Fisheries Technician

Role Responsibilities

Could 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 Southern Alberta.

Key responsibilities for this position will include: 
•    Planning daily field data collection activities under supervision and following provided guidelines and standards.
•    Reviewing and understanding data collection and Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) requirements before fieldwork.
•    Conducting field surveys, including electrofishing, index netting, creel surveys, walleye gamete collection (spawn camps), and fish sampling.
•    Collecting field data safely in accordance with provincial standards and under supervision.
•    Preparing samples and conducting lab analyses, such as fish aging and stomach content analysis.
•    Recording field data in notebooks, on paper, or digitally, and transcribing data into the provincial FWMIS database with a focus on accuracy.
•    Keeping detailed field notes, data entry sheets, and photos, with regular reviews from supervisors.
•    Reviewing hazards and controls, contributing to safety plans, and ensuring compliance with safety protocols.
•    Cleaning, organizing, and maintaining field equipment to meet program needs and OH&S requirements.
•    Performing regular maintenance checks, arranging equipment repairs, and ensuring Personal Protective Equipment is maintained.

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.

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.

How Competencies will apply to this role:

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

Additional Requirements: 
•    Valid Class 5 driver’s license.
•    First Aid and CPR 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 and identification of various fish species common to Alberta, including the collection of various fish aging structures and aging techniques.
•    Working knowledge of how to collect fisheries data. Sampling techniques include electrofishing (backpack, boat, and float), gill netting and angler interviews.
•    Pleasure Craft Operator’s certification and operational boating experience
•    Electrofishing certification
•    Ability to work in remote camp settings for extended periods of time.
•    An understanding of methods for data management and security, including being familiar with Alberta’s Fish and Wildlife Management Information System (FWMIS).
•    Bear Awareness and/or Bear Spray course
•    Proficiency in use of computers including MS Office: Word, Excel, stats, and presentation software programs.

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

Hours of Work: 
•    36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday
•    Days of the week will be dependent on placement, and staff are required to work evenings, weekends, and holidays throughout the summer.

Term of Employment:
•    6-month seasonal wage opportunity.
•    Start date beginning in April or May depending on office location, and an anticipated end date of October 31 with possibilities for extension.

Location:
•    Cochrane, Red Deer, Spruce Grove, Lethbridge Districts in support of the South Region Fish and Wildlife Stewardship Branch.

Wage Benefits:
•    Wage employees receive 11.2% in addition to regular wage earnings in lieu of benefits and vacation leave. 
•    5.2 percent of regular wage earnings instead of paid holidays.
•    6 percent of regular wage earnings instead of annual vacation pay. 
•    Weekend shifts are eligible for a premium of $3.25 per hour.
•    Evening shifts are eligible for a premium of $2.75 per hour.

Additional Information:
•    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.

Any costs associated with obtaining 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.
 

Instructions for your Resume:

For Employment Experience:
Please indicate duration of employment (month, year)
Please specify employment status (i.e. casual, part-time or full-time)
E.g.: Administrator, Jan 2006 - June 2009, Part-time (three, 8 hour shifts/week)

For any Post-Secondary Education:
Please specify your major and length of program
Please specify the year you graduated
E.g.: Bachelor of Social Work, 4-year Degree (Graduated 2017)
 

Links and information on what the GoA has to offer to prospective employees.
•    Working for the Alberta Public Service – https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx 
•    Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool - https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca
•    Positive workplace culture and work-life balance

Resources for applicants:
•    https://www.alberta.ca/apply-for-jobs-with-the-alberta-public-service.aspx
•    https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-hiring-process.aspx
•    https://alis.alberta.ca/look-for-work/