Fishery Biologist 1- Tagging Trailer Operator

The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is hiring Fishery Biologist 1 - Tagging Trailer Operator in Lewiston, ID. The role involves operating a fish-marking trailer, troubleshooting equipment, and tagging juvenile salmon. Candidates will lead data entry, assist with fish husbandry, and travel to various fish hatcheries in Idaho. The position offers hands-on experience in a hatchery environment and may lead to full-time employment.
Position/Project Specifics:

3 positions with an anticipated start date of 4/14/25.

The Trailer Operator is responsible for operating an automated fish-marking trailer that removes adipose fins and injects coded-wire tags into the snouts of juvenile salmon and steelhead. The Trailer Operator maintains this trailer and is responsible for troubleshooting and repairing various pieces of a complex network of computers, cameras, motors, and other electrical and mechanical equipment on the Idaho Fish-Marking Program. This position then transitions into Trailer Operators PIT-tagging juvenile salmonids and using the P4 PIT-tagging software. Significant travel is involved working and traveling to the nine different IDFG anadromous fish hatcheries throughout the state of Idaho working collaboratively with IDFG to complete the project. Opportunity to gain extensive experience in a hatchery environment and some fish-rearing experience.

There is a potential for the right candidate(s) of moving to full year/full time employees in early December.

Essential Functions:
• Lead and participate in crews that conduct marking and tagging operations.
• Lead and perform data entry. Error check the data, maintain and update database, analyze and organize data in the appropriate format (table, spreadsheet, memorandum, or report) necessary for transfer to individuals, agencies, and organizations. Prepare summary reports to transfer data.
• Lead crew or assist hatchery manager with maintenance of fish including feeding fish, cleaning tanks, establishing feeding schedules, assessing growth, and monitoring fish health. Collect samples of blood and tissues. Monitor and maintain facility systems, equipment, and water quality. Maintain records of data and perform routine analysis.

Knowledge Required by the Position:
• Knowledge of fishery biology (including knowledge of particular species of fish).
• Knowledge of fish husbandry.
• 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.

Additional Mandatory Skills:
• elec. detection technology
• lift 40-50 lbs.
• valid driver's license
• tow & maneuver trailers
• fish species ID skills
• compile and collect neat and accurate data
• specific software skills (spreadsheet, word processing, database, GIS, statistical)
• oral communication skills
• written communication skills
• repair & maintain equipment

Physical Demands:

Demands can range from sedentary, to moderate --where there is walking, climbing stairs and ladders, reaching, lifting, and bending, to rigorous. In the latter case, the employee must be able to handle buckets of water or gear weighing up to 50 pounds. Long daily periods of hiking, carrying equipment, swimming, and/or standing may be required.

Work Environment:

Some work is performed in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating and ventilation. Some work may be performed in fish processing labs, fish holding areas, and/or in the field. Employees may work on narrow, elevated walkways and platforms that are over or adjacent to water.