Fisheries Research Technician

Position Title:

Fisheries Research Technician

Position Summary:

This position will be responsible for working on a variety of fisheries research projects including but not limited to adult and larval fish community sampling and nonnative species removal in the Green, Yampa, and White rivers in Colorado and Utah in collaboration with US Fish and Wildlife Service, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and Utah Department of Wildlife Resources. All projects will have field and laboratory responsibilities including but not limited to collection of fish through various field sampling methods and identification of fish at all life stages.

Organization:

Colorado State University Larval Fish Laboratory

Responsibilities/Duties:

Technician Assistance

• Conduct field research and sampling aimed at community assessment and conservation of native fishes, including federally-listed Colorado Pikeminnow, Humpback Chub and Bonytail, as well as Roundtail Chub, Speckled Dace, and Flannelmouth and Bluehead suckers, in streams of the upper Colorado River Basin, Colorado and Utah

• Sample in the Green and Yampa rivers using nets, seines, and electrofishing to remove invasive Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, and other nonnative species

• Drift-net sampling of larvae to measure reproductive success of Colorado Pikeminnow in Dinosaur National Monument

• Sort samples and identify fish of all life stages

• Tag fish and collect data PIT tags and detectors and data loggers

• Assist other federal and state agency collaborators with field work

Required Qualifications:

• Strong work ethic and self-motivation

• Willingness to work long hours in a team setting under difficult conditions (mud, heat, bugs, and unpredictable weather)

• Willingness to travel to remote locations in western Colorado and Utah

 o Up to 10 days on, 4-6 days off, both primitive camping and cabins, 80 or more hrs per shift, includes holidays and weekends

• Excellent note-taking and field data recording skills

• Ability to work without supervision, make decisions, and troubleshoot in the field

• Ability to lift and carry heavy loads (40 lbs) and hike daily over rough terrain

• Good swimming and wading ability

• Valid driver’s license

• Ability to pass CSU background check

• Flexibility with scheduling

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous fish biology or field biology experience

• Experience identifying fishes of Colorado, especially in the Colorado River Basin

• Experience working from hard-bottom boats and rafts in rivers

• Ability to operate 4wd trucks

Hourly Pay Rate: $15.00-17.00/hr depending on experience; per diem and field accommodations provided

Application Instructions:

To apply, email your resume to Kevin.Bestgen@colostate.edu

Employee Benefits

Employee Benefit information can be found on HR’s Website at https://hr.colostate.edu/current-employees/benefits/  

CSU is an EO/EA/AA employer.

Colorado State University may conduct background checks on all final candidates.