This Marine Fisheries Technician will primarily work on the North Carolina Independent Gill Net Survey (IGNS, Program 135) for the Northern District, though may be required to work on other state and federally funded projects as well.
Primary species of interest may include but are not limited to Striped Bass, Southern Flounder, American Shad, Alewife, Blueback Herring, and Blue Crabs. Fish collected from this program will be identified to species, and may be tagged with traditional or electronic tags, or may be processed for biological data. Other duties include fisheries independent (trawl, seine) and fisheries dependent (fish house interviews) sampling, computer use and working independently and with others. Normal work hours will vary seasonally but late evening and early morning hours will be required. The technician must be able to swim, as well as be able to lift at least 50 pounds. A valid driver's license is required.
Key Responsibilities:
- Collect fish using gill nets in estuarine waters in and around the Albemarle Sound
- Obtain biological data including length, weight, diet samples, ageing structures, and the reproductive condition of crustaceans and finfish
- Process, record, compile, and verify biological data, as well as perform data quality control
- Operate and maintain outboard motors, boats, trailers, trucks, net reels, and other sampling equipment, lifting heavy cartons of fish and gear
- Use other sampling gears (trawls, pots, trammel nets, seines, electro-fisher, etc.) or collect additional biological data from fish and invertebrates
- Collection of fisheries dependent data through sampling of commercial catches at local fish houses
The Division of Marine Fisheries
The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) is responsible for the stewardship of the state’s marine and estuarine resources. The DMF’s jurisdiction encompasses all coastal waters and extends to 3 miles offshore. Agency policies are established by the nine-member Marine Fisheries Commission and the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality. North Carolina is a member of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, and the National Shellfish Sanitation Program. Click here to learn more about the Division of Marine Fisheries.
The NC Department of Environmental Quality:
The primary mission of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is to provide science-based environmental stewardship for the health and prosperity of all North Carolinians. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is the lead stewardship agency for the protection of North Carolina's environmental resources. The organization, which has offices from the mountains to the coast, administers regulatory programs designed to protect air quality, water quality, and the public's health, and works to advance in all-of-the-above energy strategy that fits North Carolina's needs. DEQ also offers technical assistance to businesses, farmers, local governments, and the public and encourages responsible behavior with respect to the environment through education programs provided at DEQ facilities and through the state's school system. DEQ touches the lives of all North Carolinians in many ways to enhance and ensure our quality of life. Please visit our website at the Department of Environmental Quality for more information.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities/Competencies
To qualify for this position, applicants must document on the application that they possess ALL the following:
- Experience with biological fish sampling
- Experience maintaining associated sampling gear and/or equipment
- Experience operating and/or trailering boats
- Experience with data management.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Associate's degree in one of the agricultural, biological, engineering, environmental or natural resource sciences or a closely related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Location: Pasquotank County, NC, Elizabeth City
Recruitment Range: $38,000–$41,600
Closing Date: October 30, 2023
