Fisheries Research Technician – Salmon Weir Operations

Overview

Lynker is seeking a part-time Fisheries Research Technician to support NOAA NMFS AFSC, Auke Bay Laboratories. This position supports ongoing salmon research at the Auke Creek Research Station in Juneau, Alaska, through fish sampling, salmon husbandry, salmon weir operations, environmental monitoring, data management, statistical analysis, and scientific reporting.

The Auke Creek Research Station is a fish weir and experimental hatchery facility that supports the complete enumeration of juvenile and returning adult coho, pink, and sockeye salmon. Data collected at Auke Creek provide indices of salmon productivity, inform fisheries science and management in Southeast Alaska, and help researchers understand the effects of climate variability during critical periods of Pacific salmon life cycles.

The technician may also support fisheries research at NOAA NMFS’s remote Little Port Walter Marine Research Station for up to four weeks.

Duties of the Fisheries Research Technician will include the following:

• Coordinate and assist with fish collection, biological sampling, coded-wire tagging, spawning, and fish-processing activities.

• Collect, preserve, and digitize salmon scales.

• Support salmon husbandry activities and maintain associated equipment.

• Collect and document daily environmental data.

• Coordinate and participate in the installation, reconfiguration, removal, maintenance, and safe daily operation of research salmon weirs at Auke Creek and Sashin Creek.

• Stage and de-stage field equipment, samples, supplies, data, and other materials needed for research activities.

• Document staged and de-staged items, including their storage locations, within required time frames.

• Enter fish abundance, length, weight, spawning, husbandry, scale, and environmental data into spreadsheets and databases.

• Analyze fisheries data using the R statistical software package.

• Conduct literature reviews related to salmon and fisheries research.

• Assist with the preparation and editing of reports, standard operating procedures, manuscripts, State of Alaska permitting reports, and NOAA Technical Memoranda.

• Prepare written summaries of data collected, analyses completed, and data-file locations.

• Provide weekly updates regarding data entry, analysis, reporting, and other assigned work.

• Contribute to monthly progress reports describing accomplishments, issues, travel, action items, and recommendations.

• Document and immediately report deviations from established scientific protocols.

• Immediately report observed safety concerns or injuries.

• Safely operate powered small boats in Alaska waters.

• Safely operate power tools required for field activities.

• Support fisheries research at Little Port Walter for up to four weeks, as required.

The Fisheries Research Technician should have the following:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in fisheries, aquaculture, genetics, biology, natural science, mathematics, or another field directly related to the work.

• At least three years of related experience, or a combination totaling seven years of relevant education and experience.

• A higher-level science degree may substitute for experience.

• Experience with salmon husbandry techniques.

• Experience using the R statistical software package.

• Experience entering information into databases.

• Experience working in remote areas of Alaska.

• Experience working extended hours in adverse environmental conditions.

• Experience working aboard or operating powered small boats in Alaska waters.

• Experience safely operating power tools used for fieldwork.

• Ability to lift and move items weighing up to 20 kilograms, approximately 44 pounds, without assistance.

• Ability to successfully complete the required background investigation and obtain public-trust suitability before beginning work.

• Ability to comply with NOAA NMFS safety, security, records-management, confidentiality, and information-technology requirements.

The Ideal Fisheries Research Technician will have the following:

• Previous experience conducting salmon research at a fish weir, hatchery, or fisheries field station.

• Previous experience supporting NOAA NMFS, the Alaska Fisheries…