Position Description and Application Information
Fisheries Technician (Hourly)
Illinois Natural History Survey
Prairie Research institute
Position will be under the direction of Sarah King and Dr. Joseph Parkos, III and will be based out of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Silver Springs SFWA office in Yorkville, IL.
Employer: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Job Description
The Illinois Natural History Survey at the University of Illinois is seeking a Fisheries Technician to work in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Biologists. The primary responsibility of the Fisheries Technician would be to conduct field and laboratory work in support of sportfish management projects in streams and reservoirs in Illinois, including the collection, processing, and interpretation of fisheries data. Duties may include: working with a crew of 3-4 persons; preparing samples for fish aging, determining age estimates, and performing basic data entry, processing, and analyses (training provided, if needed); assisting with fish community surveys using active (daytime and nighttime DC boat electrofishing) and passive (fyke nets, hoop nets, and gill nets) gears; assisting with vegetation and habitat management projects (artificial structure construction/placement, beneficial vegetation introductions, and observing nuisance herbicide treatments); assisting with fish kill evaluations as needed; assisting with equipment repair and maintenance; and collecting field data including water quality, fish species identification, and fish measurement. Workday start and end times during the field season can be variable depending on the day’s task and where it is being completed.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in fisheries, aquatic ecology, zoology, or closely related field. Must be knowledgeable in or willing to learn field and laboratory techniques associated with fisheries and aquatic ecology research. Experience operating boats, outboard motors, and trailers is preferred. Capability to assist with the management of large data sets and experience in GIS is also preferred. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license and must be able to swim. Applicant must be willing and able to: 1) work outside under a variety of field and environmental conditions; 2) travel throughout Illinois with overnight hotel stays (at project expense); 3) show good organizational and self-motivational skills; 4) experience using ArcGIS and R is preferred.
Appointment: Estimated dates are August 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, up to 40 hours per week; expected commitment of 11-24 months.
Salary: $14.00 - $16.00 per hour, academic hourly, dependent on experience.
Application: Applications will be considered as they are received, with an expected close date of 7/21/2023. The position may be filled sooner when a suitable candidate is found, but the position will remain open until filled. Electronic applications required. To apply, please send cover letter, resume, and names and contact information of three professional references to Kim Stanhope at stanhope@illinois.edu (Reference “Fisheries Technician 2023” in the subject line)
The U of I is an EEO Employer/Vet/Disabled http://go.illinois.edu/EEO that participates in the federal E-verify program and participates in a background check program focused on prior criminal or sexual misconduct history.
