Fisheries Technician

Role Responsibilities

Can you imagine yourself working in a dynamic environment that provides interesting challenges and beautiful outdoor scenery? Would you like to contribute to the overall management of Provincial fisheries?  If so, this may be the opportunity for you!

The Resource Stewardship – Fish and Wildlife Stewardship Branch is currently looking to fill seasonal Fisheries Technician roles in various locations across North Alberta (Athabasca, Lac La Biche, Cold Lake, Edson, Grande Prairie).

This position’s responsibilities include:

Fish population assessment
Assess fish populations to ensure scientifically credible evidence is available, so fisheries biologists and managers can inform stewardship decisions (including recreational angling regulations).
•    Plan daily field data collection activities, under supervision, within provided guidelines and standards.
•    Review and understand data collection and Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) requirements prior to field work.

Field data are collected safely in accordance with provincial standards. 
Apply skills and knowledge to safely collect survey information under supervision
•    Conduct field surveys (electrofishing, index netting, creel surveys, angler effort surveys, human dimensions, fish sampling) and participate in data collection.
•    Keep data entry sheets notes, photos with review from supervisors.
•    Prepare samples and conducts lab analyses as required (fish ageing, stomach content analyses)
•    Review hazards and controls and contributes and delivers on safety plans.

Data Entry is completed in an accurate and standard manner.
•    Record field data in field notebooks, paper or digital
•    Transcribe field data from paper, video, photos, and load into provincial FWMIS database, paying attention to accuracy.

Maintain and Organize Field Equipment
Clean, organize, and maintain field equipment to meet program needs and meet OH&S requirements.
•    Perform and record regular maintenance checks.
•    Take equipment to appropriate facilities for repair and inspection.
•    Maintain Personal Protective Equipment

About Your Work Environment 
Successful candidates will be assigned to work out of various offices throughout the province and may be required to work in the field for extended periods of time with rustic living conditions. You will interact with senior level staff and be exposed to a variety of fisheries opportunities and experience throughout your work term.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies: https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

Drive for results - to organize a diverse workload, work independently and take ownership of all assigned projects to help achieve organizational goals while striving for excellence.

Build Collaborative Environments - by sharing ideas, valuing input of others and working collaboratively and productively to achieve the outcomes.

Creative Problem Solving - to assess options and implications in new ways to inform fisheries management decisions for achieving outcomes and solutions for the sustainability of fisheries resources in the region.

Agility - to anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities, as well as work effectively in a changing environment.

Qualifications

Required:
Natural Resources 4
•    A high school diploma related; plus 1 years related experience.

Natural Resources 5
•    A two-year diploma related to Natural Sciences; no experience required

Natural Resources 6
•    A two-year diploma related to Natural Sciences; plus 3 years related experience

Additional Requirements: 
•    Valid Class 5 driver’s licence.
•    First Aid Certification 

Equivalency: Directly related education or experience considered based on:
•    1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or
•    1 year of experience for 1 year education

Assets: 
•    Inland fisheries related work experience, working knowledge of various fish species common to Alberta, including various fish aging techniques.
•    Working knowledge of how to collect fisheries data. Sampling techniques include electrofishing (backpack, boat, and float), gill netting and angler interviews.
•    ATV certification
•    Pleasure Craft Operator’s certification and operational boating experience
•    Hold, or eligible to hold a Possession and Acquisition License (PAL) for firearms.
•    Electrofishing certification
•    Ability to work in remote camp settings for extended periods of time.
•    An understanding of methods for data management and security
•    Proficiency in use of computers including MS Office: Word, Excel, stats, and presentation software programs.
•    Familiar with Alberta’s Fish and Wildlife Information System (FWMIS)

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 
Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards

Notes

Terms of Employment:
•    Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week. 

•    Days of the week will be dependent on placement, and staff are required to work evenings, weekends, and holidays throughout the summer.

•    This is a seasonal wage opportunity starting at the beginning of May with an anticipated end date of October 31 with possibilities for extension.

•    Field accommodation may be available at some locations.

•    Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening and provide a current criminal record check and drivers abstract.

•    Training will be provided to successful candidates.

This competition will be used to fill nine seasonal Fisheries Technician positions for the following locations:
•    Athabasca, Lac La Biche and Cold Lake Districts in support of the Northeast Region Fish and Wildlife Stewardship Branch. The two positions in Cold Lake have a potential for six-month extension.

•    Edson, Grand Prairie, in support of the Northwest Region Fish and Wildlife Stewardship Branch.