Individual Placement - Fish Biotechnician at Lower Monumental Dam

scacareers; Washington; On-site; USD 48,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

First Aid/CPR

AmeriCorps eligible

Housing allowance

Health insurance (optional)

Job summary

SCA is seeking interns to assist at Lower Monumental Dam, WA, performing juvenile fish sampling, data collection, and observations of growth, injury, and disease. The role involves transporting juvenile fish, bypassing systems, and disseminating data in a remote area near Kahlotus.

Responsibilities include handling equipment, assisting engineers, and supporting ESA-related decisions. Housing allowances and AmeriCorps eligibility accompany this internship.

Qualifications

• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license.
• Must have a High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Must have the ability to effectively speak, read, and write in English.
• Must have the ability to work outdoors.

Responsibilities

• Sample juvenile salmonids and non-salmonids.
• Collection and dissemination of data.
• Preparing circulation systems for sampling.
• Collection of sample fish.
• Crowding fish in tanks and raceways.
• Cleaning flumes, tanks and filters.
• Loading barge holds of juvenile fish.
• Enumeration and calculation of raceway and barge holds.
• Identification of juvenile and adult fish species.
• Monitor fish behavior and report changes.

Skills

Valid driver's license

English proficiency

Outdoor work

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Access

Macros

Job description

Position Summary

The position is located at Lower Monumental Dam on the lower Snake River near the rural town of Kahlotus Washington. Lower Monumental Dam is a hydroelectric project with several missions, such as navigation, recreation, power generation and fish passage. At Lower Monumental Fish Facility, the primary responsibilities is the collection of juvenile salmonids and non-salmonid fish, collection and processing of data, making standardized observations of growth of several fish species, examine fish for signs of descaling, injury and disease, and transportation of juvenile fish. Participants will engage in sampling juvenile fish species, transporting fish, bypassing fish and collection and dissemination of data.

Location

Kahlotus, WA.

This is a remote area with limited or no cell service and no wifi service.

Schedule

November 1, 2026 - October 29, 2027

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Sample juvenile salmonids and non-salmonids
• Collection and dissemination of data
• Preparing circulation systems for sampling
• Collection of sample fish
• Crowding fish in tanks and raceways
• Cleaning flumes, tanks and filters
• Loading barge holds of juvenile fish
• Enumeration and calculation of raceway and barge holds
• Identification of juvenile and adult fish species
• Monitor fish behavior and report changes

Marginal Duties

• Interacting with powerhouse electricians, mechanics and engineers
• Participate in critical decisions surrounding ESA listed species
• Adult fishway inspections
• Fish rescue from turbine areas or other waterways
• Avian bird counts and behaviors

Required Qualifications

• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license
• Must have a High School Diploma or equivalent
• Must have the ability to effectively speak, read, and write in English
• Must have the ability to work outdoors

Preferred Qualifications

• Fish identification
• Bird identification
• Microsoft experience in excel, word, powerpoint, access and macros
• Experience in working with chemicals

Hours

Up to 84 hours every 2 weeks

Living Accommodations

No long-term living accommodations provided by USACE. Participant expected to acquire housing via housing allowance.

Compensation

• $500 Weekly Living Allowance (Paid bi-weekly)
• $75 Weekly Commuting Allowance (Paid bi-weekly)
• $1,000 Monthly Housing Allowance (12 months)
• Optional Monthly Health Insurance (12 months)
• AmeriCorps Eligible at fulfillment of internship requirements and 1700 service hours (Award value ~$7,395)
• NTE $650 Duty Related Travel Reimbursement (if not already living locally)

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.

Personal Vehicle Information

Required

Additional Benefits

First Aid/CPR

AmeriCorps: Eligible (Award valued at $7,395) at fulfillment of 1700 service hours

Equal Opportunity Statement

SCA is an equal opportunity employer. Selection decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and performance, without unlawful discrimination.