Hatchery Internship at Columbia Springs

Seasonal 2013
8-12 hours/week, start and finish dates are flexible

Position Description:
The Columbia Springs Hatchery Intern will assist with the daily operations and fish rearing of the Vancouver Trout Hatchery. One to two Interns will be placed for each season.

Duties and Responsibilities:
• Feeding: Assist and perform daily fish feeding, learning to become aware of the importance of fish size, species, density, water temperature, water condition, and the proper use of feeding techniques to insure proper dispersal of feed.
• Fish Handling: Assist with cleaning, sampling, splitting, and moving of fish.
• Recording: Assist with daily recording responsibilities, including mortalities, feed use, water flow, water temperature, fish size, and number of fish or eggs.

• Fish Planting: Assist with the transportation and planting of raised fish to local lakes.

• Grounds Maintenance: Assist with basic grounds and landscape maintenance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Hours:
• Approximately 8-12 hours/week for the season—exact start and finish dates are flexible.
• Must be available to work at least one full day a week or two days a week from 8am-noon.

The Organization:
Columbia Springs offers our community a unique setting where educational experiences foster greater awareness of the natural world, inspiring stewardship. Our educational facility is located on one hundred acres of urban natural area at the historic Vancouver Trout Hatchery. In addition to providing a wide variety of formal and informal education programs and ongoing fish rearing the site is open to the public daily. Visitors can hike on nature trails, observe birds and other wildlife, and explore the working trout hatchery. Annual average fish production at the Vancouver Trout Hatchery includes 25,000 Brown Trout, 80,000 Rainbow Trout, and 300,000 Steelhead. Nearly all fish raised at the Vancouver Trout Hatchery are planted in local land-bound lakes for sport fishing, the Steelhead are co-raised in Skamania and released into rivers.

For more information about the Vancouver Trout Hatchery operation visit: http://www.columbiasprings.org/programs/hatchery-operations/

Required skills, knowledge and abilities:

• Dependability.
• Strong work ethic.
• Ability to work independently with minimal direct supervision.
  • Ability to take direction and initiative.
• Strong interest in fishery science, natural resource management, or other natural sciences.
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather.
• Ability to lift 25 pounds.

Compensation:
This is an unpaid internship. We highly encourage you to check with your college or university about receiving credit for this internship—preference is given to local students receiving college credit for internship work.

Supervision:
The intern will work under the guidance and supervision of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Hatchery Specialists.

Work Environment:
100% in field

Safety Considerations:
This position involves working in an outdoor setting, in varied weather conditions, and on varied terrain.

To Apply: Submit Columbia Springs' online Volunteer Application, found at https://columbiasprings.wufoo.com/forms/columbia-springs-volunteer-application/. Complete application following the instructions for Internships. To strengthen your application, an optional resume may be sent to volunteer@columbiasprings.org. Open until filled.

Questions? Contact Mariah Acton at 360-882-0936 ext. 230 or volunteer@columbiasprings.org.