Fisheries Research Technicians:
Agency: Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University.
Location: Onaway, Michigan at the Black River Sturgeon Research Hatchery.
Duration: Two positions will be available starting in April 2015. Positions are expected to last until September 2015.
Depending on project needs and funding, positions may be extended or shortened.
Project Overview: We are seeking two temporary fisheries research technicians to work on a Great Lakes Fishery Trust
research project with Michigan State University and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The goal of the
research project is to assess the passage behavior and survival of Age-0, Age-1, and Age-2 sturgeon through two
different hydroelectric facilities to inform managers and industry stakeholders on how to best operate hydroelectric
facilities and build fish passage systems. We will be employing acoustic telemetry to examine 2D passage behavior and
movements in the reservoirs. We will also be using PIT-tags and PIT-tag interrogation antennas to monitor sturgeon
passage and survival.
Job Duties: Principle job duties will include operating small motorized boats, accurately placing and anchoring acoustic
receivers, installing and maintaining PIT-tag antennas, surgically implanting PIT-tags and acoustic tags into sturgeon,
mapping reservoirs with side-scan sonar, data management and analysis, and conducting scuba diving surveys to
examine sturgeon habitat use. In addition, larval drift nets will be used at night to examine larvae passage and survival.
Other duties may include sturgeon brood stock collection (i.e., river snorkeling), wild larvae collection, hatchery
maintenance, tank cleaning, fish feeding, and rearing of sturgeon eggs, larvae, and juveniles.
Qualifications: Qualified applicants will have experience in the following areas:
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Ample experience operating and maintaining small boats.
Certified for scuba diving and comfortable diving under low visibility conditions.
Comfortable performing snorkel surveys in rivers.
Experience surgically implanting tags into fish is desirable, but not required.
Experience using Microsoft Excel and other data management and analysis software.
Work related experience in a hatchery setting would be advantageous, but not required.
Should be comfortable working in streams on uneven ground, lifting heavy items up to 50 lbs., and working in
adverse weather conditions.
8. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license and be able to properly operate and maintain a state vehicle.
9. Preference will be given to those that have experience using GIS software, acoustic telemetry technology, radio
telemetry, PIT-tag stream interrogation antennas, and side-scan sonar.
10. Preference will also be given to those that have completed coursework in the natural sciences or who have
completed an undergraduate degree in the natural sciences. Applicants should have an interest in fisheries
science and management.
Salary: 10 dollars per hour plus room and board. Housing will be provided near the hatchery and a weekly food
allowance will also be provided.
Closing Date: February 10th, 2015 or as soon as qualified applicants have been identified.
Contact Information: Please email a brief cover letter, resume, and contact information for 2-3 references to Jonathan
Hegna at the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University. Email Address:
jonathanhegna@gmail.com.