Fisheries Technician – Fort McCoy, WI

The Fisheries Technician position at Colorado State University in Fort McCoy, WI involves managing streams and lakes, including fish sampling and water quality monitoring. Candidates need a relevant degree, experience in fisheries management, and skills in data management. The role requires outdoor work in various weather conditions and may involve evening and weekend hours. It is not a remote position, as it is based in Fort McCoy.
Proposed Annual Salary Range:

$40,000 – $42,500

Employee Benefits:

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
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Description of Work Unit:

The Center for Environmental Management for Military Lands (CEMML) is a research, education, and service unit within the Warner College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University (CSU). CEMML applies the latest and most appropriate science to promote the sustainable management of natural and cultural resources on Department of Defense (DoD) and other public lands. We provide technical support, conduct applied research, and offer career development and learning opportunities to support resource stewardship. We collaborate with our sponsors and within CSU to resolve complex environmental issues, leaving a legacy of science-based decisions that sustain our resources for future generations.

To learn more about CEMML’s contributions to land management, our mission, vision, and values, visit http://www.cemml.colostate.edu/.

Position Summary:

Position supports all aspects of stream and lake management including stream improvement, fish sampling, creel surveys, stocking, aquatic plant management, water quality monitoring, and contributing to annual reporting. Position will require occasional weekend and evening work time. This position will engage with lead fisheries biologists, seasonal staff, and the general public. Position requires the ability to traverse difficult terrain and work outdoors in weather extremes. This position is located at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin.

Required Job Qualifications:
• Must have BS/BA degree in fisheries, aquatic biology, or closely related field and at least two seasons professional experience in fisheries management.
• Knowledge of fish species and aquatic plant species of the upper Midwest is required.
• Experience using electroshocking units and handling various fish species is required.
• Experience in data management and entry on desktop computers is a must.
• The successful candidate must be, or be willing to become, SCUBA certified and chainsaw safety certified and must obtain their commercial pesticide applicator’s license within the first six months of employment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills are required.
• Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license by the employment start date.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. by proposed start date; CEMML will not provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Preferred Job Qualifications:
• Field crew leader experience.
• Experience interpreting and communicating fisheries regulations for the public.
• The successful candidate will have experience operating flow meters, dissolved oxygen meters, pH meters, and other remote water quality monitoring devices.
• The successful candidate will have experience in operating and maintaining electroshocking equipment (backpack, towed-barge, and boat electroshocking units), outboard and trolling motors, and laboratory equipment.
• Experience operating chainsaws, identifying invasive species, and conducting brush removal.

Essential Duties:

Job Duty Category: Fisheries Management
• Duty/Responsibility:
• Conduct assessments of the fish assemblages in streams and lakes using backpack, towed-barge, and boat electroshocking units and fyke nets. These assessments will include using best handling practices with captured fish and occasionally implanting T-bar Floy Tags.
• Educate and speak with the public on fisheries management, fishing regulations, and angling experiences. These duties must occasionally be performed during evening and weekend work hours.
• Native and invasive aquatic plant species identification and distribution surveys.
• Monitor water quality on lakes and streams through the collection of water samples and use of both handheld and remote sampling devices.
• Conduct stream habitat assessments, which include recording water quality conditions, water depth, stream width, substrate composition, type and extent of fish cover, and presence of riffles, runs, and pools.
• Record location, species, number, and activity of trout spawning during redd surveys conducted in the fall.
• Maintain and repair electroshocking equipment, outboard and trolling motors, water quality meters, and any other equipment as needed.
• Assist in writing and reviewing reports in Microsoft Word and assist with data summarization and entry using Microsoft Excel.

Percentage Of Time: 60%

Job Duty Category: Habitat Restoration
• Duty/Responsibility:
• Conduct SCUBA surveys to identify and remove invasive aquatic plants.
• Operate a chainsaw to remove invasive woody species along stream banks and apply herbicide to inhibit regrowth of invasive plants.
• Conduct miscellaneous habitat improvements such as distributing grass seed, placing brush bundles, and clearing brush along water bodies to improve angler access.
• Identify areas of stream bank erosion and develop plans to remediate the erosion.
• Provide assistance to wildlife and invasive species programs as needed.

Percentage Of Time: 20%

Job Duty Category: Crew Lead/Outreach
• Duty/Responsibility:
• Lead field crews on assigned daily tasks and delegate tasks as needed.
• Ensure adherence to established procedures for laboratory and field sampling to ensure the accuracy and quality of collected results and use best judgment to determine alterations of these procedures when necessary.
• Coordinate with local schools and host student workdays during which students visit Fort McCoy and attend a half-day presentation on stream ecology.

Percentage Of Time: 20%

Application Details:

Special Instructions to Applicants:
CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.
References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Conditions of Employment:
• Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)
• Valid Driver’s License

Search Contact:

Nathan.tucker@colostate.edu

EEO:

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Background Check Policy Statement:

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers, and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

Applicant Documents:

Required Documents:
• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of Professional References
• Unofficial Transcripts

Optional Documents:
• Official Transcripts
• Other