Internship - Sport Fishery Biological Technicians

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Position Summary

The Great Lakes Mass Marking Program, headquartered at the Green Bay Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, provides coded-wire tagging of hatchery fish, tag and data recovery from returning fish and their wild counterparts, and analytical support to states and tribes managing valuable sport and treaty fisheries for Pacific salmon and lake trout on the Great Lakes. These positions will support data and tag recovery efforts to measure the movement, growth, post-release survival, return to sport fisheries, and wild production of salmon and trout in lakes Michigan and Huron. Technicians will assist U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service biologists and technicians with recovery of data and code-wire tags from lake trout, brown trout and Pacific salmon by interfacing with anglers, and will assist with tagging fish in state and federal hatcheries. Potential duty stations include: New Franken, WI; Milwaukee, WI; Michigan City, IN; Charlevoix, MI; and Alpena, MI.

Schedule

May 12, 2025 - December 19, 2025

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Collect and record biological data, and collect samples (scales, bones, stomachs, tags, tissues) from angler-caught fish at boat landings and tournaments in cooperation with state technicians, creel clerks and biologists (55%); Assist biologists with tagging fish in automated tagging trailers for large cooperative studies with state and tribal partners (15%); Conduct laboratory work to remove and examine tags from fish, and to prepare scales and bones for age estimation (25%); Enter and proof field and lab data, conduct other routine laboratory work, and conduct summary data analysis commensurate with the interns skill set (10%).

Marginal Duties

  • All work is conducted under the supervision of biologists or senior technicians.
  • Routine travel will be required and paid for by the Service.
  • Assist with other field work conducted by different branches in our office as needed and directed.

Required Qualifications

Working on weekends is mandatory in this position. Tours of duty will routinely include weekends (Thursday – Sunday) during the open water fishing season from April-September. A valid driver's license, personal credit card, and personal vehicle are required. This position will include overnight travel. Travel expenses and meals incurred while on travel will be reimbursed by the Service with receipts provided by the intern. Duty travel will depend on the internship location and will range from 4 – 10 work weeks. All other training and equipment are provided.

This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred background in biology, environmental science, fisheries, or natural resources. People skills and ability to interact with anglers and the general public. Preferred to have enthusiasm for working in fisheries.

Hours

40 per week

Living Accommodations

Living accommodations will be the responsibility of the selected candidates.

Compensation

  • Living Allowance of $665/week
  • To/From Travel Allowance of $1,100, paid once with first paycheck
  • Health Insurance option.

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.

Personal Vehicle Information

Required

Additional Benefits

Defensive Drive Training

AmeriCorps: Eligible/Optional

Equal Opportunity Statement

SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members. SCA is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere in which people of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles may grow personally and professionally. The Student Conservation Association, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.