Individual Placement - Fish Biotechnician at McNary Dam

Position Summary 

McNary Dam is a major run‑of‑the‑river hydroelectric dam on the Columbia River, situated between Umatilla County, Oregon, and Benton County, Washington. Operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the dam became fully operational in 1957 and now supports hydropower generation, navigation, recreation, and extensive fish and wildlife programs.

McNary is also home to a robust Biotechnician and Juvenile Fish Program, where technicians support the monitoring, collection, and safe passage of juvenile salmonids as they migrate downstream. This work includes operating and maintaining sampling equipment, collecting biological data, assisting with fish condition assessments, and contributing to long‑term research that informs regional fish management strategies. The program is essential to balancing hydropower operations with the protection and recovery of threatened and endangered fish species.

Participants will support the project’s juvenile fish bypass operations, which include sampling juvenile salmon every other day from April 1 through September 30. The primary objective is to safely guide juvenile fish around the project while meeting all Fish Passage Plan requirements. Most responsibilities will involve conducting powerhouse fish system checks during the Monday–Friday day shift, with additional facility and fish‑related tasks assigned as needed.

 

Location 

Umatilla, OR

 

Schedule 

May 6, 2026 - October 30, 2026

 

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

Perform daily gatewell observations and complete VBS differential measurements, including trash differentials. Conduct morning and afternoon cycles of the JCC orifices, record channel conditions, and monitor brushes and the air bubbler. Purge JCC air and operate the hoist each day, and cycle any unused operational orifices weekly. Carry out VBS cleaning as needed, including running brushes, resetting orifices, and recording mortality. Assist with weekly camera inspections, check office mail and JFF aquariums daily, and help release sample raceway 9W while documenting any mortality.

Support the separator technician on sample collection days, check separator voicemail and the JFF daily, and provide lunch‑break coverage as needed. Assist with JFF maintenance, secure the JFF facility each day, and verify heating or AC settings, including in the PIT tag room. Complete daily log entries and perform other duties as assigned.

 

Marginal Duties 

Potential separator duties may be assigned, which involve monitoring the sample system for an entire shift when staff are out sick or on leave. This includes removing debris and fish, as well as recording all required data and observations.

 

Required Qualifications 

Minimum requirement of a high school diploma; valid driver’s license; basic computer skills to complete online training; ability to work in extreme weather conditions; ability to climb and navigate stairs; strong verbal and written communication skills.

 

Preferred Qualifications 

Fish identification experience 

 

Hours 

40 per week

 

Living Accommodations 

Participants are responsible for making their own local living arrangements.

 

Compensation  

Living allowance - $400/week (Paid Bi-Weekly)

Commuting Allowance - $75/week (Paid Bi-Weekly)

Housing allowance - $1000/month (5 total)

NTE $650 Duty Related Travel Reimbursement (if not local)

 

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. 

 

Personal Vehicle Information

Required

 

Additional Benefits 

Defensive Driving Training

AmeriCorps: Not Eligible

 

Equal Opportunity Statement 

The Student Conservation Association, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members and is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere where lifestyles may grow personally and professionally.

Provides environmental conservation internships and youth leadership programs.