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Fisheries Biological Support Members, Puget Sound/Olympic Peninsula Fish and Aquatic Conservation Complex

Deadline:
Employer:
American Conservation Experience
Job Field:
Fisheries
Job Type:
Seasonal, Temporary, Internship
Location:
Washington
Location Detail:
Lacey
Job Description:

Fisheries Biological Support Members, Puget Sound/Olympic Peninsula Fish and Aquatic Conservation Complex

 

Summary

 

American Conservation Experience (ACE), a non-profit conservation corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking TWO Fisheries Biological Support Members to contribute to fishery resource monitoring projects alongside Puget Sound/Olympic Peninsula Fish and Aquatic Conservation Complex Staff.

 

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

 

Start Date: May 15, 2023 (likely)

Estimated End Date: November 25, 2023

**28-week commitment required, potential flexibility for start date within month of May

 

Location Details/Description: Puget Sound/Olympic Peninsula Complex, Lacey, WA

 

For more information about Puget Sound/Olympic Peninsula Fish and Aquatic Conservation Complex, please visit the website for any of the four complex facilities:

 

For more information on the Western Washington Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, please visit: https://www.fws.gov/office/western-washington-fish-and-wildlife-conservation

 

For more information about Makah National Fish Hatchery, please visit:

https://www.fws.gov/makahnfh/Index.cfm

 

For more information about Quilcene National Fish Hatchery, please visit:

https://www.fws.gov/fish-hatchery/quilcene

 

For more information on the Quinault National Fish Hatchery, please visit:

https://www.fws.gov/Quinaultnfh/Index.cfm

 

Position Overview: The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. This position will help FWS realize the mission at Puget Sound/Olympic Peninsula Fish and Aquatic Conservation Complex. The fisheries monitoring includes providing field, lab, and hatchery support for a diversity of projects. Field sampling and hatchery evaluation efforts (bio sampling and sample processing) will be primary roles. While each member will primarily assist a specific biologist, opportunities to support other projects will be permitted when the schedule allows to maximize experience diversification. This opportunity is intended for enthusiastic young professionals with a deep interest in advancing their career goals in fisheries management. Overnight travel may be required. Overnight lodging and meals during travel will be covered through a travel stipend.

 

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

 

The member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff in the following tasks:

 

Field biological sampling, including minnow traps, electrofishing, seines, gill nets, and screw trapping.

Fish identification and data collection (length, weight, scale samples, tag scans, etc.).

Abiotic data collection such as substrate sampling, water salinity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and temperature.

Hatchery fish spawning, fish transfers, and bio-sampling.

Keeping records of all data.

Laboratory processing and data collection, including coded wire tag extractions from hatchery salmon samples, fish stomach sample identification, and sediment sample analysis.

Supporting upkeep of sampling instrumentation used for core position functions.

Relay daily mission, technical skills and safety concerns to other crew members as assigned.

Personal contacts are with employees in the agency and immediate organizations. In some situations, personal contacts may be with the public, contractor personnel, or special users, e.g., special interest groups.

Contacts are for the purpose of obtaining, clarifying, or exchanging information, and receiving instructions regarding service assignments.

 

Schedule: Duties are tentatively carried out between 8:00am and 4:30pm Pacific, Monday-Friday, 5 days/week (5/8s) but a 4/10-hour days per week is not uncommon. Work hours will likely vary due to a dynamic schedule that depends on project, site location, and season. Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 80 hours. A flexible work schedule will be required, which could involve work performed outside of normal work hours including early field work departures (6:00am) and/or late returns (6:00pm) depending on the season and field project. Time off may be granted, and requests should be directed to ACE and the FWS for approval.

 

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

 

Physical Demands: This position requires physical exertion in the form of hiking in mountainous and swampy terrain over long distances in various weather while carrying equipment and should expect to hike and/or wade 10 miles or more per day in mountain streams. Other demands include stooping, lifting, reaching, talking, hearing, regular and recurring running, walking, or bending, climbing ladders or scaffolds to observe, collect, or record research data. In many situations, the duration of the activity (such as most of a workday) contributes to the arduous nature of the job.

Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment and may involve fine and precise procedures, delicate adjustments, or exact measurements.

Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral, and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.

Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 40 lbs., ability to move up to 40 lbs.

Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently, working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. When indoors, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.

Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as hand and power tools. Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.

Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

 

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE members may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, wading in deep/swift water, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members, or resources. This position includes the inherent risk of working around water and watercraft, as well as the risks associated with the operation of electrofishing units. An array of mandatory training will be provided upon initiation of the position.

 

 

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the FWS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the FWS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the FWS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to FWS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required. The service involves regular and recurring moderate risks or discomforts which require special safety precautions. This position will require an understanding of the communication plan, and a basic level of comfort using both cellular and in Reach devices. Members are required to use protective clothing or gear such as hard hats, masks, gowns, earplugs, coats, boots, goggles, gloves, or shields to moderate risks, or to follow procedures for minimizing risk.

Qualifications:

Qualifications:

 

Required:

Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts.

Willing and able to represent ACE and the FWS in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.

Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.

A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).

Willing to undergo and must pass the required three-part criminal history check.

Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term.

ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations, and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.

Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement or as defined by AmeriCorps.

To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website here.

 

Preferred:

Competitive applicants for this position can hold a Bachelor's of Arts or Bachelor’s of Science degree in fisheries biology, wildlife biology, botany, natural resource management, or other related discipline appropriate to this position. Exceptions may be made for those who have completed their Junior year.

 

Technical Methods:

Knowledge of the technical methods and procedures for a work area to employ them in carrying out (alone, as crew lead, or as a fully functioning crewmember) a variety of technical duties common to fisheries.

Knowledge to operate complex equipment systems such as those with numerous components or parts which must be calibrated and synchronized to achieve desired results.

Ability and willingness to execute specific rules, regulations, or procedures, such as those found in common technical manuals, laboratory handbooks, and administrative manuals.

 

Biological Sciences:

Knowledge of the basic principles of a biological science to assess readings and measurements taken, tests executed, observations made, service completed, samples collected, etc.

Ability and willingness to understand and relate the significance of the results to the higher objectives to which the activity is related.

 

Data Analysis:

Deep interest in assessing the worth of the data by considering its applicability to the higher objective, by assessing and reporting on the characteristics and quality of the source of the data, or by otherwise creatively interpreting the data produced.

Awareness of work products affecting the accuracy, reliability, or acceptability of further procedures, processes or services, or the quality of day-to-day operations of a significant program in land management.

 

Equipment:

Proficient in operating a 4-wheel drive vehicle on rugged roads and able to navigate using topo maps, compass, and GPS.

Salary:
$475/week
Benefits:

Position Benefits

 

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $475/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

 

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for a 900-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2022/23 grant year program, valued up to $3,247.50 upon successful completion of a complete service term and 900 hrs.

 

Loan Forbearance: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.

 

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority (PLC): Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility or view general information online here.

 

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or FWS.

 

Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $1000 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

 

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support.

 

How to Apply:

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/. Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position, please feel free to contact ACE EPIC FWS Member Manager Nich Jackosky at njackosky@usaconservation.org or 928-699-6041.

 

EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

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