Tribal Fish Technician (Nanwalek Salmon Enhancement Program)

Location: Nanwalek, Alaska

Reports To: Tribal Fish Biologist & may receive work direction, priorities, or technical guidance from the Community Catalyst

Status: Non-Exempt

Anticipated Work Season: May 18th - Sept 25th; 37.5 hours per week

Job Announcement: CRRC
is searching for a Nanwalek Salmon Enhancement Program Technician to assist CRRC and the Nanwalek IRA Council in managing and implementing the Nanwalek Sockeye Salmon floating weir and to monitor eelgrass and juvenile fish in the Nanwalek lagoon. 

The Organization: Chugach Regional Resources Commission (CRRC) is a nonprofit intertribal fish and wildlife commission established to address environmental and natural resources issues of concern to its seven member Tribes, located in the Chugach Region of southcentral Alaska. These include Tatitlek Village IRA Council, Native Village of Eyak (Cordova), Port Graham Village Council, Nanwalek IRA Council, Chenega IRA Council, Qutekcak Native Tribe (Seward), and Valdez Native Tribe.

Position Description: The Tribal Fish Technician is responsible for performing assigned activities, providing labor, logistical support, and data collection, and maintaining field‑level responsibility for ensuring activities progress as planned. The two primary objectives for the Tribal Fish Technician to complete during the summer of 2026 are i) manage operations of the floating weir to count and sample sockeye salmon escapement in English Bay Lakes ii) support the data collection and monitoring of eelgrass in Nanwalek’s lagoon to support healthy juvenile fish habitat.  

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Perform field crew duties and daily project activities, ensuring schedules and objectives are met.


2. Manage floating weir operations to monitor sockeye salmon escapement with i) mobilize and demobilize floating weir, ii) collect age, sex, length (ASL) samples daily, iii) count fish early AM and late evening, iv) clean weir and ensure fish passage.


3. Support eelgrass monitoring in Nanwalek’s lagoon to assess juvenile fish habitat with i) collecting water quality samples, ii) netting the lagoon for juvenile fish and accurately identifying them, iii) managing water temperature loggers to ensure accurate data collection.


4. Report daily the floating weir status, and daily fish counts to the Tribal Fish Biologist and/or Community Catalyst.


5. Meet weekly via virtual meetings and participate in in‑person, on‑site visits conducted by the manager, supporting assessments and project activities as needed


6. Maintain accurate data records on paper data sheets and input data on google sheets and post daily fish counts at general store to ensure Nanwalek community members, CRRC, and ADF&G have daily salmon counts from the weir.


7. Coordinate with ADF&G and CRRC to support salmon stream surveys for habitat assessments in Nanwalek and Port Graham.


8. Coordinate with CRRC to support game camera maintenance in August and September.


9. Coordinate with CRRC to support Dogfish Bay trail crew when fish counts are slow.


10. Maintain knowledge and proper care of project procedures, supplies, and equipment.


11. Perform routine duties, field maintenance, and other tasks as assigned.

Educational & Experience Requirements:

• A High School diploma or equivalent


• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a related fisheries or natural resources field
  

Skills and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of new and innovative salmon weir techniques, material, and equipment.


• Working knowledge of digital data entry.

• Demonstrate strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills with minimal oversight.

• Ability to learn how to identify adult and juvenile fish.


• Ability to manage time efficiently, prioritize tasks, effectively work under tight deadlines.


• Ability to work independently or as a team member with multiple tasks at hand and with set timeframes.


• High attention to detail with ability to demonstrate sound judgment.


• Self-driven and flexible to change.


• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communications skills (in person and virtually).


• Ability to lift 50 LBS and be comfortable wading through rivers.


• Ability to provide own transportation to job site: Nanwalek weir cabin.

Individual is expected to embrace, support, and promote the core values of respect, integrity, trust, compassion, and quality which align with CRRC’s Mission and Vision through their actions and interactions with all staff, and partners.

THE CHUGACH REGIONAL RESOURCES COMMISSION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. PREFERENCE IS EXTENDED TO QUALIFIED AMERICAN INDIAN INDIVIDUALS FOR APPOINTMENTS TO ALL POSITIONS ON THE STAFF OF THE CHUGACH REGIONAL RESOURCES COMMISSION (Public Law 93-638 Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, Indian Preference Act, and the Indian Civil Rights Act, 1968 apply). Preference will be given to a Native from the Chugach Region or person who is knowledgeable of the region’s language, culture, and language.