ACE: Fish Hatchery and Field Scientist Quinault National Fish Hatchery AmeriCorps Eligible

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nationwide Non-Profit Conservation Corps based in Flagstaff, AZ and Salt Lake City, Utah in partnership with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's Quinault National Fish Hatchery (WA State) is seeking one Fisheries Intern to dedicate 6.5 months to supporting fish hatchery operations and providing supplemental field science and public outreach support. The fisheries supplementation support at this hatchery includes spawning, egg incubation care, fish rearing, water quality monitoring, fish disease monitoring and other related duties. There will also be opportunities to provide supplemental assistance for field, lab and hatchery evaluation project for experience diversification and career exposure. This opportunity is intended for enthusiastic young professionals with a deep interest in advancing their career goals in fisheries conservation.

Start Date: Tentatively mid-June, 2021

End Date: 6.5 months (26 weeks) from official start date.

**26-week commitment required**

Location: Quinault National Fish Hatchery in Humptulips, WA. On-site housing is available.

Project Partner Website: For more information about Quinault National Fish Hatchery, please visit:

https://www.fws.gov/Quinaultnfh/Index.cfm

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org

Compensation: Selected candidate will receive a living allowance of $400/week, distributed bi-weekly.

Public Land Corps (PLC) Non-competitive Hiring Authority: Members serving on this project may be eligible to receive a Department of the Interior (DOI) PLC non-competitive hiring authority certificate upon completion of their term of service. Eligible members must meet standard requirements of completing at least 640 hours (16 weeks at 40 hours/week) and utilize their certificate when applying for qualifying federal positions within 2 years of receipt and before the age of 31. More information can be provided upon request.

AmeriCorps: This position may be eligible for a 900-hour AmeriCorps Education Award ($3,097.50) upon successful completion of internship service hours.

Position Description:

MAJOR DUTIES

Safety:

• The work involves regular and recurring moderate risks or discomforts which require special safety precautions. This includes the inherent risk of working around water and watercraft, as well as the risks associated with the operation of electrofishing units. An array of mandatory trainings will be provided upon initiation of the position.
• This position will require, on a regular and recurring basis, working outdoors, in other such environments with extreme temperatures, and/or exposure to adverse weather conditions.
• This position will require an understanding of the communication plan, and a basic level of comfort using both the radio and in Reach devices.
• Employees are required to use protective clothing or gear such as hard hats, masks, gowns, earplugs, coats, boots, goggles, gloves, or shields to moderate risks, or to follow procedures for minimizing risk.
• Employees should be proficient in operating a 4-wheel drive vehicle on rugged roads and able to navigate using topo maps, compass and GPS. Applicants should be willing and able to camp in remote locations, and to work independently.
• COVID-19: Employees will follow USFWS and Quinault Indian Nation COVID-19 prevention protocol, which includes social distancing, face protection, and sterilizations of workspace and equipment. Periodic testing may be required.

Communication:

• Relay daily mission, technical skills and safety concerns to interns and other crewmembers as assigned.
• Personal contacts are with employees in the agency and immediate organizations. In some work situations, personal contacts may be with the public, contractor personnel, or special users, e.g., special interest groups.
• Contacts are for the purpose of obtaining, clarifying, or exchanging information and receiving instructions regarding work assignments.

Physical Demands:

• The work requires some physical exertion, such as regular and recurring running, walking, or bending, walking or climbing ladders or scaffolds to observe, collect, or record research data.
• In many situations, the duration of the activity (such as most of a workday) contributes to the arduous nature of the job.
• The selected intern must be fit enough to hike in mountainous and swampy terrain over long distances in various weather while carrying equipment (40lb+) and should expect to hike and/or wade 10 miles or more per day in mountain streams.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE

In support of research, conservation, production, and management of fishes, or fishery resource:

• Collects and analyzes data from samples, conducts tests and assists in the identification of any problems.
• Compiles and summarizes data from survey, biological evaluations, and pilot tests.
• Runs routine computer programs and checks resulting data for inconsistencies.
• Provides results to professional personnel for refinement, adjustment, and analysis and may assist in the preparation of reports.
• Experience in public engagement and speaking. Particularly explaining scientific information to non-scientists.
• Experience providing hands-on instruction to others.

Potential responsibilities:

• Hatchery Duties: Fish feeding, raceway (concrete tanks) cleanings, water quality testing, fish health sampling, fish per pound measurements, fish transfers, fish spawning, egg develop monitoring/care, and biosampling (fish ID, sex determinations, lengths measurements, and scale, genetics, and tag collection).
• Field biological sampling, including minnow traps, electrofishing, seins, gill nets, and screw trapping.
• Fish identification and data collection (length, weight, scale samples, tag scans, etc)
• Abiotic data collection such as substrate sampling and water salinity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen and temperature.
• Keeps records of all data and develops these into statistical reports.
• Laboratory processing and data collection, including coded wire tag retrieval from hatchery salmon samples, fish stomach sample identification and sediment sample analysis.
• Schedules, services, calibrate repairs, and installs sampling instrumentation.
• Public event preparation and implementation.
• Supplemental community outreach activities may apply.
• AmeriCorps positions require a service projects, which can include supporting local habitat restoration efforts and/or community outreach.

DESIRED KNOWLEDGE

Technical Methods:

• The position requires knowledge of the technical methods and procedures for a work area to employ them in carrying out (alone, as crew lead, or as a fully functioning crew member) a variety of technical duties common to fisheries.
• Also required is the knowledge to operate complex equipment systems such as those with numerous components or parts which must be calibrated and synchronized to achieve desired results.
• The work involves execution of specific rules, regulations, or procedures, such as those found in common technical manuals, laboratory handbooks, and administrative manuals.

Biological Sciences:

• The duties require a knowledge of the basic principles of a biological science to assess readings and measurements taken, tests executed, observations made, work completed, samples collected, etc.
• The employee will be required to understand and relate the significance of the results to the higher objectives to which the activity is related.

Data Analysis:

• The technician must assess the worth of the data by considering its applicability to the higher objective, by assessing and reporting on the characteristics and quality of the source of the data, or by otherwise creatively interpreting the data produced.
• Work products affect the accuracy, reliability, or acceptability of further procedures, processes or services, or the quality of day-to-day operations of a significant program in land management.

Communications:

• The technician must demonstrate proficient communication skills in written form. Specifically for the purpose informal science communication. Creative/story-telling writing skills are ideal.
• The technician must demonstrate formal and informal public speaking skills. This includes: speaking to a diverse age range; a diversity of group sizes; and in various settings.
• The technician must be a competent instructor once trained in the subject matter.

QUALIFICATIONS: Must have completed at least sophomore year of college with a relevant science major (biology, ecology, fisheries science, etc.). Applicants must have an interest in Fisheries, natural resource management or other related disciplines appropriate to the position. Resumes must contain enough information to show that the applicant meets the experience as defined in the announcement. We are looking for determined, strong and developing natural resource managers who are looking for experience working with the Fish and Wildlife Service in an internship.

Required :

• U.S. Citizen or permanent resident
• Must be between the ages of 18-30
• Must have a valid driver's license, provide documentation of a clean driving record, and have a personal vehicle (required). Must be 21 + to drive Agency vehicles.
• Must be able to pass a driver's test, read traffic signs and fill out trip tickets when driving government vehicles
• Ability and willingness to undergo a Federal criminal background check
• Relevant education, appropriate experience, or a combination of both
  • At least two years of college course work.
• Effective communication skills with resource specialists, colleagues, and the public
• Able and willing to work alone and in a group
• Able and willing to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and capable of hiking moderate distances in somewhat rough terrain during inclement weather conditions.
• Drug users should not consider applying, as ACE reserves the right to require drug testing.

**Position may change or close at any time**

Please note: Marijuana and other controlled substances are not allowed at any time during the performance of duties or while on federal property, regardless of State law or qualified medical marijuana card status.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, thoughtful cover letter, and contact for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/

NOTE: Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC USFWS Recruitment and Member Manager, Dave Hecker, 801.386.1629, or dhecker@usaconservation.org.

EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.