Fish and Wildlife Technician 1

Minimum Qualifications

Thirty (30) semester credit hours, including 12 semester credit hours in fisheries, marine resources or wildlife management; mariculture; marine biology; aquaculture; aquatic, marine or terrestrial ecology; zoology; marine technology; botany; limnology; hydrology; or oceanography.

Preferred candidates have will have the ability to operate motorboats, tow trailers, and repair and maintain equipment. Good fish identification skills are important and prior fish sampling experience is a plus. Boating certification preferred, but not required. The incumbent will be required to complete a certification course within one month of the appointment.

Duties Description

Incumbent will conduct surveys of Eastern Hellbenders to document presence of wild and/or released head-started hellbenders via PIT-tag reader scans, rock lift surveys, and water sample collection for eDNA analysis. The incumbent will also monitor head-started hellbender release sites. This will include capturing hellbenders, taking morphological measurements, and conducting health assessments in addition to PIT-tag scans. Duties will also include installing and maintaining artificial nest boxes and/or installing large, flat flagstone cover rocks to enhance hellbender habitat. In addition to Hellbender work, the incumbent may also conduct surveys for Timber Rattlesnake. The incumbent will be responsible for recording and entering data. As time and opportunity permits, incumbent may assist with other regional wildlife tasks and duties. Experience in the use of GPS, GIS and Excel is preferred. Position involves travel from the office to study sites and will require long days and possible early morning or late evening work.

Additional Comments

Must have a valid driver’s license or demonstrate the ability to meet the transportation needs of the position.

Must be able to negotiate difficult terrain.

Must be able to work in remote areas.

Must be able to work in adverse weather conditions

Travel may be required.

Overnight travel may be required.

Weekends and holidays may be required.

Must be able to lift and move objects up to 50 pounds.

Telecommuting may be available, will be discussed at interview.

This is a seasonal, hourly appointment with an anticipated end date of 10/31/2024. Program needs and funding will determine actual termination date. Actual work schedule, duties and travel requirements may vary and will be discussed at the interview.

DEC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.