Fisheries Technician 4

The State of Montana is hiring a Fisheries Technician 4 in Billings, MT. The role involves fieldwork assessing aquatic species and habitats, requiring physical stamina and outdoor work in varying conditions. Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter. The position offers benefits like health insurance and retirement. Work is full-time, typically Monday to Friday, with some weekends and long days required. Familiarity with boats and data entry skills are necessary.
THE OUTSIDE IS IN US ALL.

Please remember to attach the required documents listed in this announcement.
• Resume
• Cover Letter

Applications missing the requested documents will be considered incomplete and may not progress further in the process. Documents not requested will not be considered in the recruitment process. The State Application is not a substitute for a Resume. This position closes at 11:59 PM Mountain Time on April 14th, 2025. You must apply through the State of Montana Career site.

Special Information:

Identity of applicants who become finalists may be releases to the public if the Department deems it necessary. Employees who exceed 1,040 hours in a calendar year are also provided health, dental and life insurance. Other benefits include retirement, paid vacation, sick and holidays. This position may be covered by a VEBA (Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association).

A successful applicant will be subject to a background investigation.

Women and minorities are under-represented in this job category and are encouraged to apply.

Work is primarily performed in the field. The incumbent will assist the fisheries division with survey and inventory of aquatic species and their habitats using traditional sampling gear ( e.g., backpack and boat electrofishing, fyke traps, angling, hoop-nets, seining) and other equipment to assess abundance, recruitment, age, growth, mortality, movement and behavior, as well as angler use and preference. This position requires the ability to learn, operate, and maintain fisheries field and lab equipment. Familiarity with boats is preferred. The ability to lift and carry heavy objects (75 lbs.) on uneven terrain, in and around water, and carry heavy packs (50 lbs.) for extended periods overtime is required. Must have experience working in backcountry environments and the willingness to work outdoors, in and around water, including in inclement weather and potentially hazardous conditions. Good organizational and time management skills are needed as well as the ability to take direction and learn to accurately collect, record, and summarize data, and identify fish to species. This position is also responsible for equipment maintenance and purchasing. Some office work is required and may include data entry, drafting reports, ageing fish, or other fisheries and limnology studies. Basic knowledge of computer applications like Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Spreadsheets are required.

Full time 40 hours per week with daily and seasonal variations in workload. The fisheries technician is typically expected to work Monday-Friday during normal business hours with exceptions including weekends and long days, as necessary. Incumbent must be flexible and willing to adapt to changing work demands. Most field work will be completed during day trips (often greater than 8 hours), but camping and backpacking trips in remote areas and hiking long distances (10 miles) is required. Compensatory time is earned after 40 hours in a week when activity is approved.

Primary work areas for the western position encompasses all or portions of the following river basins: Yellowstone, Stillwater, Boulder, and Clarks Fork Yellowstone including smaller streams and various reservoirs and ponds. Additionally, this position would assist on the eastern Region 5 waters.

The position is based out FWP Region 5 headquarters at Lake Elmo State Park in Billings, Montana. Additional locations within the work area may be considered on a case by case basis. Located in southcentral Montana, Billings is Montana's largest city with two major hospitals, several colleges, and an international airport. Billings has activities from concerts, live theatre, professional indoor football, and many other personal interest organizations. Region 5 is home to Granite Peak, the highest peak in Montana, located in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, and the driest desert in Montana located south of the Pryor Mountains. There are a wide variety of recreational opportunities such as walking/biking trails in the city, bird and wildlife watching and nearby skiing, fishing, climbing, hiking, and hunting opportunities, and a variety of local, state, and national attractions. The Yellowstone River is a defining feature flowing through both Billings and the region. It offers a wealth of opportunity for camping, floating, fishing, waterfowl hunting, and more. For more information on the area see: Visit Billings.

Job Duties:
• This position serves as the fisheries technicians the West side of Region 5 including the Yellowstone River, Stillwater River, Boulder River, Clarks Fork Yellowstone River, and Beartooth and Crazy Mountains.
• in general, the duties of this job may include:
• assisting with the survey and inventory of diverse fishes including Yellowstone cutthroat, brown, and rainbow trout, channel catfish, burbot, mountain whitefish, walleye, sauger, bass, native suckers, minnows, and other native and non-native species
• operating equipment such as electrofishing gear, drift boats, jet boats, four-wheel drive vehicles, and ATVs
• conducting maintenance, purchasing, repairing, assembling, cleaning, and testing of a variety of field equipment such as boats and motors, vehicles, electrofishing units, nets, and specialized fisheries survey and inventory equipment and ensure they are field ready
• recording, entering, and summarizing ecological/biological data using standard software and existing databases; assists in the preparation of and reviews reports
• may serve as a lead worker for day-to-day operations; provides leadership, supervisor, and training for co-workers, interns, and volunteers in fisheries management, sampling skills, equipment operation and maintenance, laboratory techniques, and policies
• performs other duties as assigned including education and outreach, and assisting with private pond and 310 inspections

The knowledge, skills, and abilities of this position are normally attained through combination of education and experience equivalent to:
• A bachelor’s degree in fish biology, fish and wildlife management, ecology, biology.
• One year of job-related experience.

Other combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Requires consistent work outdoors under all weather conditions during Spring-Fall, heavy lifting, walking and working in streams and rivers, hiking with 50 lb pack for up to 5 miles.