Background: Mid-Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group (MCF) is a non-profit, community based group dedicated to protecting and restoring wild salmonid populations and their habitats through restoration, protection, education, and community involvement throughout our region. Mid-Columbia Fisheries works with landowners and community partners to protect and restore fish habitat. The Mid-Columbia region includes the Yakima Basin, the Klickitat, White Salmon, and Wind Rivers, and numerous smaller tributaries in Skamania, Klickitat, Benton, Yakima, Kittitas and Franklin Counties. For more information about us please visit our website: http://midcolumbiafisheries.org/
Job Description: MCF seeks to fill 3 full-time paid summer assistant positions to work out of our Ellensburg and Yakima offices collecting data and assisting with restoration, large woody debris supplementation, vegetation monitoring, fish passage, assessment, fish rescue, public education, and some related office work. We are seeking hard-working, dedicated individuals interested in building skills and experience in these areas. Activities are primarily geared toward bull trout restoration, vegetation monitoring, public outreach, and assisting trained technicians and partners in the field. Assistants will have the opportunity to work on a variety of MCF projects and partner projects. Below are descriptions of the projects these positions will be assisting:
Bull Trout Task Force:
- Relocation of bull trout that have been stranded in disconnected streams;
- Educational outreach of recreationists to protect bull trout, a threatened species;
- Removing recreational dams that block access to bull trout and salmon spawning and;
- Performing campground presentations to increase awareness of bull trout.
Monitoring
- Work with MCF staff and a consulting field survey lead to complete vegetation sampling; ● Work with MCF staff for restoration site monitoring.
- Work with MCF staff to complete a stream survey
- Complete data entry and quality control of data, including GPS data.
Restoration with Large Wood
- Work with MCF crew to manually input downed wood into a remote stream ● Assist with maneuvering cables, moving wood, and operating grip hoist
Additional Work:
- Stewardship, including planting, weeding, and watering;
- Assisting with population estimates and redd surveys;
Skills and Qualifications:
Applicants must be:
- Able to communicate effectively, responding to emails, texts, and calls in a timely manner;
- Flexible to changes in assigned duties;
- Respectful in communication with a variety of people including crew members, supervisor, volunteers, other assistants, landowners, and others;
- Punctual, dependable and self-motivated;
- Must demonstrate the ability and willingness to perform all aspects of the work, including:
- Being comfortable working in remote wilderness settings (without cell phone coverage);
- Able to perform physically demanding manual labor outdoors on difficult and hazardous terrain in all types of weather and occasionally at night;
- Capable of repetitively lifting 40 lbs into and out of trucks, walking 5 miles daily over steep or uneven terrain;
- Able to safely wade and swim in cold flowing water;
- Willing to camp, work at night, and work more than 10 hours in a single day; o Repetitively lifting 50 lbs. into and out of trucks, walking 3 miles daily over steep or uneven terrain, and operating power tools for 6-8 hrs. per day
- Must provide your own hiking boots, backpack, and rain gear. Waders and a dry suit, when necessary, will be provided;
- Committed to complying with all safety and personnel policies, which include being fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Compensation: $15.00 hourly
Position Duration: Positions are expected to begin mid-June 2022 and terminate on or around August 19th, 2022, with the possibility of some additional work through September 30th, 2022. Positions will work 10 hours a day for a total of 40 hours per week for 10-14 weeks. Position start dates may be flexible depending on school schedule and must be established during the application process.
Part time position will be considered and is an opportunity for those with prior summer obligations or seeking additional work experience. This position would have a flexible start date and individuals would be working two days a week, for 6-10 weeks.
To Apply: A complete application should include a cover letter, resume, availability for the summer, and a list of three references. Please email one electronic copy of your completed application packet to Zac Zacavish at zac@midcolumbiafisheries.org
Applicants are encouraged to email with any questions about these positions or how to apply for C.W. U. credits.
Application Closes: The positions are open until filled. We will begin reviewing applications on March 21st, 2022. Interviews to follow the review date.