Fisheries Technician

Government of Alberta; Alberta; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking enthusiastic Fisheries Technicians for seasonal roles across Northern Alberta. This exciting opportunity involves participating in a provincial walleye gamete collection program, conducting various field surveys, and ensuring safety protocols are followed. Candidates will enjoy working in diverse environments, including remote camp settings, while contributing to the stewardship of natural resources. Ideal applicants will have a diploma in Natural Sciences and a passion for the outdoors. Join a dedicated team committed to sustainable development and environmental protection, where your efforts will play a vital role in preserving Alberta's rich biodiversity.

Benefits

Wage premium for weekend shifts

Wage premium for evening shifts

11.2% additional wage in lieu of benefits

6% of wage instead of vacation pay

5.2% instead of paid holidays

Qualifications

• Two-year diploma in Natural Sciences required; no experience needed.
• Valid Class 5 driver's license and First Aid Certification required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field surveys and collect data for the walleye gamete collection program.
• Safely operate equipment and maintain field notes for accuracy.

Skills

Data Collection

Field Surveys

Safety Protocols

Natural Sciences Knowledge

Communication Skills

Education

Two-Year Diploma in Natural Sciences

Tools

MS Office (Word, Excel)

Electrofishing Equipment

Boats

Job description

Job Information
Job Title: Fisheries Technician
Job Requisition ID: 66776
Ministry: Environment and Protected Areas (CA09)
Location: Various locations (Athabasca, Cold Lake, Grande Prairie)
Full or Part-Time: Full-Time
Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week
Permanent/Temporary: Temporary: Wage Seasonal Positions
Scope: Open Competition
Closing Date: Open Until Suitable Candidate Found
Classification: Natural Resources 5
Salary: $26.18 to $32.53 hourly

The Government of Alberta is committed to a diverse and inclusive public service that reflects the population we serve to best meet the needs of Albertans. For more information on diversity and inclusion, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion Policy.

We support Albertans in being proud stewards of air, land, water, and biodiversity by leading the work required for the desired environmental outcomes and sustainable development of natural resources.

The Resource Stewardship – Fish and Wildlife Stewardship Branch is currently looking to fill seasonal Fisheries Technician roles in various locations across Northern Alberta.

Key responsibilities for this position will include:

1. Participation in the provincial walleye gamete collection program including walleye trapping, gamete collection, egg fertilization, and transportation to fish hatcheries.
2. Planning daily field data collection activities under supervision and following provided guidelines and standards.
3. Reviewing and understanding data collection and Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) requirements before fieldwork.
4. Conducting field surveys, including electrofishing, index netting, creel surveys, angler effort surveys, fish sampling, and human dimensions studies.
5. Collecting field data safely in accordance with provincial standards and under supervision.
6. Safely operating equipment such as trucks, off-highway vehicles (OHVs) and boats.
7. Preparing samples and conducting lab analyses, such as fish aging and stomach content analysis.
8. Recording field data in notebooks, on paper, or digitally, and transcribing data into the provincial FWMIS database with a focus on accuracy.
9. Keeping detailed field notes, data entry sheets, and photos, with regular reviews from supervisors.
10. Reviewing hazards and controls, contributing to safety plans, and ensuring compliance with safety protocols.
11. Cleaning, organizing, and maintaining field equipment to meet program needs and OH&S requirements.
12. Performing regular maintenance checks, arranging equipment repairs, and ensuring Personal Protective Equipment is maintained.

About Your Work Environment
Successful candidates will be assigned to work out of various offices throughout northern Alberta and may be required to work in the field for extended periods of time with rustic living conditions.

Qualifications
Required:
Natural Resources 5
• A two-year diploma related to Natural Sciences; no experience required.

Additional Requirements:
• Valid Class 5 driver’s licence.
• First Aid Certification

Assets:
• Inland fisheries related work experience, working knowledge of various fish species common to Alberta, including various fish aging techniques.
• Working knowledge of how to collect fisheries data. Sampling techniques include electrofishing (backpack, boat, and float), gill netting and angler interviews.
• Pleasure Craft Operator’s certification and operational boating experience.
• Ability to work in remote camp settings for extended periods of time.
• An understanding of methods for data management and security
• Proficiency in use of computers including MS Office: Word, Excel, stats, and presentation software programs.

Hours of Work:
• 36.25 hours per week.
• Days of the week will be dependent on placement, and staff may be required to work evenings, weekends, and holidays throughout the summer.

Term of Employment:
• 6-month seasonal wage position
• Start date beginning in April or May with an anticipated end date of September or October with possibilities for extension.

Wage Benefits:
• Wage employees receive 11.2% in addition to regular wage earnings in lieu of benefits and vacation leave.
• 5.2 percent of regular wage earnings instead of paid holidays.
• 6 percent of regular wage earnings instead of annual vacation pay.
• Weekend shifts are eligible for a premium of $3.25 per hour.
• Evening shifts are eligible for a premium of $2.75 per hour.

How To Apply:
Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience, and relevant examples of required competencies.

Closing Statement:
This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level.

We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates' qualifications most closely match the advertised requirements. Only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.