Fisheries Technician 1: Cowlitz River Crew Member

About the Role

The successful candidates will work alongside Tacoma Power staff at the Cowlitz River Hydroelectric Project in Lewis County. Primary responsibilities include assisting operations at both the Mayfield Dam Juvenile Fish Passage Facility and the Adult Separation Facility located at the Cowlitz Salmon Hatchery.

The Mayfield Dam Juvenile Fish Passage Facility is a juvenile bypass system where salmonids are captured, enumerated, and CWT tagged as they migrate out of the Tilton River basin. In early fall, outmigrant numbers increase significantly, requiring additional personnel to ensure fish are handled, tagged, and processed safely and efficiently.

The Adult Separation Facility supports a trap and haul program in which adult salmonids are enumerated, assessed for species, sex, marks, and tags, and distributed to either broodstock for hatchery needs or transported upstream, around the dams, to spawn naturally.

Candidates must be comfortable working with a fast-paced team in inclement weather, exposed to loud noises, and in a wet environment. Strong data recording skills and knowledge of data management practices are required. Proficiency in juvenile and adult salmonid identification is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Assist with operations at juvenile and adult fish passage facilities, including handling, tagging, and processing salmonids.
• Collect essential trap operations information and ensure accurate data entry.
• Assist with research activities, as data is frequently shared with other organizations.
• Support office needs and maintain clean and organized work areas.
• Make standardized observations such as species identification, length, weight, behavior, growth, survival, reproductive condition, fin clips or tags, and signs of parasites, diseases, or pathogens.
• Conduct recreational/commercial fishing surveys and anadromous fish escapement surveys.
• Monitor the status of facility systems and equipment; fabricate, construct, and maintain systems.
• Gather research data and organize information from fish samples or experimental projects.
• Assist with regular facility inspections, including dewatering equipment, pumps, flumes, gates, tanks, screens, filters, gate wells, and tag interrogation equipment.
• Monitor and maintain water quality levels; record findings and adjustments made.
• Provide input for facility improvements and respond appropriately to emergencies.
• Update databases by entering, checking, and editing biological or habitat data from field forms, electronic data loggers, or desktop computers.
• Maintain and organize databases; write memoranda and short reports for data transfer.
• Produce summaries, corrections, and presentation-quality tables and graphs of data.

Requirements

• Comfort working in inclement weather, loud environments, and wet conditions.
• Strong data recording skills and knowledge of data management practices.
• Ability to work effectively with others and maintain a positive, professional attitude.

Qualifications

• Valid driver’s license.
• Fish species identification skills (preferred but not required).
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to compile and collect neat and accurate data.