Fish Technician IV-YKFP Toppenish

Yakama Nation Legends Casino; Toppenish (WA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Yakima Klickitat Fisheries Project in Toppenish is seeking a Fish Technician IV to oversee data collection operations within a defined fisheries area and support field research on tribal Columbia River fisheries.

You will perform sampling, monitoring, and data quality control, supervise technicians, and collaborate with Biologists to ensure accurate records and adherence to protocols.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Three years of experience as a Fish Technician III or equivalent.
• Must pass pre-employment drug test.
• Must possess a valid Washington State Driver's License with the ability to obtain a Yakama Nation Driving permit.
• Enrolled Yakama Preference, but all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.
• Associates Degree in Fisheries or related field.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the data collection operation within a specific area of fisheries.
• Coordinate field activities including sampling, population estimates, and monitoring.
• Supervise Fish Technician I–III and ensure data quality and protocol compliance.

Job description

Fish Technician IV

Yakima Klickitat Fisheries Project (YKFP)

Department of Natural Resources

Hourly Wage: $21.11/Regular/Full-Time

Location: Toppenish

Announcement #

2026-174

Issue Date

08-19-26

Closing Date

08-25-26

Fish Technician IV oversees the data collection operation within a specific area of fisheries as well as conducting other field activities. The broad categories in which a Fish Technician IV works in fisheries field research projects, monitoring of tribal fisheries of Columbia River predation control.

Examples Of Work Performed

Chandler Juvenile Facility Supervisory Technician-Responsible for oversight of the facility when the Biologist is absent. Directly assists Biologist in fish sampling activities including; species identification and fish mark identification, quality control of data recording and fish handling and corrections and repairs to the facility. Supervise the separator and data technicians in carrying out their daily tasks.

Stream Sampler Supervisory Technician –Responsible for the oversight of all field related research activities.

Tasks include: fish population estimates using backpack and boat electroshocking and snorkeling; gravel sampling, placement of thermographs and their maintenance; red capping; measuring stream flow; beach seining; and installation and monitoring of various types of fish traps.

Harvest Monitor Supervisory Technician-Responsible for the oversight of all tribal harvest and catch monitoring activities in both the Columbia River and its tributaries. Oversee the supervision of other Fish Technician I-IIIs in various harvest monitoring activities. Must be knowledgeable of tribal fishing seasons and regulations, as well as, normal fishing locations and have the ability to deal well with tribal fisherman and gain their trust and respect.

Fish Collection and Distribution Technician-Assist in the collection of lampreys and smelt, as well as, the transport and distribution of salmon carcasses from state and federal hatcheries and may be required to coordinate with hatchery manager I the collection of salmon carcasses.

Fish Planting Technician-Responsible for the planting of salmon and resident trout in the streams, drains, ponds and lakes both on reservation and off reservation, will transport adult salmon to hatchery facilities for broodstock purposes. Requires knowledge in how to drive a hatchery transport truck and must be knowledgeable of fish health needs and concerns during transportation and during release.

Spawner Survey Field Technician-Conduct spawner surveys specifically identifying redds, recording field notes, flagging redds, collecting biological data from fish carcasses or rowing the survey boat.

Stream Sampler Field Technician-Conduct field research that involves a variety of sampling methodologies. Examples of research activities include: fish population estimates using backpack and boat electroshocking and snorkeling, gravel sampling, placement of thermographs and their maintenance, red capping, measuring stream flow, beach seining and installation and monitoring of various type of fish traps.

Harvest Monitor Field Technician-Tasks include the collection of catch and harvest monitoring data, biological sampling of fish, recording of various types of monitoring data.

Predation Control Field Technician-Tasks include: removal of northern squawfish from waters of the Columbia River and its tributaries. This requires angling at the mainstream dams, operation of various traps and nets to capture fish and the collection of biological data from routine biological data associated with predation control field work.

Video Monitoring Technician-Required to record in an accurate manner adult fish passage data that has been recorded onto a video tape by a field remote video system at four fish ladders in the Yakima River.

Adult fish passage data is to be recorded in the areas of 1.Enumeration of total daily salmonid passage by species. Recording of individual fish lengths, and 3. Conditions of the facility and video hardware. Daily activities require an accurate read or playback of the video tapes and correctly record the information onto data entry forms.

Required to adhere to precise sets of protocols concerning the reading of tapes and the data entry.

Knowledge Skills And Abilities

Knowledge and completion of training to further technical fisheries skills and people management skills.

Knowledge of all aspects of the facility, which is essential because of the critical quality control requirements for the Yakama/Klickitat Fisheries Project.

Knowledge of various field activities commonly conducted by the fisheries program and has logged numerous field hours as a Fish Technician I, II or III carrying out these duties.

Knowledge of basic biologic understanding of why various field activities are conducted in a specific manner.

Ability to understand and conduct basic biological analysis routinely done such as determining fish population estimates and construction of length frequency histograms.

Ability to make independent decisions without input from the Fisheries Biologist.

Ability to problem solve and work with minimal supervision.

Ability to supervise Fish Technician I, II and III.

Ability to maintain effective relationships with employees and the general public.

Ability to demonstrate a genuine interest in the fisheries programs and is active in communicating concerns within the program and communicate positive solutions.

Minimum Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.

Three years of experience as a Fish Technician III or equivalent.

Required to pass pre-employment drug test.

Must possess a valid Washington State Driver's License with the ability to obtain a Yakama Nation Driving permit.

Enrolled Yakama Preference, but all qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

Preferred Requirements

Associates Degree in Fisheries or related field.