowledge to outline, organize and execute the details of projects where unusual or irregular procedural or technical problems arise.
Additional Mandatory Skills:
- Compile and collect neat and accurate data
- Data synthesis and basic analysis
- Report writing
- Proficient in computer software, such as ArcGIS, Excel and Word
- Valid driver's license
- Oral communication
- Written communication
- CPR/First Aid
- Maintain boats and vehicles
Physical Demands:
The work requires physical exertion such as bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, pushing, pulling, climbing ladders, or similar activities. The incumbent should be able to lift up to 40 pounds. Additionally, the work requires above average manual dexterity and coordination, necessary to perform common laboratory techniques and safely negotiate wet river banks and slippery rocks.
Work Environment:
Work is based at the Western Fisheries Research Center located in Clarkston, WA. The incumbent conducts a combination of office, laboratory, and field work. The office and laboratory are adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. Temperature and weather extremes and field work at night (on boats at times) may be encountered in the performance of outdoor work. Field and laboratory duties may require the use of special protective gear. The incumbent is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow coworkers, or property with which entrusted.