Fisheries Technician

Role Responsibilities

Are you passionate about fish conservation and looking for a hands-on role in Alberta’s fisheries management? As a Fisheries Technician, you’ll play a vital role in operating one of the province’s major fish culture facilities, ensuring the successful incubation, rearing, transfer, and distribution of fish to water bodies across Alberta. You’ll also manage mechanical water treatment systems critical to maintaining optimal fish health.

Reporting to the Facility Supervisor, you’ll apply your expertise in fish production to support the Ministry’s conservation goals and facility objectives. Your key responsibilities include:

• Implementing incubation and rearing strategies to support fish production.
• Operating and maintaining facility infrastructure, including mechanical water treatment systems.
• Monitoring egg and fish health, ensuring optimal growth conditions.
• Managing egg and fish transport equipment and assisting with facility design improvements.
• Supporting the full fish life cycle from incubation to rearing using proven techniques.
• Transport fish according to provincial stocking plan.
• Participating in the standby rotation to respond to after-hours alarms.

Success in this role requires strong collaboration with a diverse network of stakeholders, including Alberta Infrastructure representatives. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to lead public tours, develop educational materials, and contribute to outreach initiatives that promote awareness of Alberta’s fish conservation efforts.

As a Fisheries Technician, you’ll also mentor junior technical staff, contractors, and seasonal team members, sharing your knowledge and expertise to support the next generation of fisheries professionals.

For a closer look at what it's like to work as a Fisheries Technician, click here.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

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.

Position Specific Competencies:

• Agility: Proactively anticipates and adapts to shifting priorities, demonstrating resilience in uncertain situations while effectively navigating a dynamic work environment.
• Drive for Results: Focuses on achieving key outcomes by optimizing resources, aligning efforts with organizational goals, and maintaining accountability to colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Building Collaborative Environments: Fosters teamwork by creating and supporting conditions that encourage productive collaboration, ensuring collective success.
• Creative Problem-Solving: Evaluates challenges from multiple perspectives, exploring innovative solutions to achieve desired outcomes effectively.

Qualifications

Requirements:

A two-year diploma in Fisheries Biology, Aquaculture, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or a related field.

• A Valid Class 5 Drivers License (or equivalent).
• Willingness and physical ability to travel and perform demanding fieldwork in remote locations and varying weather conditions.
• Candidates must possess the following certifications or be willing to obtain them as part of their training:
  • Class 3 Driver’s License with air brake endorsement.
  • Defensive Driving Certification.
  • First Aid with AED Training.

Equivalency:
Directly related education or experience will be considered on the basis of one year of education for one year of experience, or one year of experience for one year of education.

Assets:

• Knowledge of fish life cycle stages, including techniques for egg and fish rearing such as incubation, growth, grading, and transportation; understanding of fish diseases and their treatments; and expertise in fish physiology and nutrition.
• Familiarity with mechanical systems, controls, and facility schematics.
• Knowledge of water treatment concepts and processes.
• Proficiency in water chemistry and the use of related test equipment.
• Knowledge of effluent water treatment and its applications.
• Familiar with Microsoft excel.

Candidates who do not yet meet all the qualifications may be considered for a position at a lower classification level, with the opportunity to advance to the higher classification once all criteria are fully met.

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

This is a full-time, permanent position based at the Cold Lake Fish Hatchery near Cold Lake, Alberta, with a work schedule of 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

Work Conditions:

• Flexible Work Schedule: The position requires a flexible schedule, including travel, shift work, and weekend work, potentially extending throughout the spring and into late fall. This may involve working outside of regular business hours.
• Physical Demands: The role involves heavy lifting (over 20 kg) and driving long distances (more than 1000 km or 12 hours in a single shift) in varying weather and road conditions.
• High-Pressure Environment: Ability to perform under pressure with tight deadlines and high demands.
• Independence and Teamwork: Capable of working independently with minimal supervision, as well as collaborating effectively in team settings.
• Outdoor Work: Must be comfortable working outdoors in adverse weather conditions.

Please submit your cover letter and updated resume. In your resume, clearly indicate the duration of each role by providing the month and year, and specify the employment status (e.g., casual, part-time, or full-time). For example: Customer Service Representative, July 2015 - December 2017, Part-time (20 hours/week).

For your post-secondary education, specify your major, the length of the program, and your year of graduation. For example: Diploma in Water Resources Technology, 2-year program, Sept 2014 - June 2016.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees.

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.