Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

Performs duties in a team concept under the direction of the Fisheries Assessment Supervisor with group leadership provided by the Operations Coordinator to provide technical support in the delivery of aquatic assessment and research programs on Lake Huron.

Duties / Responsibilities :

As a member of various project teams, assists in the delivery of field surveys by:
• Planning, implementing and assisting in the delivery of commercial catch sampling programs and arranging with commercial fishermen for on board catch sampling.
• Planning, implementing and assisting in the delivery of sport fishing surveys such as creel and aerial surveys.
• Planning, implementing and assisting in the delivery of fishery assessment surveys such as gill net, trap net, hydroacoustic, trawl, seine and electrofishing.
• Assist as crew on various large research vessels.
• Operation of smaller Great Lakes vessels which require navigational skills using GPS, radar, charts, compass etc.; certification and knowledge (local waters, currents, bottom contours, and weather conditions).
• Deciding in emergency conditions whether or not to complete an assignment and taking appropriate action
• Operating and maintaining highly technical equipment such as water quality monitoring instruments and marking equipment.
• Inventory, maintenance and repair of vessels and gear.
• Assist with the development of sampling manuals and protocols.

Performs biological examination of fish by:
• Identifying fish and other aquatic species.
• Measuring length and weight of fish, determination of sex and state of sexual maturity.
• Removing, preparing and analyzing scales, cleithra, otoliths, fin rays/spines, opercula for age determination
• Scanning, retrieval, collating and reporting of marking tags in all surveys
• Identifying and counting stomach contents, fish parasites
• Obtaining and preparing samples for DNA, fish disease or contaminant analysis
• Accurately recording and collating the data from the above

Provides limnological and lower trophic level sampling by:
• Calibrating, maintaining and operating survey gear (light meter, oxygen meter etc).
• Collecting water samples for analysis and filtering and storing samples for chlorophyll a.
• Collecting and analyzing zooplankton samples.
• Collecting, analyzing and preserving benthic samples.
• Observing and recording depth profiles of limnological data (e.g. temperature, oxygen, light, etc).
• Setting and retrieving in situ recorders and data handling from the recorders.

Carries out preliminary analysis, archiving and reporting of data by:
• Organizing, auditing and editing data forms.
• Data entry and summary of data using appropriate, standard software packages.
• Importing, organizing and formatting of data into Excel files, Access databases etc.
• Conducting selective analysis of survey data
• Preparation of technical reports (eg. Project completion reports, preliminary summaries).
• Maintaining inventory of fish diet samples.

Acts as a group leader by:
• Directing and training staff in safe operating procedures, fish sampling techniques and data handling
• Directing and coordination of subordinate staff or summer students in survey teams as senior technician present, checking completeness and accuracy of finished tasks and informing supervisor of work progress.
• Technical lead in stomach contents analysis program, including maintaining tracking system.

Provides technical editing and report assistance to assessment biologists by:
• Collaborating with biologists on survey and reporting design and implementation.
• Checking reports and data for errors and accuracy
• Designing and creating graphical representations of data for reports.

Other duties as assigned

NOTE: The incumbent shall, while in the workplace, conduct themselves in compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and any workplace practices as directed by their immediate supervisor and in accordance with IRS as outlined in the OH&S Act. The incumbent may, during field work, be designated as team lead for the field crew and have authority over team members for the purpose of the OHSA

Staffing and Licensing :

Valid Class G Driver's Licence
Marine First Aid
MED DVS training (equivalent or greater or ability to acquire)
Ability to pass Small Vessel Operators Proficiency.
Ability to pass Electrofishing certification.

Knowledge :

Knowledge of safe operation of vessels and navigation aids (generally through PCOC card)
Knowledge and expertise in the identification of fish and aquatic species
Knowledge of fishing gear design, construction and use
Knowledge of sampling procedures for aquatic surveys including limnological and lower trophic levels
Knowledge of fish habitat and population assessment techniques and equipment
General knowledge of resource management and lake unit programs and strategic goals
Practical knowledge of Microsoft software and data management concepts to support duties and responsibilities.
Practical knowledge of scientific report writing and editing and analytical skills
Good working knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and those regulations made under the act that apply to the workplace, as well as knowledge of worker responsibilities as outlined in the OH&S act.

Skills :

Team leadership skills required when directing the work of other technicians and students; Good written and oral communication skills; organizational/planning skills; aquatic species identifications skill and ability to use identification keys; time management skills; working in inclement conditions and lifting heavy awkward equipment: decision-making skills--curtail work or develop alternative strategy when concerns re safety, functionality of equipment or amount of work arise; i.e. number of samples; analytical skills; computer literacy and editing skills; tact and diplomacy in speaking to clients and the public.

Freedom of Action :

Works under the direction of the Fisheries Assessment Supervisor with group leadership provided by the Operations Coordinator on a daily basis.

Job requires working within Ministry and Government legislation, policies, guidelines, directives, and established protocols and procedures to meet overall program/task level targets.

Performs duties under limited supervision with considerable latitude for decision making to complete assigned tasks, especially where safety is concerned.