Tagging Technician

BBSRI; Alaska; Remote; USD 52,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

BBSRI seeks tagging technicians for a remote Alaskan field camp to study Nushagak River Chinook salmon. You will gain hands-on skills in radiotagging, gillnetting, skiff operation, and data collection from a world-renowned salmon population.

Expect to work in challenging conditions, with training provided and a strong emphasis on safety and teamwork. Positions run through the summer season with remote camp living and periodic travel to Anchorage and Dillingham for training.

Qualifications

• Highschool diploma or GED with science coursework.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to remote camps.
• Red Cross First Aid certification required before arrival.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain drift gillnets in a riverine environment.
• Set up and maintain a remote field camp and living quarters.
• Live in a remote field camp full-time from late May to mid-August.
• Operate, maintain, and repair skiffs and power tools.
• Collect and record environmental data and biological samples.
• Communicate findings with project managers throughout the season.

Skills

Valid driver's license

First Aid training

Strong communication

Education

Highschool diploma or GED

Red Cross First Aid certification

Bachelor's degree (biology/environmental science or related)

Job description

BBSRI is looking to hire tagging technicians for our new Nushagak Chinook salmon mark/recapture program, beginning in 2027. This position offers the opportunity to build fish handling, radiotagging, gillnetting and skiff operation skills in a remote Alaskan field camp. Take part in our efforts to study and conserve the declining Nushagak River Chinook salmon stock, collecting escapement, run timing and distribution data from this world-renowned salmon population.

We are seeking applicants who are willing to push their limits while maintaining a professional working environment and collecting high-quality scientific data. Technicians must be capable of meeting project expectations without constant direct supervision and maintain good communication with coworkers and project managers.

Working Conditions

Technicians will spend approximately 3 days in Anchorage and Dillingham receiving training and preparing for the season, and the rest of the season will be spent in a remote field camp at the mouth of the Nushagak River. Field camps will be equipped with private living quarters, a shared kitchen/office structure, solar and gas generated power, full kitchen amenities, and StarLink satellite internet. The average work week will be 8 hours of work per day, 7 days per week, not including camp duties. Technicians will need be required to fish every incoming tide, and work shifts will occasionally occur late, at night, and in potentially foul weather.

Technicians will safely operate skiffs, power tools and chainsaws on a frequent basis, as part of typical work responsibilities. As these are remote field camps, there is significant risk of wildlife interactions, including bear and moose. Training will be provided; however, all crew should be prepared to follow conflict mitigation protocols and use non-lethal and lethal measures if necessary.

Duties and Responsibilities

Project Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain drift gillnets
• Set up, maintain, and tear down a remote field camp
• Live and work in a remote field camp full-time from late May to mid-August
• Operate, maintain and repair propeller-powered skiffs in a riverine environment
• Perform difficult physical tasks in adverse weather conditions and/or in swift-moving rivers
• Safely and effectively use hand tools, power tools and firearms
• Maintain a detailed inventory of camp and weir equipment
• Work and live in close quarters with fellow crewmembers and project managers
• Work with project managers to resolve protocol, weir operation and logistical issues
• Interact with people of diverse backgrounds in fishing guide camps and remote Alaskan villages

Scientific Data Collection

• Conduct daily gillnet sets according to a fixed tide-based schedule
• Identify adult Pacific salmon by species as they are caught
• Apply acousic and Floy tags to adult Chinook salmon
• Sample live adult Chinook salmon for age, sex, length and genetic data
• Meet daily, weekly and season sampling/tagging goals
• Collect and record environmental observations (weather, river stage, temperature, etc.)
• Distinguish all Pacific salmon by sex and species
• Safely handle and release live adult salmonids
• Collect high quality scientific data without direct supervision
• Promptly and consistently communicate with project managers throughout the season

Record, Upload and QA/QC Data

• Use paper data sheets and Microsoft Excel to collect accurate and organized data
• Double-check and correct data entries
• Consistently upload a variety of data types on a regular schedule
• Identify and correct issues with counting, sampling and data collection protocols as they arise

Qualifications

Mandatory Prerequisites

• Highschool diploma or GED equivalent, including science, laboratory and/or data science coursework.
• A valid drivers license and social security number.
• Red Cross (or equivalent) First Aid training, to be completed before arrival. Training and certification fees will be refunded by BBSRI.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (or current enrollment in an undergraduate program), preferably in a relevant field (biology, environmental science, ecology, conservation biology, natural resource management, or wildlife management).
• Experience in a field research position, collecting biological samples and environmental data.
• Experience with gillnets, skiff operation and basic small motor mechanics.