Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians · Michigan · posted today
Job Title: Research Technician Department: Natural Resource Department Reports To: Hatchery Manager Salary Range: $17.64 to $28.67 per hour ($36,691.20 to $59,663.60) Annually Status: Non-Exempt Level: G2 Terms: Seasonal Position November 2026 – April 2027 Opens: October 05, 2026 Closes: Until Filled SUMMARY: The Research Technician conducts applied research and daily aquaculture operations at the LTBB Fisheries Enhancement Facility. Operating under the direction of the Hatchery Manager, this position will perform routine fish care, biosecurity, water quality monitoring, field sampling, and site maintenance. This role requires flexibility to work some nights and weekends, particularly during peak fall and spring seasonal field and hatchery operations. This is a deeply rewarding opportunity for an early-career professional looking to make a direct, hands-on impact on Great Lakes fisheries restoration, applied research, and tribal natural resource management. The exclusive purpose of this position is to work in Whitefish and Whitefish related restoration activities, supported by the Great Lakes Fisheries Trust Directed Lake Whitefish Funding Initiative. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Hatchery Operations & Fish Culture • Daily Fish Culture: Perform daily fish care across all in-house developmental stages—including feeding, tank cleaning, growth tracking, and monitoring behavior, health, and fry/fingerling development. • Water Quality & Monitoring: Monitor critical environmental and water quality parameters (dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature) to maintain optimal rearing conditions. • Fish Health & Biosecurity: Support facility health-testing logistics while maintaining strict biosecurity protocols across holding tanks, trucks, nets, field gear, and work areas. Fieldwork & Sampling • Field Assessments & Egg Take: Assist with wild fish collection, fisheries assessments, and field gamete collection using diverse sampling gear (gill nets, seines, fyke/trap nets, electroshocking). • Stocking Logistics: Support fish stocking operations, including loading, transporting, and releasing fish at designated sites. • Field Gear & Instrumentation: Safely operate, calibrate, and care for field equipment, monitoring tools, and sampling gear (GPS, field meters, radios, power tools). Facility Maintenance & Operations • Systems Maintenance & Repair: Perform routine maintenance and basic mechanical, electrical, and plumbing repairs on facility equipment, structures, and systems. • Groundskeeping & Site Upkeep: Assist with general facility groundskeeping and overall site maintenance. • Vehicle & Trailer Operations: Safely operate department vehicles and haul large trailers (i.e. ~26’ boats, stocking trailers, mobile laboratories, streamside units). Additional Responsibilities • Administrative Support: Assist the Hatchery Manager with preparing operational reports and presentations. • Research & Project Support: Assist the Hatchery Manager in executing facility research projects related to Whitefish and processing biological samples. • Data Systems & Record Keeping: Maintain accurate research logs and utilize specialized software (ArcGIS, R, QGIS, QCapture, MS Office, Access) to input data, map locations, and manage records during daily duties. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Minimum Requirements (Required) • Education: Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university in fisheries, aquatic science, hatchery management, or a closely related field. Preferred Qualifications • Education: Bachelor’s Degree (B.A. or B.S.) in fisheries, aquatic science, hatchery management, or a related field (with significant course concentration in aquatic sciences). • Experience: At least one (1) year (or seasonal equivalent) of practical experience in fisheries, aquatic systems, or hatchery operations. This includes full-time or seasonal employment, or structured technician internships. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Required Qualifications • Technical & Resource Knowledge: Working knowledge of Great Lakes fisheries, natural resource management, and aquaculture—including the rearing of warm- and cold-water fish species (specifically salmonids, percids, and lake sturgeon) and Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS). • Software & Data Proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency with spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel), and databases (Microsoft Access) • Operations & Mechanical: Proven experience operating and trailering boats, along with strong mechanical troubleshooting skills (including plumbing and electrical systems). • Problem Solving & Adaptability: Ability to troubleshoot basic mechanical and biological challenges under routine supervision, as well as effective collaboration within a team. • Communication: Excel in a team-oriented environment. • Field & Lab Experience: Hands-on experience with fish collection and handling, sanitary protocols, and laboratory procedures. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: • Mobility & Posture: Regularly required to stand, walk, reach, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl when working around rearing units, raceways, and field gear. • Aquatic Activities: Must be able to balance, climb, and swim safely in/on or near water, docks, and boats. • Lifting & Moving Requirements: • Frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. • Occasionally lift and/or move loads exceeding 50 pounds using team lifts or mechanical assistance. • Driving Conditions: Must possess the physical capability to drive and operate vehicles/vessels safely at night and under low-light conditions. WORK ENVIRONMENT: • Environmental Exposure: Frequently exposed to wet, cold, and humid conditions, both indoors (hatchery floor) and outdoors during all four (4) seasons. • Field Conditions: Work occurs on uneven surfaces, concrete floors, docks, vessels, and in/near bodies of water. • Mechanical & Operational Hazards: Regular proximity to moving mechanical parts, power tools, and specialized aquaculture equipment. • Travel & Schedules: Occasional overnight travel and extended field duties in remote locations or during harsh weather conditions. ON-CALL REQUIREMENTS: • On-Call Compensation: On-call shifts and active emergency response hours will be compensated in accordance with LTBB Tribal Employment Policies and Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) guidelines. • Residency Requirement: To ensure facility safety and rapid response to biological or mechanical emergencies, the selected candidate must reside within a 25-minute travel radius of the hatchery (or relocate within this radius upon hire). • On-Call Rotation: The technician will participate in a scheduled on-call rotation as coordinated by the Hatchery Manager. Must arrive at the facility within 25 minutes of notification to address active emergencies. Must acknowledge all automated hatchery alarms or emergency calls within 15 minutes of receipt. • On-Call Radius: While on call, the technician must remain within the 25-minute response radius, stay fit for duty, and maintain immediate phone/alarm availability. • On-Call Autonomy: Independently manage, troubleshoot, and resolve facility emergencies during on-call shifts. Exercise sound judgment to resolve issues autonomously and minimize off-hours escalation to the Hatchery Manager or off-duty staff. CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Must have a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and be insurable by LTBB’s carrier for duration of employment. Position is contingent upon completing and passing a comprehensive background check. Must have a good work history with LTBB, if previously employed by the Tribe. INDIAN PREFERENCE AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY: In accordance with Waganakising Odawak Statute 2002-04 (Indian Preference in Tribal Employment) and LTBB Tribal Policy, hiring preference will be granted to qualified applicants in the following order: • Citizens of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (LTBB) • Citizens of other federally recognized North American Indian Tribes (FRNAI) Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications, experience, background, abilities, and education specified for the position to be deemed qualified. Except as provided by tribal law regarding Indian Preference, all employment decisions will be made without regard to religion, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, age, sex, height, weight, familial status, marital status, disability, perceived disability, or sexual orientation (pursuant to WOS 2008-011 Fair Employment).
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