Fisheries Technician

JOB TITLE: Fisheries Technician

Division/Department: Resource Management/Administration - Onsite

Location: Fond du Lac Resource Management Division and Tribal Court Building –

As Designated

Reports To: Inland Fisheries Biologist

Probationary Period: 90 days – Full time; 120 days – Part time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt (hourly)

Classification: Non-Child Related NA

Driver’s License: Level 3 – Driver’s License Required.

Rate of Pay : $17.31 - $19.47

Responsibilities

• Position is required to take the lead on the field portions of the FDL Lake Sturgeon Restoration Project. Coordinating with partner agencies to perform egg collection for hatchery operations, annual juvenile Sturgeon stocking, adult capture efforts, and radio telemetry efforts.
• Assists FDL Fisheries Biologist with organizing and monitoring fisheries harvest in the 1837 and 1854 Ceded Territories.
• Assists FDL Biologist with creeling, collecting fish otoliths, setting and pulling gill-nets, boat trailering and operation, and data entry.
• Act as a crew lead with other FDL Resource Management staff on fish population assessments and other associated fish monitoring efforts.
• Lake Sturgeon Restoration Project includes a monitoring effort which entails operating a boat in the Upper St. Louis River, drift netting juvenile Sturgeon, adult Sturgeon capture, attaching radio tags to adult Sturgeon, radio telemetry, data entry using Microsoft Excel and ArcGIS.
• Assist FDL Fisheries Biologist in the planning and implementation of the FDL Lake Superior Subsistence Fishing Program. Including, but not limited to, vessel operation in Lake Superior, setting and pulling gill-nets, creeling fish, constructing buoys, anchors, and net sets, filleting and packaging fish, and data entry.
• Position requires precise laboratory preparation and analysis of fish hard structures- scales, spines, and otoliths.
• The Fisheries Technician is expected to be an expert in boat trailering and operation, and be knowledgeable with basic outboard motor maintenance.
• Familiar with fish populations assessment techniques, especially adult and juvenile walleye in Minnesota lakes and rivers that have been or are likely to be fished under treaty rights.
• Represents the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and the department in a positive and professional manner in the community.
• Recognizes that employees have certain personal responsibilities which affect the operational efficiency of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Maintains accordance with Reservation policy. Provides adequate notice to supervisor in accordance with Reservation policy.
• Appropriate work attire is required.
• Must attend all mandatory department trainings.
• Ensures confidentiality of financial records and all records for employees and or clients.
• Displays a responsive and professional manner in promptly responding to all requests, complaints, and problems.
• Recognizes that each employee is a representative of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and is responsible for demonstrating courtesy, respect, and sensitivity to the needs of all others, including visitors and co-workers.
• Required to maintain proper attendance including reporting to work on time in accordance with applicable policies.
• Maintains a clean and organized work area.
• Due to changes and modifications in the job from time to time, employees are required to be flexible and assume other responsibilities assigned by management as deemed necessary.

Qualifications

• Valid Driver’s License issued in the US is required.
• Eligibility determined by FDL's insurance company.
• One or more years fisheries management work experience required.
• Applicant is expected to be an expert at boat trailering and operation.
• Knowledge of fisheries techniques such as, fish identification, boat electroshocking techniques, PIT-tagging, radio telemetry, gill-net surveys, and in-river drift sampling is required.
• Knowledge of data entry computer applications to include Microsoft Word and Excel is required.
• Experience with Global Positioning System (GPS) is required.
• Experience with fish aging laboratory methods, including otoliths and scales is preferred.
• Knowledge of Native American Communities, Culture, customs, and beliefs is preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing is required.
• Ability to work independently and establish priorities is required.
• Attention to detail and accuracy is required.
• Ability to establish professional and harmonious working relationships on all projects and with all parties involved.
• Subject to drug and alcohol testing in accordance with the Fond du Lac Reservation’s Personnel Policies
• Subject to pre-employment and annual background checks.
• Subject to immunization review and submitted proof of required vaccinations.
• Travel is required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• The physical demands of this position are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• While performing the duties, the Fisheries Technician will be expected to do various physical activities involved in field work on lakes and streams such as, walking, lifting, paddling and portaging a canoe, handling field gear and equipment, and be able to swim.
• Must be able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

NATIVE AMERICAN PREFERENCE

The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Nagaajiwanaang (Where the water stops), is one of the six Bands of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe and a proud sovereign Ojibwe nation. We strive to be a diverse, supportive, and inclusive workforce that employs Fond du Lac Band members, native peoples, and those from our surrounding communities.

As one of Carlton County's largest employers, the Fond du Lac Band is dedicated to elevating the community through a broad spectrum of programs and enterprises including our gaming facilities, tribal government, health services, and education that promotes our language, culture, and the preservation of our natural resources.

The Fond du Lac Band is an employer that cultivates the growth of our employees and our programs; a place where you can develop your skills and gain experience that will positively impact the lives of those who call the Fond du Lac Band home. Our hiring practices follow tribal employment rights outlined in Fond du Lac Ordinance #12/94 (TERO).

Join the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa in our mission to preserve and promote our community while contributing to its vibrant future.