Fisheries Technician 1: Cowlitz River Spawning Ground Surveyor

About the role

The successful candidate will join the Tacoma Power Natural Resources Services and Delivery team, supporting project managers to meet various license requirements. Work primarily takes place at the Cowlitz River Hydroelectric Project, with occasional travel to the Cushman Hydroelectric Project and Nisqually River Project Facilities (Adler Dam and LaGrande Dam). The position involves strenuous fieldwork—such as hiking in uneven terrain, navigating swift water, and driving to field locations—in poor weather conditions. This role offers ideal experience for those pursuing a career in aquatic and fisheries sciences, set in a beautiful location on one of Washington State’s most popular river destinations.

Responsibilities

• Participate in anadromous fish escapement surveys (e.g., red, trap/weir, carcass, snorkel).
• Collect and organize biological and habitat samples and collections (e.g., scales, otoliths, other tissues).
• Assist with fish passage operations (e.g., juvenile and adult salmonid passage facilities).
• Collect, enter, document, organize, and perform quality assurance for spawning ground surveys, fish passage, and other monitoring and evaluation activities.
• Collect, enter, document, organize, and perform quality assurance of data sets related to adult and juvenile fish handling, identification, marking, and transport.

Qualifications

• Preference given to local candidates and those with a B.S. in Fisheries Science or a related major.
• At the lower end of the range: six months of General Experience* or one year of education above high school with at least six semester hours in scientific or technical courses. An equivalent combination of experience and education is also qualifying.
• At the upper end of the range: one year of Specialized Experience** or a 4-year bachelor’s degree with a major or at least 24 semester hours in scientific or technical courses. An equivalent combination of experience and education is also qualifying.
• A high school diploma is required.

*General Experience: Work demonstrating the ability to perform the duties of the position or experience providing familiarity with biological sciences or related processes.

**Specialized Experience: Experience equipping the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position, typically in or related to the work being filled.