Fisheries Seasonal Worker/Internship



Fisheries Seasonal Worker/Internship

Salary

$14.00 - $15.00 Hourly

Location

State of Iowa - See Job Description, IA

Job Type

Temporary

Job Number

24-01992

Agency

542 Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Opening Date

12/12/2023

Closing Date

2/10/2024 11:59 PM Central

LinkedIn Tag

#LI-DNP

Point of Contact

Kim Bogenschutz at 515-290-0540 or Kim.Bogenschutz@dnr.iowa.gov

To Apply

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources encourages all applicants to upload a resume and cover letter to the online application.

Job Description

Learn about careers in Fisheries while working alongside biologists and technicians with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Seasonal Fisheries Aides in the Fisheries Bureau perform a variety of duties related to fisheries research, management, culture, or invasive species. Successful candidates for these positions may be required to work weekends, holidays, nights, and evenings, but exact schedules will vary by location. Most positions require being outdoors in all types of weather and may require travel overnight. This position announcement covers all openings across the state of Iowa. A single application will be used for any desired positions and locations, which will be determined during the interview process.
 
Housing is not provided at any location statewide.
 

These are full-time positions (i.e., 40 hours/week), but the dates of employment vary with each position. Three-month positions typically run from mid-May through mid-August, depending upon college semester dates. Six-month positions start at the beginning of April and end the middle of October.

Depending upon availability, positions may be open in any or all of the following sections:
 
AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES: 
Watercraft Inspector-Statewide (entry level, 3 month positions): Conduct watercraft inspections and interviews collecting data from boaters on their knowledge of aquatic invasive species.Conduct surveys at access points for early detection of aquatic invasive species. Positions are located within fisheries management stations throughout Iowa. The surveys are conducted using electronic data entry. Limited opportunities will also be available to assist fisheries biologists and technicians in management and research projects. Applicants must be able to work independently or with a team without close supervision.
 
AIS Survey Crew & Aquatic Vegetation Survey Crew-Boone and Clear Lake (intermediate experience, 6 and 3 month positions): Assist with summer field work in the area of aquatic invasive species management. The main duty of these positions is to conduct aquatic vegetation, zebra mussel, and Asian carp surveys in lakes and rivers across the state of Iowa. Additional duties include watercraft inspections, maintaining boat, motor, and sampling equipment in working order, and entering survey data. Extensive travel across the state of Iowa is required. Applicants must be able to work independently or with a team without close supervision.
 
FISHERIES RESEARCH:
Creel Clerk  (entry level,  6 month positions-statewide)
Creel surveys help gather fisheries information such as trends within fisheries or are conducted for research projects. Staff interview anglers about species caught, weigh and measure fish, and collect other structures from the fish harvested. Applicants must be able to work independently or with a team without close supervision.
 
Research Field Crew (intermediate experience, 3 month positions and advanced experience, 6 month positions-statewide)
Assist a biologist and/or technician in collecting information about special projects dealing with Iowa’s fish populations and waters, which may include collecting and analyzing water quality data, performing fish population evaluations using a variety of gear types including fyke nets, gill nets, and electroshocking equipment, or working in a laboratory environment observing and monitoring experiments. Staff may be required to enter and analyze data using computer software, answer questions and interact with the public, and operate outboard motors using safe boating practices.
 
FISHERIES MANAGEMENT: (advanced experience, 3 and 6 month positions-statewide) Assist a biologist and/or technician with the duties of managing lakes, rivers and streams within a multiple-county district, which includes conducting population surveys using a variety of gear including fyke nets, hoop nets, electroshocking, gill nets, trawls, and seines. Duties may also include stocking of hatchery fish into desired waters, conducting fishing clinics, entering data and operating boats. Travel may be statewide as well as within the confines of the assigned district.
 
Long Term River Monitoring: (intermediate and advanced experience; 2, 3, and 6 month positions-Bellevue)
Assist biologist and technicians with fisheries, water quality, and aquatic vegetation sampling on Pool 13 of the Mississippi River.  Fisheries sampling includes setting, retrieving, and repairing fyke, mini-fyke, and hoop nets; electrofishing, trawling, and identifying, measuring, and weighing fish. Aquatic vegetation sampling includes identification of local species of aquatic and terrestrial vegetation.. Water quality sampling includes performing regular equipment maintenance and calibration, preparation of water quality sample bottles, and operation of filtration equipment. Additional tasks include data entry into electronic data capture applications on field laptops and performing building and grounds maintenance/upkeep. Staff may periodically assist the Mississippi River Research Team with their annual sampling efforts when needed. Applicants must be able to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
 
FISH CULTURE: (intermediate advanced experience, 3 and 6 month positions) Assist a biologist and/or technicians in the daily care and rearing of a variety of fish species that will be stocked into Iowa’s waters. Duties can include spawning of adult fish, feeding, measuring growth, observing behavior of juvenile fish, daily cleaning of rearing units, collecting forage for use as fish food, and entering daily data into spreadsheets that calculate growth and adjust feed amounts. Staff may assist with harvest and distribution of species, answer questions and give tours to the public as needed, and assist with collecting fish for aquarium displays.
 
More information on seasonal fisheries positions with the Iowa DNR can be found on our website https://www.iowadnr.gov/About-DNR/employment

Qualifications 
Must have an interest in learning about fisheries careers in Iowa and gaining new skills.
Must have a valid motor vehicle operator’s license
Must be a minimum of 18 years of age
Able to work alone, with the public, in all conditions, on weekends, holidays, nights, and evenings as required.  
Able to withstand physically demanding work, including lifting, bending, or hauling
Follow policy and cooperate with supervisors and co-workers
 
Locations

The following are POSSIBLE locations of employment for 2024.
 
Elkader (Clayton County)
Decorah (Winneshiek County)
Manchester (Delaware County)
Bellevue (Jackson County)
Gutenberg (Clayton County)
Solon (Johnson County)
Brighton (Washington County)
Fairport (Muscatine County)
Centerville (Appanoose County)
Boone/Ames area (Boone/Story counties)
Des Moines (Polk County)
Mount Ayr (Ringgold County)
Lewis (Cass County)
Lake View (Sac County)
Clear Lake (Cerro Gordo County)
Spirit Lake (Dickinson County)
Chariton (Lucas County)
 
Housing is not provided at any location. During the application process, you will be asked to select the locations where you are willing and available to work. You can select as many locations as you want. If you are willing and able to work in multiple locations, you are more likely to get a position offered to you.
 
To Apply 
 
Interested applicants must apply using the State of Iowa Career website by 11:59 p.m. on January 10, 2024.

Visit Job Openings on the State of Iowa Career pages. https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/iowa

  • Filter for Agency – 542 Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
  • Select Fisheries Seasonal Worker.
  • Click the green Apply box at top.
  • In order to apply for State of Iowa positions, you will need to create or log in to your NEOGOV account by clicking on the SIGN IN link at the top right of the career pages.
Additional help on applying for jobs can be found on the Iowa Department of Administrative Services website at https://das.iowa.gov/human-resources/state-employment/application-process-faqs

For more information about these positions, contact Kim Bogenschutz at 515-290-0540 or Kim.Bogenschutz@dnr.iowa.gov
 
For more information about DNR Employment Opportunities and position specific notices, please visit the DNR Employment website.
 
The State of Iowa is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
 
Iowa DNR Mission:
To conserve and enhance our natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organizations to improve the quality of life in Iowa and ensure a legacy for future generations.

These are non-merit positions with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.  Candidates must follow the instructions in the "To Apply" section.

Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

No specific education or experience is required. 

01
After reviewing the list of essential functions for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources position you are applying for, please answer the following question: Based on the list of essential functions listed within the job announcement, are you able to perform the essential functions of this position, with or without a reasonable accommodation?
  • Yes
  • No
02
Please select your highest level of education:
  • Still in high school
  • High school diploma or GED
  • Some college courses
  • Associate degree
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Graduate degree
03
Do you have or are you pursuing post secondary education in the degree area of natural resources, biology, environmental science or a similar field?
  • Yes
  • No
04
Do you possess or can you obtain a valid driver's license?
  • Yes
  • No
05
(Housing not provided at any location in 2024) Potential Duty Stations: Listed below Indicate/check only those locations you are willing and available to work. You may select multiple locations.
  • Elkader (Clayton County)
  • Decorah (Winneshiek County)
  • Manchester (Delaware County)
  • Bellevue (Jackson County)
  • Gutenberg (Clayton County)
  • Solon (Johnson County)
  • Brighton (Washington County)
  • Fairport (Muscatine County)
  • Centerville (Appanoose County)
  • Boone/Ames area (Boone/Story counties)
  • Des Moines (Polk County)
  • Mount Ayr (Ringgold County)
  • Lewis (Cass)
  • Lake View (Sac County)
  • Clear Lake (Cerro Gordo County)
  • Spirit Lake (Dickinson County)
06
AVAILABILITY: 1) Provide the first day you could be available to work for the Iowa DNR: 2) List any commitments or anticipated absences from work during the coming summer: 3) Provide your anticipated last day available to work for the Iowa DNR:
07
How many months have you worked fisheries related positions either with the Iowa DNR, graduate school assistance, or other states?

Required Question

Agency
State of Iowa
Agency
542 Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Address
6200 Park Ave
STE 200
Des Moines, Iowa, 50321