Fisheries Technician

Vacancy Announcement #: STOI-26-048
Department: DNR - Anadromous Program
Supervisor: Anadromous Fisheries Biologist II
Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt - Seasonal
Rate of Pay: $19.65 - $20.00
Opening Date: June 9, 2026
Closing Date: June 23, 2026

Position Overview

This position will be responsible for assisting research, monitoring, and evaluation efforts that directly inform anadromous reintroduction in the Spokane Tribe's waters. Duties include implementing adult Chinook Salmon telemetry studies, spawning ground surveys, operating and maintaining a rotary screw trap. The incumbent will be expected to maintain and service research equipment, perform work according to standardized data collection and management protocols, and work effectively unsupervised.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist with data collection and basic data review for salmon reintroduction sampling efforts, including genetic sampling, PIT tag data collection, radio and acoustic telemetry data, fish collection and transport events, spawning surveys, and other research, monitoring, and evaluation work.
• Support research, monitoring, and evaluation activities used to inform fisheries management decisions.
• Assist with routine sampling and monitoring of fish populations, productivity, and habitat conditions in tributaries, large rivers, and reservoirs.
• Assist with the installation, operation, cleaning, and maintenance of rotary screw traps used to monitor juvenile salmonid outmigration.
• Perform routine fish processing duties under supervision, including fish identification, enumeration, measurement, and support for PIT tagging activities.
• Assist with adult Chinook Salmon monitoring activities using acoustic and radio telemetry, including helping prepare equipment, assisting with receiver deployment and retrieval, conducting active tracking under supervision, and recording field observations and detection data.
• Participate in spawning ground and carcass surveys for Chinook Salmon and other anadromous species on foot, by raft, or using other approved survey methods.
• Assist with redd identification, redd counts, carcass observations, biological measurements, and collection of scales, otoliths, genetic samples, or other biological samples following established protocols.
• Assist with the installation, operation, inspection, and maintenance of PIT tag arrays and related field equipment, including antennas, readers, power systems, and data loggers.
• Perform basic equipment checks and report problems to higher-level staff.
• Collect routine biological and field data, including fish length, weight, counts, environmental observations, PIT detection, and other related information, following established field forms, electronic data entry procedures, and program standards.
• Prepare, load, unload, clean, and organize field equipment, vehicles, vessels, sampling gear, telemetry equipment, safety equipment, and supplies needed for daily field operations.
• Maintain equipment, vehicles, vessels, and storage areas in a clean, organized, and functional condition.
• Assist with routine inventory, maintenance logs, service records, and preparation of equipment for short- and long-term storage.
• Assist with identifying equipment and supply needs for field activities and communicate those needs to supervisors.
• Help obtain supplies following established purchasing procedures.
• Work with internal staff and external project partners during fish transport events, spawning surveys, tributary sampling, large-river monitoring, and other assigned fisheries field activities.
• Follow established standard operating procedures, safety protocols, sampling methods, animal-handling guidelines, and program standards.
• Participate in trainings and provide feedback to supervisors on field procedures when appropriate.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

• Follow established protocols and adhere to programmatic standards.
• Able to identify, or ability to learn to identify, fish species of the Pacific Northwest at various life stages.
• Operate vessels, motorized and human powered.
• Comfortable working around and wading in rivers.
• Work independently with limited supervision, at times.
• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Self-directed, organized, and able to work independently with limited supervision.
• Have vehicle or access to transportation.
• Ability to travel and stay overnight for up to five (5) days at a time.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs, wade in swift water, and work in variable weather conditions, day or night, including weekends/holidays as needed.

Minimum Requirements

• Completed high school diploma or GED.
• Must have a valid Washington State Driver's License.
• Good employment history with references.
• Must have computer knowledge and skills for data entry.
• Must be able to travel and stay overnight for up to 5 days at a time.
• Must be able to work holidays, nights, and weekends.
• Must be physically capable of performing job duties, at times in adverse weather conditions and rough terrain/water.
• Ability to work from mid-June through the end of November.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working with fish native to the Pacific Northwest including anadromous fishes.
• Demonstrated experience with hand tools, small engines, computers, and/or similar equipment.

Additional Information

Indian Preference: Indian Preference applies – Indian Preference grants preference to any enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe.

Pre-Employment Requirements: All applicants are subject to a pre-employment drug test.

Orientation Period: All positions with the Spokane Tribe of Indians are subject to a 90-day orientation period.

Application Instructions

Applications must be received in the Human Resource Department no later than 4:30 p.m. on the closing date.

Contact:
HRFRONTDESK
P.O. Box 206
Wellpinit, WA 99040
Phone: 509-458-6527
Email: hrfrontdesk@spokanetribe.com

Apply Online: Contact information above.

Note: The Spokane Tribe reserves the right to hire according to its Indian Preference Policy.