How to hire a fisheries technician

How to hire a fisheries technician, step by step

Here's a step-by-step fisheries technician hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a fisheries technician job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new fisheries technician
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a fisheries technician, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

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   Hiring the perfect fisheries technician also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list shows salaries for various types of fisheries technicians.

   Type of Fisheries Technician	Description	Hourly rate
   Fisheries Technician	Biological technicians help biological and medical scientists conduct laboratory tests and experiments.	$12-20
   Laboratory Internship	A laboratory intern is responsible for assisting laboratory operations and perform examinations and experiments under the supervision of tenured laboratory staff. Laboratory interns shadow all the laboratory processes, document their observations, and conduct an in-depth analysis of the results... Show more	$12-23
   Research And Development Technician	A research and development technician specializes in performing mathematical and laboratory operations to support projects concerning products and development. Usually functioning as an assistant to a more experienced researcher, a research and development technician's responsibilities revolve around conducting analysis, building models and prototypes, producing reports, and performing various experiments... Show more	$26-60

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Fish Species
   • Data Collection
   • Data Entry
   • Biological Data
   • GPS
   • Ladders
   • Boats
   • GIS
   • Trout
   • Harvest
   • Water Quality
   • Biological Samples
   • Equipment Maintenance
   • DNR

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Work closely with other project leads to make sure sampling protocols for Chinook, chum and steelhead are followed.
   • Create maps using GIS software for end of season reports.
   • Create maps using GIS software for reports and project specific needs.
   • Utilize population dynamics in estimating assemblages of cutthroat and brook trout in high mountain streams.
   • Assemble hatchery apparatuses and conduct fertilization and care for lake trout eggs including gamete collection in the field.
   • Perform biological surveys for fisheries population estimates and result reports.

   More fisheries technician duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your fisheries technician job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A fisheries technician can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, fisheries technicians' average salary in kentucky is 47% less than in new hampshire.
   • Seniority. Entry-level fisheries technicians 42% less than senior-level fisheries technicians.
   • Certifications. A fisheries technician with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a fisheries technician's salary.

   Average fisheries technician salary

   $16.09hourly

   $33,465 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level fisheries technician salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 22, 2026

   Average fisheries technician salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$36,243	$17
   2	Oregon	$35,275	$17
   3	Wisconsin	$30,781	$15
   4	Colorado	$30,113	$14
   5	South Dakota	$23,493	$11
   6	Montana	$23,295	$11

   Average fisheries technician salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	State Bar of Michigan	$38,083	$18.31
   2	Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission	$35,202	$16.92	5
   3	Colorado State Express	$35,066	$16.86
   4	City of Portland	$32,308	$15.53
   5	State Of South Dakota	$31,181	$14.99	15
   6	State Of Montana	$29,543	$14.20	5
   7	State of Colorado	$29,366	$14.12	1

4. Writing a fisheries technician job description

   A good fisheries technician job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a fisheries technician job description:

   Fisheries technician job description example

   THE OUTSIDE IS IN US ALL.
   
   This position closes at 11:59 pm on November 13, 2022. Please submit the following required documents on the State of Montana Careers website:
   
   * Cover Letter
   * Resume - Please include dates of employment and your supervisor's name/phone number for each position.
   * Supplemental Question - In one page or less, please describe how your education and work experience has prepared you for working as a senior fisheries technician in the Livingston area?
   
   Identity of applicants who become finalists may be released to the public if the Department deems it necessary. Employees who exceed 1,040 hours in a calendar year are also provided health, dental, and life insurance. Other benefits include retirement, paid vacation, sick, and holidays. This position may be covered by a VEBA (Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association).
   
   A successful applicant will be subject to a background investigation.
   
   Women and minorities are under-represented in the job category and are encouraged to apply.
   
   Special Information:
   
   This position is based out of the FWP Livingston Field Office in Livingston, Montana. Livingston is located on the banks of the Yellowstone River and is a gateway community to Yellowstone National Park, just 50 miles to the south. The city of Bozeman is located 30 miles to the west. The Yellowstone River is a defining feature, flowing through both Livingston and the surrounding area. It offers a wealth of opportunity for camping, floating, fishing, waterfowl hunting and more. Livingston is surrounded by four prominent mountain ranges. There are a wide variety of recreational opportunities such as walking/biking trails in the city, nearby skiing, fishing, and hunting opportunities, bird and wildlife watching.
   
   Work is performed in office and field settings. The incumbent serves as the lead fisheries technician. Work is completed on the Yellowstone River, the Shields River, and their tributaries. Work is also completed on Dailey Lake and surrounding mountain lakes. This position provides occasional help on other waters that are located outside of this management area in both Region 3 and Region 5.
   
   Field work will involve field research activities that require planning, prioritization, and occasionally require a change and re-organization of work schedules. Overnight travel including remote camping is occasionally required. The position is responsible for overseeing field activities including jet boat boom and drift boat mobile-anode electrofishing on large rivers, backpack electrofishing on small waters, gill netting lakes, and piloting and working from various jet, propeller and manually powered watercraft on the various waterbodies. Experience operating jet boats in low and high flow conditions is preferred.
   
   Requires lifting heavy objects and carrying up to 75 lbs. on uneven terrain or in water and must be able to carry heavy packs (50 lbs.) for several miles. The incumbent must have the ability and willingness to work in and around water in adverse and hazardous conditions, including inclement weather. Interactions with the public may include landowners, anglers, and hunters who have conflicting issues and concerns. The frequency of contacts varies depending on the activity under consideration, but some type of public contact is typically engaged in daily.
   
   Office work includes database management and data analysis, reporting writing, and lab work that may include ageing fish, stomach analysis or other fisheries and limnology studies. Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, are required as the incumbent will represent FWP in public meetings, management actions, permitting activities, and public outreach. The incumbent will frequently interact with difference agencies including the Custer Gallatin National Forest, United States Geological Survey, Montana State University, Montana DEQ, Montana DNRC, local watershed groups including the Upper Yellowstone Watershed Group and the Shields Watershed Group, angling organizations that include Trout Unlimited and Walleyes Unlimited, and a diverse public made up of private landowners, anglers, agricultural producers, recreational floaters and commercial business owners.
   
   This position often completes work assignments independently with little supervision, but also works in a team environment. Must be able to effectively train, work with, and lead other staff to complete tasks. Good organizational and time management skills are needed as well as the ability to accurately collect, record, and summarize data and identify fish to species.
   
   This position is full time, 40 hours per week with daily and seasonal variations in workload and schedule. The incumbent typically works Monday-Thursday, 10 hours/day from April through September to efficiently complete field work. Most field work will be completed during day trips, but occasional camping and backpacking trips in remote areas and hiking long distances (10 miles) will be required. The remainder of the year a Monday-Friday, 8 hour/day work schedule is typical. Incumbent must be flexible and willing to adapt to changing work demands. Compensatory time is earned after 40 hours in a week when activity is approved.
   
   Job Duties (narrative summary):
   
   This position serves as the senior-level fisheries technician for the Livingston area and in general, the duties of this job may include:
   
   * Planning and coordination with fisheries manager and biologists for survey and inventory of diverse fisheries including Yellowstone cutthroat, brown, rainbow trout, mountain whitefish, walleye, smallmouth bass, native suckers, minnows, and other native and non-native species to assess abundance, recruitment, reproductive performance, age, growth, survival/mortality, movement and behavior, as well as angler use and preferences
   * Overseeing the operation, purchasing, maintenance, repair, assembly, and testing of a variety of field equipment such as boats, outboard motors, vehicles, electrofishers, nets, and specialized fisheries survey and inventory equipment
   * Entering, summarizing, analyzing, and ensuring quality control of ecological/biological data and assist with report writing to inform management decisions
   * Completing private pond inspections
   * Supervising and training permanent and seasonal fieldworkers, interns, and volunteers in fisheries management, sampling skills, equipment operation and maintenance, laboratory techniques, and policies.
   
   Primary work areas for this position encompasses all or portions of the following river basins: Yellowstone and Shields including smaller streams and various reservoirs and ponds with occasional work in other waterbodies in both Region 3 and 5 ( e.g., Madison River, Boulder River, Stillwater River) and the high mountain lakes in the Absaroka Range, the Bridger Range, the Gallatin Range, and the Crazy Mountains.
   
   Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
   
   Required for the first day of work:
   
   Ability to develop, plan, and prioritize projects in coordination with the biologist and fish manager. Knowledge and understanding of sampling, laboratory, field operations will be required. Supervise, manage, and train staff to conduct surveys and using electronic tracking equipment is required. Knowledge of and experience with computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and data storage and analysis with statistical applications are required. Map reading skills and familiarity with map coordinate systems are required. Good organizational and time management skills are needed as well as the ability to accurately collect, record, and summarize data. Knowledge of the safe collection of blood, tissue, or other samples from fish and aquatic organisms is required. Applicants must demonstrate an ability to work with professional biologists, other research assistants and the public. Communication skills, both written and verbal, are required. Applicants must be knowledgeable and be familiar with motorboat operation, safety and be able to operate a four-wheel drive vehicle with training. The ability to work with little or no direct supervision in potentially hazardous conditions is expected.
   
   The knowledge, skills, and abilities of this position are normally attained through combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree in fish biology, fish and wildlife management, ecology, biology, and three years of progressive job-related experience or work closely related to fish and wildlife biology. Combinations of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

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5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right fisheries technician for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your fisheries technician job on Zippia to find and recruit fisheries technician candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with fisheries technician candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new fisheries technician

   Once you've found the fisheries technician candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new fisheries technician. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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