Fisheries Science Technician

nc; North Carolina; On-site; USD 32,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) seeks a Fisheries Technician to support the North Carolina Independent Gill Net Survey (IGNS) in the Northern District. The role involves collecting fish with gill nets, gathering biological data, and processing records while operating boats and sampling equipment.

Hours vary seasonally, with late evenings and early mornings required. Candidates must swim, lift up to 50 pounds, and possess a valid driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Must swim and be able to lift at least 50 pounds.
• Valid driver's license required.
• Associate's degree in agricultural, biological, engineering, environmental or natural resource sciences or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Collect fish using gill nets in estuarine waters near Albemarle Sound.
• Obtain biological data including length, weight, diet samples, ageing structures, and reproductive condition.
• Process, record, compile, and verify biological data and perform data quality control.
• Operate and maintain outboard motors, boats, trailers, trucks, net reels and other sampling equipment; lift heavy gear.
• Use other sampling gears (trawls, pots, trammel nets, seines, electro-fisher) or collect additional biological data from fish and invertebrates.
• Collect fisheries dependent data through sampling of commercial catches at local fish houses.

Skills

Boating experience

Swimming

Driver's license

Education

Associate's degree or equivalent in agricultural, biological, engineering, environmental or natural resource sciences

Job description

About Us

The primary mission of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is to provide science-based environmental stewardship for the health and prosperity of all North Carolinians. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is the lead stewardship agency for the protection of North Carolina's environmental resources. The organization, which has offices from the mountains to the coast, administers regulatory programs designed to protect air quality, water quality, and the public's health, and works to advance in all-of-the-above energy strategy that fits North Carolina's needs. DEQ also offers technical assistance to businesses, farmers, local governments, and the public and encourages responsible behavior with respect to the environment through education programs provided at DEQ facilities and through the state's school system. DEQ touches the lives of all North Carolinians in many ways to enhance and ensure our quality of life.

Description of Work

This Fisheries Technician will primarily work on the North Carolina Independent Gill Net Survey (IGNS, Program 135) for the Northern District, though may be required to work on other state and federally funded projects as well. Primary species of interest may include but are not limited to Striped Bass, Southern Flounder, American Shad, Alewife, Blueback Herring, and Blue Crab. Fish collected from this program will be identified to species, and may be tagged with traditional or electronic tags, or may be processed for biological data. Other duties include fisheries independent (trawl, seine) and fisheries dependent (fish house interviews) sampling, computer use and working independently and with others. Normal work hours will vary seasonally but late evening and early morning hours will be required. The technician must be able to swim, as well as be able to lift at least 50 pounds. A valid driver's license is required.

Key Responsibilities

• Collect fish using gill nets in estuarine waters in and around the Albemarle Sound.
• Obtain biological data including length, weight, diet samples, ageing structures, and the reproductive condition of crustaceans and finfish.
• Process, record, compile, and verify biological data, as well as perform data quality control.
• Operate and maintain outboard motors, boats, trailers, trucks, net reels, and other sampling equipment, lifting heavy cartons of fish and gear.
• Use other sampling gears (trawls, pots, trammel nets, seines, electro-fisher, etc.) or collect additional biological data from fish and invertebrates.
• Collection of fisheries dependent data through sampling of commercial catches at local fish houses.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Recruitment Range - $32,287 - $44,133

Important: This posting closes at 11:59:59 PM the night BEFORE the End Date above.

Management Preferences

Experience operating boats

The Division of Marine Fisheries

The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) is responsible for the stewardship of the state's marine and estuarine resources. The DMF's jurisdiction encompasses all coastal waters and extends to 3 miles offshore. Agency policies are established by the nine-member Marine Fisheries Commission and the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality. North Carolina is a member of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council , the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, and the National Shellfish Sanitation Program. Click here to learn more about the Division of Marine Fisheries .

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an 'equivalent combination of education and experience.' If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Associate's degree in one of the agricultural, biological, engineering, environmental or natural resource sciences or a closely related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

EEO Statement

T he State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.