Fisheries Technician I-III ; ALASKA

Agency

Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation

Location

Offgrid Salmon Hatchery

Job Category

Temporary/Seasonal Positions

Salary

$14-17/hr DOE

Last Date to Apply

04/30/2023

Website

https://secure.entertimeonline.com/ta/CBIZ20444.careers?CareersSearch

Description

Prince William Sound Aquaculture Corporation (PWSAC) is a private, non-profit hatchery association founded in 1974 by a local commercial fishermen’s organization to optimize Alaska’s wild salmon resources. PWSAC produces hatchery-born, ocean-raised wild salmon for the commercial, sport, personal use, and subsistence fisheries in the Prince William Sound and Copper River regions.

Jumpstart your fisheries career and gain hands-on experience working with Pacific Salmon at large scale hatcheries in Alaska PROJECTS AVAILABLE FOR EGGTAKE WITH START DATES IN APRIL, MAY, JUNE, AND AUGUST
The Fisheries Technician is a temporary position located at isolated (remote) off-grid hatcheries in the Prince William Sound of Alaska and a semi-remote facility near Paxon, Alaska. PWSAC produces chum, sockeye, pink, and coho salmon. PWSAC is looking for enthusiastic individuals that will unite with PWSAC's mission of sustainable fisheries contributing to the culture and economy of the region.

EMPLOYER PROVIDED PERKS

Free lodging and meals at hatchery sites

Commercial grade rain jacket and bibs

Optional enrollment in 403(b) retirement plan

$500 Travel Reimbursement

TO APPLY:
Submit an application at PWSAC Career Site

View Jobs

Outmigration/Rearing Project Start Dates:
Armin F Koernig Hatchery:
Located on Evans Island at the south-western entrance of the Prince William Sound. This facility will be rearing pink and chum salmon for ocean release as smolt. Responsible for pink salmon eggtake operations. Cannery Creek Hatchery:
Located in Unakwik Inlet at the northern entrance of the Prince William Sound. This facility will be rearing pink salmon for ocean release as smolt. Responsible for pink salmon eggtake operations. Gulkana Hatchery:
Located near Paxson, south of Fairbanks. This facility will be hatching sockeye salmon for fry release to nearby lakes. Responsible for sockeye salmon eggtake operations. Main Bay Hatchery:
Located at Main Bay in the mid-west section of Prince William Sound, south of Whittier. This facility will be rearing sockeye salmon for ocean release as smolt. Responsible for sockeye salmon eggtake operations. Wally Noerenberg Hatchery:
Located on Esther Island in the Prince William Sound, east of Whittier. This facility will be rearing pink, chum, and coho salmon for ocean release as smolt. Responsible for chum, pink, and coho salmon eggtake operations.
Basic Function: Fish Technicians function as part of the hatchery operations team in the cultivating and rearing of fish. Under the direct supervision of a fish culturist or designated fish technician, performs routine entry-level and up to semi-skilled level work, participating in various phases of hatchery operations.

Essential Functions: Work performed at any hatchery or remote location as needed. Must be able to move about freely; work outdoors in all weather conditions; ability to lift and carry 50 pounds for an extended period of time; ability to climb stairs and ladders; ability to climb aboard and about vessels and small aircraft; work in and around water – on docks and floats, raceways, and ponds; use telephones and computers unimpaired. Must be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language. Must be able to hear and see to receive verbal and written instructions.

Description of duties and tasks:

Eggtake: Enumerating, caring, killing, spawning and disposing of carcasses; preparing, cleaning and maintaining incubators; monitoring and maintaining water quality; loading, enumerating, picking and caring for egg/alevin;

Outmigration/rearing: Enumerating and setting up outmigration of fry; feeding, sampling, raceway/net cleaning, health monitoring, releasing fry, incubation cleaning and rebuilding

Harvest: Preparing, repairing and maintaining harvest equipment; loading, transporting, caring for and unloading harvest pens; collecting and recording fish harvest management data.

Perform other general duties associated with fish culture operations.

Site cleanup, general maintenance and repairs, groundskeeping, and snow removal.

Operates skiffs and small boats, live trap nets, ATVs, pickups, bobcats, loaders, power tools, firearms or other equipment.

Takes samples from commercial fisheries catches for data on species, size, age, and sex composition; collects scales, otoliths, ovaries or other biological specimens, scale mounting.

Use computers and computer software to conduct routine data entry or output.

Job Classifications:
FISH TECH I

Hired for general labor in hatchery operations

Entry-level position, or laborer, for short-term work

Little or no prior hatchery experience

Generally works under close supervision

FISH TECH II

Hired for general hatchery operations and labor with increased responsibility

Greater than 6 months in-season experience with hatchery operations (preferably PWSAC) OR Associates/Bachelors in a relevant field of study

Fundamental knowledge of fish culture procedures

Ability to work with little supervision

Demonstrated minor leadership qualities

Previously rated satisfactory or above in performance evaluations

FISH TECH III

May act as a lead in hatchery operations and labor tasks with increased responsibility

Can work effectively without supervision

Demonstrated leadership qualities

Previously rated satisfactory or above in performance evaluations

Has substantial, greater than 12 months, aquaculture/fisheries experience in related areas (preferably with PWSAC)

Demonstrates a strong interest in aquaculture as a career goal

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Ability to perform physically demanding work in inclement weather and other uncomfortable environmental conditions.

Ability to follow detailed verbal and written instructions and visual cues.

Ability to learn the safe operation of small boats, power tools, firearms, and other hatchery equipment.

Ability to collect data, maintain simple, accurate records, perform simple arithmetic computations and routine data entry.

Ability to work cooperatively in a group.

Ability to work carefully and safely around wild animals.

Positions Supervised: None

Disclaimer: Duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list, and additional tasks may be assigned from time to time. The scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands.

PWSAC is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications:

High school graduation or equivalent

Must have a current driver’s license

Preferred qualifications:

Hatchery or animal husbandry experience

Associates or Bachelors in Aquaculture, Fisheries, Wildlife, or relevant field

TO APPLY:
Submit an application at PWSAC Career Portal View Jobs

Contact Person

Amber Phillips

Contact Phone

907-424-7511

Contact eMail

[email protected]