JOB TITLE: Conservation Technician I (8 month full time temporary position) 

AGENCY: NC Wildlife Resources Commission 

DIVISION/SECTION: Inland Fisheries/Aquatic Wildlife Diversity

SALARY: $15.00 per hour minimum. Additional salary will be based on education and experience

APPOINTMENT TYPE: Full time; Temporary. 40 hrs/week, April 1 - November 28, 2025. Start and end dates may be flexible.

WORK LOCATION: Sykes Depot Mebane, NC

APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 9, 2025 by 11:59 PM Eastern

Description of Work

The NC Wildlife Resources Commission’s Aquatic Wildlife Diversity Program is responsible for conducting conservation-focused research, population monitoring and management of non-game fishes, mollusks and crustaceans and their habitats. This position supports Eastern Region Biologists with surveying and monitoring populations of rare and federal/state listed freshwater species in the region. Responsibilities include field sampling (70%), equipment maintenance (10%), aquaculture (10%), data entry (5%), and lab work (5%). The work area will be the Chowan, Neuse, Tar-Pamlico and Roanoke River basins in North Carolina. Examples of field work include canoeing/kayaking and snorkeling in rivers for freshwater mussels and fish; backpack/boat electrofishing for fish and crayfish; seine netting and water quality monitoring. Preferred start date is April 1, 2025 and the end date is November 28, 2025. Work hours are irregular due to travel and the unpredictable nature of fieldwork. Occasional work weeks in excess of 40 hours and overnight stays up to 3 nights are possible.

The duty station will be in Alamance County at Sykes Depot in Mebane. Housing is not provided. Social Security, state, and federal income taxes will be deducted by the Wildlife Resources Commission. All necessary equipment will be provided. Lodging and meals will be reimbursed when overnight stays are required.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

An associate degree in wildlife/fisheries management or environmental sciences and two years of experience which has included the management of wildlife or fisheries resources; and/or a four year/bachelor’s degree in wildlife/fisheries management or environmental sciences. A valid driver’s license.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• General knowledge of biology and zoology
• Basic knowledge of aquatic fauna
• Ability to maintain and operate equipment used in field sampling
• Familiarity with electronics and software (GPS, GIS, Excel, Word, email)
• Ability to swim

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force continually to move objects.
• Employee is subject to both environmental conditions: Activities occur inside and outside.
• Employee is subject to extreme cold: Occasional outside temperatures below 40 degrees F and water temperatures below 55 degrees F for periods of more than one hour. Consideration should be given to the effect of other environmental conditions such as air temperature, wind and humidity.
• Employee is subject to extreme heat: Temperatures above 90 degrees F for periods of more than one hour. Consideration should be given to the effect of other environmental conditions such as wind and humidity.
• Employee may be exposed to zoonotic diseases including tick-borne illnesses.

Preferences

Preference will be given to applicants with a working knowledge of freshwater mussel, crayfish, and/or fish ecology, identification, and survey methods, strong swimming, canoeing, and boating skills, experience in snorkeling and/or SCUBA diving. Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others, ability to work independently, and possess strong organizational skills.