Fisheries Technician
: Job Details :

Job Posting Title

Fisheries Technician

Agency

320 DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

Supervisory Organization

Wildlife Conservation

Job Posting End Date (Continuous if Blank)

November 25, 2024

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.

Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank)

Full/Part-Time

Full time

Job Type

Regular

Compensation

$46,606.95 Plus State Benefit Allowance

Job Description

Under the supervision of a Fisheries Biologist or Senior Fisheries Biologist, the Fisheries Technician supplies technical assistance in accurately gathering, recording, programming and statistically analyzing data pertaining to fisheries research, culture and/or management. Operate, maintain, repair, and construct various types of sampling data analysis equipment and fish culture equipment. Below is a short summary of each type of Technician position.

POSITION: Regional Technician

LOCATION: Higgins Office, 6733 SW Hwy 1, Wilburton, OK 74578

Regional Technician - Assist the biologist by proactively managing aquatic resources within one of 7 fisheries management regions by conducting fisheries surveys, monitoring regional lakes and reservoirs, and developing and providing annual updates to management plans. Assists with annual fish stocking recommendations and assists hatchery personnel with fish stockings.??Maintains equipment, buildings, roadways, campsites, restrooms, signs, fences, dams, and other infrastructure. Promotes public use and awareness of regional resources via news releases, interviews, presentations, and social media as assigned.?Requires reasonable expertise in using various machinery, tools, and equipment including boats, fisheries sampling equipment, fish hauling equipment, water quality sampling equipment, laboratory equipment, hand and power tools, farm equipment, and personal computers.

Regional Technician, Aquarium Maintenance - In addition to the job duties of regional technician, maintain aquariums and feed fish at ODWC Central Office; collect water quality data and maintain proper water chemistry; maintain and replace filtration equipment; feed fish and monitor fish health; clean and maintain aquariums. This position may be required to be on call during weekends if an equipment malfunction occurs.

Aquatic Nuisance Species Program and Fish Kill Program Technician - Assists the biologist responsible for ANS/Fish Kill coordination, the ANS technician will conduct research, management, inspections, and education activities specific to stopping the spread and eradication of aquatic nuisance species in Oklahoma as well as investigating fish kills.

Invasive Carp Research Technician - Assists the biologist responsible for ANS/Fish Kill coordination, monitoring, management, and removal primarily in the Arkansas River and the Grand Lake O' the Cherokees systems. Tasks may include but are not limited to collecting eDNA samples, setting gill nets, electrofishing, processing specimens, and assisting with grant requirements. This position is funded on soft money and will?end September 30, 2026?(3-year term) if additional funding is not awarded.

Research Technician - Assists the biologist with scientific research through the collection, entry, and analysis of data. Uses the scientific method as it relates to research and shows a basic understanding of the common aspects of fisheries science (e.g., population dynamics such as age/growth, mortality, abundance measurements, and size distribution). Develop new skills as needed for research (e.g., tagging, sex ID, processing aging structures, diet ID). Prior research experience, experience with the dissemination of research through the peer review process and/or technical presentations, and familiarity with data analysis programs (e.g., R or Python) is preferred.

Paddlefish/Native Fishes Technician - Assists the biologists in conducting tasks related to the research, monitoring, and management of Oklahoma's paddlefish and native nongame fish populations. Specific duties include a diversity of fisheries methodologies targeting all life stages for stock assessment, collecting biological data from angler-caught fish and implementing human dimensions surveys, assisting with brood stock collection and fish stocking, fisheries data entry, quality control, and statistical analyses, maintaining long-term databases, producing reports and scientific papers, and assisting with related collaborative research activities throughout the state.

Streams Technician - Assists the biologist with ecologically driven fisheries management and research. Annual duties include stream sport fish sampling and fish community monitoring surveys using standardized fish sampling approaches including a variety of netting and electrofishing gears. Other responsibilities include frequent communication with landowners regarding trespass permission, technical assistance, lab work consisting of otolith removal and processing, using dichotomous keys to identify voucher specimens, and assisting with data entry and quality control. Applicants must have knowledge of fisheries management principles, gear maintenance, fabrication, and familiarity with boats and outboard motors. Weekly overnight travel is sometimes required depending on the sampling season and location.

Trout Technician - Assist biologist with Oklahoma's two year-round trout fisheries in the Lower Illinois River and Lower Mountain Fork River, including helping develop and update stocking schedules and coordinating contracts with the Hatchery Supervisor. Assist with hauling and stocking of trout from Norfork and Greers Ferry Federal fish hatcheries. Also maintains infrastructure such as equipment, buildings, roadways, campsites, restrooms, signs, and fences.

Blue River Technician - Assist the biologist with maintenance of roadways, campsites,?public restrooms, fishing access, fencing, and fire breaks.? Assists with annual fish stocking recommendations and assists hatchery personnel with fish stockings. Participates in prescribed burns and planting food plots.?Operate basic farm machinery including tractors, skid steers, mowers, chain saws, weed-eaters, power tools, and welders.?Regularly interacts with constituents and works collaboratively with Wildlife and Law Enforcement Divisions on joint tasks.?? Promotes public use and awareness of regional resources via news releases, interviews, presentations, and social media as assigned.

JOB DUTIES MAY INCLUDE:

Conduct fish population surveys for research or management purposes using various sampling gear.

Perform hatchery maintenance work which includes equipment maintenance and minor repair, maintenance of grounds, pond repair, painting, minor road repair, the operation of simple farm machinery.

Perform general fish culture duties which include feeding fish, fertilizing ponds, pond preparation and seeding, harvesting and moving fish.

Use routine laboratory procedures to analyze field and hatchery collections.

Apply fish culture techniques in transporting and stocking fish.

Maintain all field, laboratory, and office equipment in good operating condition.

Maintain and constructs various types of equipment.

Assist supervisor in analysis and interpretation of data.

Assist in planning projects, budgets, schedules, etc. Prepare weekly, monthly, or annual reports as required.

Disseminate technical information on a variety of topics through newspapers, radio, television, speaking engagements, instructional clinics, etc. as assigned.

Requires reasonable expertise in using various machinery, tools, and equipment including fisheries sampling equipment, fish hauling equipment, water quality sampling equipment, laboratory equipment, hand and power tools, farm equipment and personal computers.

May be required to perform additional duties as assigned.

Must have the ability to:

* Operate boats, motor vehicles, lawn mowers, tractors, and ATVs with various attachments.

* Operate and use firearms, cutting torch, and welding equipment.

* Lift and carry a minimum of 50 pounds for a distance of 100 yards.

* Ability to push / pull a minimum of 50 pounds to hook up trailers, load boats, and various other equipment.

* Walk and jog over rough terrain for extended periods of time.

* Must be able to swim.

* Work alone in remote areas.

* Endure various extremes of outdoor weather conditions.

* Work extended hours, weekends, and stay overnight out of town.

* Handle wild animals in live and dead condition, including field dressing wild game.

* Establish and maintain effective working relationships, work independently, and be professional and courteous with the public and other agencies.

* Communicate clearly and effectively in public speaking situations and be able to express oneself clearly and concisely in writing.

* Operate and use small and handheld equipment and supplies.

* Use personal computer and various office equipment.

* Operate and use field traps, survey gear, and lab equipment.

* Conduct day / night audio and visual surveys.

Requirements:

Education: Associate degree or a minimum 2 years college to include course work in Aquatic Resource Management or closely related field. Four years' experience in a Fisheries Conservation Technician position may substitute for education requirements.

* You must attach a copy of your transcript to be considered for this position. Applications without an attached transcript will not be considered.*

Experience: One-year related experience is required. A total of five years' experience is required in lieu of education requirement. A completed bachelor's degree in Natural Resource Management with an emphasis in Aquatic Resource Management or related field may substitute for the experience requirement.

Knowledge and Skills: Training or experience in mechanical skills and technical writing is preferred. May be required to obtain a Class B Commercial Driver's License (CDL). Must be skilled in interpersonal relations and maintain good working relationships with fellow employees and the public.

Equal Opportunity Employment

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.

Current active State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions internally through the Workday Jobs Hub.