LTE Research Monitoring Fisheries Technician (La Crosse)

The State of Wisconsin is hiring an LTE Fisheries Technician in La Crosse, WI, to assist with biological field sampling on the Mississippi River, focusing on fisheries. Responsibilities include collecting fish samples, preparing equipment, and maintaining field gear. This Limited Term Employment position offers $21.55 per hour and aims to provide experience with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
The State of Wisconsin is hiring an LTE Fisheries Technician in La Crosse, WI, to assist with biological field sampling on the Mississippi River, focusing on fisheries. Responsibilities include collecting fish samples, preparing sampling equipment, and maintaining field gear. This Limited Term Employment position offers $21.55 per hour and is aimed at gaining experience with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
Introduction

We are dedicated to working with Wisconsinites while preserving and enhancing the natural resources of Wisconsin. In partnership with individuals and organizations; DNR staff manage fish, wildlife, forests, parks, air and water resources while promoting a healthy, sustainable environment and a full range of outdoor opportunities.

The Wisconsin DNR is hiring an LTE (Limited Term Employee) LTRM Fisheries Technician at the Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, in La Crosse, WI.

This recruitment may be used to fill future similar vacancies.

To see all opportunities currently available at DNR, follow this link: DNR (wisc.jobs).

Position Summary

This position will be working with the WDNR Long Term Resource Monitoring (LTRM) field station in La Crosse, WI. The position assists with standardized biological field sampling on the Mississippi River primarily in Pool 8 near La Crosse, WI with a special focus on fisheries, and will prepare field equipment to be ready for summer sampling. This position may occasionally extend to other areas of the Upper Mississippi River.

40%. A. Field Work

A1. Collect and process fish samples according to established LTRM protocols including electrofishing, netting, identification and measurement of large-river species, data recording and processing.

A2. Assist with invertebrate collection efforts in the field, including active sampling with ponars and deployment of passive samplers (Hester Dendys and/or rock bags)

A2. Prepare and maintain fish sampling gear, including nets, boats, trucks and other equipment as assigned. Clean, disinfect, and repair nets, boats, and other gear as necessary.

A3. Assist collection of water quality, vegetation, and macroinvertebrate samples as needed

40%. B. Field Work Preparation

B1. Prepare fisheries sampling gear for the field season, with a special focus on net preparation and repair, as well as ordering supplies and maintaining existing equipment for net deployment, electrofishing, and trawling

B2. Assist LTRM staff with maintenance and repair of other field equipment, including aquatic vegetation sampling equipment and water quality sampling equipment/sensors

B3. Prepare vehicles for field season when needed

20%. C. Other Organizational Duties

C1. Assist water quality and vegetation components including equipment maintenance and sample processing.

C2. Assist with data analysis, including statistical assessment and hypothesis testing to aid in management decisions or scientific exploration of environmental data

C3. Adhere to all general and position-related safety requirements. Complete required department safety and other training.

C4. Complete administrative requirements such as time reporting, etc.

C5. Participate in all Team and required Department meetings.

C6. Other duties as assigned.

Salary Information

This position pays $21.55 per hour and is in pay schedule and range 06-12. Compensation will be set in accordance with the State Compensation Plan.

Job Details

This is a Limited Term Employment (LTE) position and will not automatically lead to permanent state employment or be entitled to the same benefits as permanent employees.

More about LTE positions:

1) Offer a great opportunity to gain experience and learn about careers at the WI Department of Natural Resources.

2) Provide opportunities for individuals to enhance their resumes with skills learned on the job.

3) May accommodate flexibility for part-time or full-time work hours and seasonal schedules. Work schedules are dependent on business needs.

4) Allow individuals to hold multiple LTE appointments concurrently. If both LTE positions are at the same agency, the positions must be bona fide different positions. Each individual LTE position allows for maximum of 1039 hours in a twelve-month period.

Special Requirements:

1) Residency: To be considered for this position, you must be a resident of the State of Wisconsin.

A Wisconsin resident is a person who:

a. Has established a residence, as defined in s. 6.10(1), in this state not less than 10 days earlier;

b. Has resided in this state for not less than a total of one year out of the immediately preceding 5 years;

c. Is eligible to register to vote in this state; or

d. Is the spouse of a person meeting the requirements of par. (a), (b), or (c).” s.230.03(12), Wis. Stats.

2) Background Checks: The Department of Natural Resources conducts criminal background checks on final applicants prior to a job offer. Please note that a criminal charge or conviction on your record will not necessarily disqualify you from state employment. In compliance with the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act, the DNR does not discriminate on the basis of arrest or conviction record.

3) Eligible to work in U.S.: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire. The Department of Natural Resources does not sponsor work visas at the time of hire or anytime during employment. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required Employment Eligibility I-9 form upon hire.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The DNR is an equal opportunity employer that promotes and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability.

Qualifications

In addition to the required qualifications below, the selected candidate must be eligible to drive a state vehicle and meet the following criteria:
• Have a valid driver’s license
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have a minimum of two years licensed driving experience
• Have not had three (3) or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents in the past two (2) years
• Have no OWI/DUI violations within the past year

Required Qualifications
• Knowledge of various fisheries sampling techniques in rivers, wetlands, or lakes
• Knowledge of fisheries, aquatic ecology and/or limnological principles
• Basic knowledge of freshwater fish identification
• Knowledge of boat operation, motors, and backing trailers

How To Apply

Click the “Apply for Job” button and follow the directions. You will be able to save your application as many times as needed and make edits up until the point you submit your application. Once you submit your application, you will not be able to make any updates to the application or any materials submitted.

Please note that the Wiscjobs system will time you out after 30 minutes of activity, so be sure to save your work often to avoid having to re-start the application process.

For any position-related questions, please feel free to contact patrick.kelly@wisconsin.gov

For technical questions and troubleshooting related to the Wisc.Jobs site, please visit Commonly Asked Questions.

Your resume and letter of qualifications are very important parts of your application and are used during our evaluation process to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job. For instructions on developing your resume and letter of qualifications and what should be included in these materials, click here.

Deadline to Apply

Applications must be received by 11:59pm, Central Time, on March 25th, 2025 in order to be considered.