Agriculture, Fishing & Forestry

Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife

Spring Smolt Trapping Internship Description

 

Program Overview

The overall goal of the Hood Canal Intensively Monitored Watershed (IMW) project is to test the hypothesis that stream restoration measurably improves salmon habitat quality and population status. The study monitors a series of fish and habitat metrics in four independent streams in Western Washington: Little Anderson, Big Beef, Seabeck and Stavis Creeks.

 

Our study focuses on coho salmon because of their cultural and economic importance to the region, and because their life cycle, particularly the extended juvenile rearing phase, is dependent on diverse, productive freshwater habitats. In this region, coho salmon are not listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. We estimate coho salmon abundance at three distinct life stages: adults, stream rearing age-0 parr, and outmigrating age-1 smolts. We also enumerate other salmonids where they are encountered.

Position Summary

This internship position will focus on the juvenile life stage of age-1 coho smolts.  The purpose of this internship is to assist WDFW staff with checking juvenile fish traps on the Hood Canal IMW stream complex. Trap sites include three fence weirs that are located on Little Anderson, Seabeck, and Stavis Creeks and a permanent weir on Big Beef Creek. The traps are installed in late March and removed in mid-June.  Partnered with a WDFW staff member the intern will check traps daily, enumerating catch and sub-sampling catch for size.  The trap catch data enables the estimation of smolt production from each stream.  The intern will learn protocols for operation of the weir traps, freshwater fish species identification, fish sampling techniques, and proper fish handling methods.  Data collection will include abundance, length and weight measurements, documentation of physical characteristics, and scale sample collection.  The intern will be trained to apply Coded Wire Tags (CWTs) to coho smolts captured in the Big Beef Creek trap. CWT data is used in coho forecasting and estimating marine survival and harvest rates.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

·         Assist with the installation/removal, operation, and maintenance of fence weir traps on Stavis, Seabeck, Little Anderson, and Big Beef Creeks.

·         Check traps daily, recording mark and CWT tag status, enumerating and sub sampling catch for fork length and weight as assigned by supervisor.

·         Help maintain trap integrity during high flows and making repairs if damage occurs due to weather, flows, debris, or vandalism.

·         Work with supervisors to apply CWT’s to coho smolts captured in the Big Beef Creek weir.

·         Organize and maintain all sampling equipment, tagging machine, and trap check forms.

·         Record daily trap check information on trap check forms and enter data into project databases.

·         Perform other duties as deemed necessary.

Schedule and Compensation

This 3-month internship begins in mid-March 2025.  The weekly schedule will likely be 8:00am to 4:30pm, Saturday through Wednesday (Thursday and Friday off).  Alternative hours and flexible scheduling to meet the intern’s needs will be discussed on a case-by-case basis.

Requirements

·         Current valid Washington State driver’s license.

Preferred Qualities

Minimum qualifications are not established for this position; however, applicants with the following skills, knowledge, and abilities will be given preference:

·         Motivated and enthusiastic, with an interest in fisheries.

·         Ability to work independently and as a member of a crew.

·         Strong self-initiative and good attention to detail.

·         Experience with MS Word, Excel, and Access.

·         Familiarity and/or desire to learn about marine fishes of the Pacific Northwest.

·         Follows appropriate safety practices.

Physical Requirements:

This work is conducted outdoors in all weather conditions and includes wading in streams, hiking short distances over uneven terrain, carrying field equipment and/or buckets of fish weighing 40 pounds or less. Occasionally, you will be exposed to high stream flows, cold water, noise, odors, extreme temperatures. You may encounter wildlife and/or stinging insects. Other hazards of this position are repetitive lifting, hand movements, finger manipulation and long periods of being on your feet.

Training

All necessary training required to perform the essential functions/duties is provided on the job.

In addition to on-the-job training, this position may include the following formal trainings and certifications to aid in professional development and job training:

●        Basic first aid, CPR, and safety training

●        Personal Flotation Device Training

●        Temporary and permanent weir trap operation training

●        Fish identification and proper fish handling techniques training

●        Salmonid life history training

●        Use of MS-222 to anesthetize fish training

●        Native and invasive species identification training

●        Other trainings/certifications as available and desired by intern

Apply

Questions?

For more information about WDFW’s Hood Canal IMW project, contact:          

Eric Kummerow

Scientific Technician 3 | Hood Canal IMW

Fish Science Division | Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

Mobile: 564-222-1473 | Email: [email protected]

 

US Forest Service, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area

Forestry Technician

Location: Hood River, OR

Position Summary

The Forestry Technician Position is a great entry level position with the US Forest Service. This field based position provides experience in Trail Maintenance, Visitor Services, Developed Recreation Maintenance and Permit Checking/Enforcement.

Trail Work

Serves as a member of a trails maintenance team to maintain, repair, and build trails throughout the Forest Service unit to ensure protection of wildlife habitat and water quality in addition to improving recreational access to forest lands.

Builds trails using hand tools and power tools, restores impacted areas, and replaces signage as needed.

Prepares construction materials, ensures proper tool maintenance, and reports work completed.

Assists with removal of downed logs with a certified sawyer.

The work requires walking and climbing in steep, uneven terrain, exposure to adverse weather and insects, performing physical labor, bending, lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds or more, and potentially dealing with problem visitors.

Permit Checking

Assists with the yearly implementation of the permit system at the Dog Mountain Trailhead. Enforces and checks permits on location during designated timeframe. Educates visitors on additional locations and resources. Provides top notch customer service and represents the agency professionally.

Works with other staff and volunteers on site in a team oriented way.

May have to deal with angry or frustrated visitors and must handle conflict with respect and grace.

Developed Recreation

Assures recreation sites and areas with one or two major uses are operated and maintained in accordance with operation and maintenance plans. Schedules daily activities, establishes maintenance schedules. Inspects recreation areas, areas of concentrated public use, and special use permits for compliance with the permit and the management plans, public health, and safety. Performs safety hazard analyses of public recreation use areas and takes or recommends corrective action. Collects, compiles and summarizes information for recreation data management systems. Provides input for programming and planning.

Contacts recreational visitors to provide factual information and answers questions about recreation opportunities, rules, regulation, and information on resource management practices on the unit. Patrols recreation areas for compliance by day visitors and campers with established rules and regulations posted in the area. Maintains developed recreation sites as a crew member, performs routine recreation maintenance and cleanup work including repairing minor damage of recreation facilities; i.e., picnic tables, buildings, signs, fire pits, road closure gates, water systems, fire rings, barriers, dumpsters, and other miscellaneous structures. Closes areas of facilities when hazards cannot be promptly eliminated. Cleans restroom facilities as use requires, disposes of trash as needed.

Performs other duties as assigned.

If interested, please email Lily Carey at [email protected]

Organization: Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group

Location: Belfair, Washington State 

Overview: The Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group is seeking an enthusiastic Active Duty service member to serve as a Riparian Restoration Intern. This internship offers an opportunity to learn more about salmon habitat restoration techniques in the Pacific Northwest as well as to learn and develop skills in plant identification, field surveying, power tool usage, and data collection methods, specifically using ArcGIS programs, in the scenic Hood Canal region of Washington State. Interns may also have the opportunity to participate in salmon and steelhead research and field sampling procedures.

Responsibilities:

●       Planting native trees alongside stewardship staff and AmeriCorps crews using either shovels or earth auger

●       Mulching native plants, setting up on-site browse fencing, and watering seedlings

●       Chemical (herbicide), mechanical (brush cutter, chainsaw), and manual control of invasive plants

●       Collect data at field sites using ArcGIS Field Maps App

●       Survey remote streams for noxious weeds, riparian habitat conditions and monitor past restoration sites

●       Hiking through uneven terrain and thick brush in extreme weather ie. hot, humid, wet and cold

●       Cleaning/maintaining field equipment on a regular basis

Qualifications:

●       Must have a valid driver’s license.

●       Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

●       Strong attention to detail.

●       Physically able to navigate rough terrain at a relatively rapid pace

●       Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds.

●       Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

●      In possession of or working towards an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resources, Biology, or other related subjects.

●      Some familiarity with native plant identification

●      Some field work experience

●      Ability to drive vehicles in all road/weather conditions

Application Process: Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter detailing their qualifications and interest in the internship position. Please also include any relevant experience or coursework related to the environmental sciences.

Deadline for Application: We are accepting applications on a rolling-basis until filled. 

Contact Information: For inquiries or to submit application materials, please contact [email protected]

Learn More: For more information about the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group, please visit our website at https://www.pnwsalmoncenter.org/

This internship offers a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience in habitat restoration and wildlife biology. Join us in researching and conserving the aquatic ecosystems of the Hood Canal!

Organization: Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group

Location: Belfair, Washington State 

Overview: The Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group is seeking an enthusiastic Active Duty service member to serve as a Sustainable Farm Education Intern. This internship offers an opportunity to learn more about sustainable agriculture, organic farming, livestock care, and crop production.

Responsibilities:

●       Planting, weeding, seeding, and harvesting vegetables and flowers

●       Marketing and selling produce at the Salmon Center’s U-Pick Garden and CSA

●       Assisting with record keeping of farm documents

●       Assisting in the care of alpacas, chickens, ducks, rabbits, sheep and goats; and honeybees

●       Assisting with children’s farm programs, including field trips, farm tours, day camps, and classes

●       Assisting with maintenance and construction of farm structures

●       Assisting with supervision of volunteers

Qualifications:

●       Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

●       Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

●       Strong attention to detail.

●       Ability to work outdoors in a physically demanding environment in all weather conditions.

●       Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds.

●       Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

●      Experience working in gardens, farms, and/or with livestock.

●      Experience working outdoors.

●      Demonstrated interest in agriculture and/or sustainability.

Application Process: Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter detailing their qualifications and interest in the internship position. Please also include any relevant experience or coursework related to the environmental sciences, agriculture, and/or animal science.

Deadline for Application: We are accepting applications on a rolling-basis until filled. 

Contact Information: For inquiries or to submit application materials, please contact [email protected]

Learn More: For more information about the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group, please visit our website at https://www.pnwsalmoncenter.org/

Organization: Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group

Location: Belfair, Washington State 

Overview: The Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group is seeking an enthusiastic Active Duty service member to serve as a Salmon and Steelhead Research Intern. This internship offers an opportunity to learn more about salmon and trout species of the Pacific Northwest as well as to learn and develop skills in field sampling, surveying, and data collection methods in the scenic Hood Canal region of Washington State.

Responsibilities:

-Install and operate juvenile rotary screw traps and adult weir traps to capture, enumerate, and sample salmon and trout.
-Conduct surveys for summer and fall chum carcasses on three tributaries.
-Identify salmon, trout, and other freshwater fish by species and sex during their juvenile and adult life-stages.
-Collect biological samples and data from live and deceased fish.
-Perform mark and recapture trials to enumerate out-migrating juvenile salmonid.
-Train volunteers on fish identification and sampling during trap operations.
-Assist with nutrient enhancement and remote stream incubation activities.

Qualifications:

-Must have a valid driver’s license.
-Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
-Strong attention to detail.
-Physically able to navigate rivers and streams as well as conduct trap checks in all weather conditions.
-Ability to lift and carry up to 40 pounds.
-Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

Preferred Qualifications

-In possession of or working towards an undergraduate degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resources, Biology, or other related subjects.

-Experience working in moving bodies of water or from floating platforms.

-Experience handling and identifying live fish (can be professional or recreational experience).

-Ability to drive vehicles in all road/weather conditions, possibly while hauling or towing heavy loads.

 

Application Process: Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter detailing their qualifications and interest in the internship position. Please also include any relevant experience or coursework related to the environmental sciences.

Deadline for Application: We are accepting applications on a rolling-basis until filled. 

Contact Information: For inquiries or to submit application materials, please contact [email protected]

Learn More: For more information about the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group, please visit our website at https://www.pnwsalmoncenter.org/

This internship offers a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience in fish and wildlife biology. Join us in researching and conserving the aquatic ecosystems of the Hood Canal!

Organization: Washington Fish and Wildlife

Location: Bingham Creek Hatchery, Elma,WA

Responsibilities: 

Checking Bingham Creek weir; identifying, sampling and enumerating salmon before passing them upstream.
Observing, counting, and accurately identifying all salmon species (Coho, Chinook, Chum) and by sex and age.
Scanning Coho for CWT (coded-wire tags) and sampling CWT snouts.
Scanning and recording Steelhead for PIT tag (Passive Integrated Transponder).
Collecting scale samples from wild Coho and Steelhead.
Sacrificing and recording number of hatchery fish by sex and species. 
Accurately record data on datasheets and scale cards. 

The Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group is one of 12 original Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups, or RFEGs, created by the Washington State Legislature in 1990. There are now 14 RFEGs across Washington state. The RFEGs were created to be active partners in assisting Washington State in salmon recovery efforts, supported by community volunteers. The RFEGs were tasked with supplementing fish populations, restoring salmon habitat, and developing salmon-related education programs. The Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group was granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation status in November 1990.

We create educational programming, conduct research, and demonstrate sustainable agricultural practices at the edge of salmon habitat.

We offer or conduct: dozens of educational opportunities every year to the general public and K-12 school children; on-site programs and projects like 4-H, a certified organic garden and farm; salmon habitat restoration projects up and down the watersheds of Hood Canal; a vibrant salmon and steelhead restoration program, currently active in the Union, Dewatto, Little Quilcene and Tahuya Rivers; a knotweed control program on several river systems; and hundreds of volunteer opportunities.

Wild salmon are unique and their life history encompasses forests, estuaries, and open marine environments. The journey of the wild salmon from the forest to the ocean is not one way, however. In an extraordinary life strategy, adult wild salmon typically return to the forest watersheds where they were hatched two to five years after swimming to and living in the ocean. The return of wild salmon to their natal watersheds is key to the functional health of the environment.

The story of the wild salmon can be told through the eyes of a stream bug, forest bird, heron, eagle, seal, orca, or person. The story from each is important; but without the wild salmon there is no story.

Geostabilization International Technicians are the backbone of our company and do work that saves lives while protecting infrastructure. Working across the U.S. and Canada, our technicians operate under intensive

conditions preventing landslides, remediating rockfalls, and repairing foundations and bridges. They enjoy

working outside on challenging projects in an environment that is constantly changing. This is a career

opportunity with excellent earning potential and upward growth opportunities for the right person.

 

As a GSI intern, you will travel the U.S. working on our various soil stabilization, grouting, or foundation

projects. GSI will pay for your travel, hotel accommodations and meals.

 

**THERE IS ZERO OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES FOR THIS INTERNSHIP**

 

Your role? Work safe, work hard, and help produce the highest quality product for our clients.

 

Pre-Reqs:

Be on Active Duty and within 180 days of separation as of internship start date

Comfortable with heights

A clean Motor Vehicle Driving Record

Ability to travel 3-4 weeks at a time (During Internship and Employment)

Ability to get along with diverse groups of people

Reliability and strong work ethic

Any prior experience with grouting, construction,

Repair landslides

Build and repair bridges

Heavy equipment operating

Work together in a team environment

Work with concrete applications

Exemplify Geostabilization’ s Values at all times

ALL MILITARY SPECIALTIES WELCOME! WE WILL TRAIN THE RIGHT PERSON!

 

Upon internship approval, complete a one-week orientation in Williamstown, KY. From there, you

will be assigned a crew for the eleven-week program.

 

Upon successful internship completion, you can join the Geostabilization family with potential to

Flexibility to live wherever you choose in the U.S.