Overview:
Lynker is seeking a part-time Fisheries Research Technician to support NOAA NMFS AFSC, Auke Bay Laboratories. This position supports ongoing salmon research at the Auke Creek Research Station in Juneau, Alaska, through fish sampling, salmon husbandry, salmon weir operations, environmental monitoring, data management, statistical analysis, and scientific reporting.
The Auke Creek Research Station is a fish weir and experimental hatchery facility that supports the complete enumeration of juvenile and returning adult coho, pink, and sockeye salmon. Data collected at Auke Creek provide indices of salmon productivity, inform fisheries science and management in Southeast Alaska, and help researchers understand the effects of climate variability during critical periods of Pacific salmon life cycles. The technician may also support fisheries research at NOAA NMFS’s remote Little Port Walter Marine Research Station for up to four weeks.
Responsibilities:
Duties of the Fisheries Research Technician will include the following:
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Coordinate and assist with fish collection, biological sampling, coded-wire tagging, spawning, and fish-processing activities.
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Collect, preserve, and digitize salmon scales.
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Support salmon husbandry activities and maintain associated equipment.
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Collect and document daily environmental data.
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Coordinate and participate in the installation, reconfiguration, removal, maintenance, and safe daily operation of research salmon weirs at Auke Creek and Sashin Creek.
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Stage and de-stage field equipment, samples, supplies, data, and other materials needed for research activities.
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Document staged and de-staged items, including their storage locations, within required timeframes.
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Enter fish abundance, length, weight, spawning, husbandry, scale, and environmental data into spreadsheets and databases.
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Analyze fisheries data using the R statistical software package.
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Conduct literature reviews related to salmon and fisheries research.
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Assist with the preparation and editing of reports, standard operating procedures, manuscripts, State of Alaska permitting reports, and NOAA Technical Memoranda.
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Prepare written summaries of data collected, analyses completed, and data-file locations.
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Provide weekly updates regarding data entry, analysis, reporting, and other assigned work.
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Contribute to monthly progress reports describing accomplishments, issues, travel, action items, and recommendations.
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Document and immediately report deviations from established scientific protocols.
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Immediately report observed safety concerns or injuries.
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Safely operate powered small boats in Alaska waters.
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Safely operate power tools required for field activities.
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Support fisheries research at Little Port Walter for up to four weeks, as required.
Qualifications:
The Fisheries Research Technician should have the following:
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Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in fisheries, aquaculture, genetics, biology, natural science, mathematics, or another field directly related to the work.
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At least three years of related experience, or a combination totaling seven years of relevant education and experience.
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A higher-level science degree may substitute for experience.
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Experience with salmon husbandry techniques.
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Experience using the R statistical software package.
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Experience entering information into databases.
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Experience working in remote areas of Alaska.
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Experience working extended hours in adverse environmental conditions.
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Experience working aboard or operating powered small boats in Alaska waters.
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Experience safely operating power tools used for fieldwork.
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Ability to lift and move items weighing up to 20 kilograms, approximately 44 pounds, without assistance.
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Ability to successfully complete the required background investigation and obtain public-trust suitability before beginning work.
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Ability to comply with NOAA NMFS safety, security, records-management, confidentiality, and information-technology requirements.
The Ideal Fisheries Research Technician will have the following:
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Previous experience conducting salmon research at a fish weir, hatchery, or fisheries field station.
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Previous experience supporting NOAA NMFS, the Alaska Fisheries Science Center, or a comparable fisheries research program.
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Experience collecting, preserving, and digitizing salmon scales.
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Experience installing, maintaining, or operating salmon weirs.
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Experience preparing fisheries reports, technical memoranda, manuscripts, standard operating procedures, or permitting documents.
Work Environment
This is a part-time, onsite position based at NOAA NMFS’s Auke Creek Research Station in Juneau, Alaska. Work will be scheduled during the facility’s normal operating hours, generally five days per week, and may vary based on seasonal and field requirements. Work will not exceed 40 hours per week.
The position includes field, laboratory, dockside, and harborside activities. Work may involve adverse weather, physically demanding conditions, fish handling, small-boat operations, power-tool use, equipment maintenance, and the installation and operation of salmon weirs.
The employee may be required to spend up to four weeks at NOAA NMFS’s Little Port Walter Marine Research Station on southern Baranof Island. Little Port Walter is a remote field station without nearby stores or restaurants. NOAA NMFS provides furnished housing, utilities, basic field equipment, and space to ship and store groceries. The employee is responsible for personal food, work clothing, boots, and other personal field apparel. Transportation may be available through NOAA NMFS on a space-available basis. Per diem is not provided for this assignment.
About Lynker
Lynker is a growing, employee owned business, specializing in professional, scientific and technical services. Our continually expanding team combines scientific expertise with mature, results-driven processes and tools to achieve technically sound, cost effective solutions in hydrology/water sciences, geospatial analysis, information technology, resource management, conservation, and management and business process improvement.
We focus on putting the right people in the right place to be effective. And having the right people is critical for success. Our streamlined organization enables and empowers our talented professionals to tackle our customers' scientific and technical priorities – creatively and effectively.
Lynker offers a team-oriented work environment, and the opportunity to work in a culture of exceptionally skilled professionals who embrace sound science and creative solutions. Lynker's benefits include the following:
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Comprehensive healthcare for the employee at no monthly cost
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Healthcare benefit covers medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision
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Personal Time Off (PTO) Policy plus paid holidays
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Highly competitive compensation plan regularly calibrated against industry and location benchmarks
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401(k) retirement plan with company-matching
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Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) – we're all company owners!
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Flexible spending accounts
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Employee assistance program (EAP)
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Short- and long-term disability insurance
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Life and accident insurance
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Tuition assistance/Training/Workforce improvement reimbursement per year
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Spot bonuses for exceptional performance
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Annual Employee Recognition Awards with bonuses
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Employee Referral Program
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Free centralized, self-directed Learning Management System to learn at your own pace
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Personalized career growth plans for every employee
Lynker is an E-Verify employer.
Lynker is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local laws.
