Fisheries Technician – Aquatic Restoration

Lower Nicola Indian Band; Canada; Remote; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lower Nicola Indian Band seeks a passionate individual for an environmental technician role focusing on aquatic and fisheries management. The successful candidate will contribute to vital restoration projects within the Nicola River watershed, conducting field assessments, monitoring fish populations, and ensuring efficient data collection, all while working in diverse outdoor environments.

Qualifications

• Preference for candidates with training in aquatic restoration or ecology.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation preferred.
• Experience in fieldwork in remote settings desirable.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field assessments in the Nicola River watershed.
• Monitor and enumerate local fish populations and assist with data collection.
• Help with salmon populations during critical drought conditions.

Skills

Field surveying

Fish habitat assessment

Data collection

Navigation

Note taking

Communication

Education

Post-secondary training in natural resource management

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

Department: Economic Development Department
Reports To: Director of Economic Development
Subject to: Terms and Conditions of the Personnel Policy and Annual approved budgets
Effective Date: Hiring Immediately
Hours: Up to 35 hours per week (likely 2 – 4 hrs overtime during the field season).
Salary: $25-$30 per hour Dependent on knowledge and experience

Summary of Organizational Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will bring their energy, enthusiasm, and interest in aquatic and fisheries related environmental resource planning, monitoring, restoration, and research projects. Specifically, the successful candidate will provide support to the LNIB staff by (1) conducting field assessments of proposed areas for in-stream and riparian restoration work in the Nicola River watershed, (2) monitoring and enumeration of local fish populations, (3) assisting in data collection for future work and research projects, and (4) helping with triage of salmon populations in this critical season of drought by doing river walks and helping improve passage for spawning salmon migrating upstream and salvage of juveniles holding in the system.

Duties and Tasks

• Field surveying (fish habitat, fish populations, culvert assessments, etc.)
• Assist with fish salvage and fish passage remediation work.
• Monitor fish passage during salmon migration, enumeration work.
• Data collection onto field forms, entry, and basic manipulation.
• Conduct fish and fish habitat assessments.
• Other fisheries related tasks as they arise.
• Utilizing online mapping platforms, such as Avenza maps, for access and locating field sites, tracking and point marking.
• Must be able to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Readying used equipment for the next day use (cleaning, re-fitting, recharging batteries, re-supplying of necessary field forms, ribbons, etc.).

Qualifications:

• Post-secondary training/education in natural resource management, aquatic restoration, ecology or related field (Preferred).
• Valid drivers license and reliable transportation (Preferred).
• Resource Inventory Standards Committee Training (RISC) in Archaelogical, CMT Inventory, and stream data collection for Crew Members (Preferred).
• Level I first-aid with Transportation Endorsement (Preferred, but can also be provided).
• SwiftWater Level 2 (Preferred, but can also be provided).
• Crew Leader Electrofishing Certification (Preferred asset).
• Bear Aware: Working in Bear Country Certification (Preferred, but can also be provided).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Continuing studies in fish or aquatic-related fields with relevant experience.
• Previous experience conducting field work in remote settings.
• Knowledge and understanding of fisheries and our local river systems.
• Ability to work safely and be comfortable in and around fast-flowing, deep water systems, and remote areas.
• Ability to navigate using compass.
• Understanding/interest in Nlaka’pamux resource use and cultural practices.
• Computer literate in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook.
• Diligence related to note taking and field sampling duties.
• Physically fit and able to work in adverse field conditions, able to carry 50 lbs. of equipment and provisions.
• Ability to speak or willingness to learn the Nlaka’pamux language.

Working Environment:

• Outdoor work, subject to all weather conditions, steep terrain, and up to 14 hours during field season.
• Early work starts during hot summer days (5 AM).
• Office and computer work.
• Daily travel may be required.
• High paced work environment.
• Must be able to handle wildlife encounters and respond as per training

Apply [e-mail]