Sustainable fisheries management, field work

Position: Assistant Fisheries Technician
Organization: Pacific Salmon Commission
Location: Matsqui, near Mission & Abbotsford BC

The Pacific Salmon Commission (PSC), an international organization responsible for transboundary salmon fisheries management in Canada and the United States, is seeking multiple Assistant Fisheries Technician(s) for seasonal contract positions.

The PSC is offering four (4) positions that will begin the third week of June and continue until the end of upstream sockeye salmon migration (approximately end of September/early October).

Based at the Mission Hydroacoustic field site in Matsqui Regional Park, Abbotsford, BC, the Assistant Fisheries Technician(s) will assist in deploying, monitoring, and processing hydroacoustic data to monitor the upstream passage of Fraser River sockeye salmon.

In addition to gaining experience in fisheries hydroacoustics, small vessel operation, and hands-on salmon mortality sampling, successful applicants will be contributing towards the assessment of sockeye salmon populations for fisheries management as part of an international fisheries agency. This position is an excellent opportunity for applicants looking to gain more experience in the Pacific Salmon management process.

Duties and Responsibilities

- Work task assignment (approx.): 75% computer; 25% field work
Work Task Assignment - % Allocation

• Processing hydroacoustic data to count fish passage through the lower Fraser River 65%
• Assisting with the deployment and monitoring of hydroacoustic equipment and setting up and maintaining the field site at Mission 20%
• Monitoring data collection and performing backups using Microsoft Windows software 10%
• Operating a boat on the Fraser River (approximate length: 18ft) 5%

Minimum Qualifications:

• Experience using Microsoft Excel and Windows operating systems
• Experience and/or willingness to learn proper boat operation of a motorized boat in a riverine environment
• Ability to work a set shift schedule, including night shifts (shifts may include weekends and/or overtime) for the entire contract period
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time enumerating data and working on computers
• Ability to perform some heavy lifting and field work tasks
• Ability to work as part of a team and communicate effectively with team members
• Comfortable working independently at a field site
• Possession of a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) (Can be acquired in 1-day at https://www.boaterexam.com/canada/)
• Valid driver’s license and access to transportation to/from the field site in Matsqui Trail Regional Park, Abbotsford, BC (public transit to the field site is not available)

Advantages:

• Completion of a one-day first aid course
• Experience with setting up and operating a field site
• Include detailed examples of tasks completed, such as heavy lifting, type of weather, experience with tools, working independently or as a team, etc.
• Experience operating a vessel and working in a riverine environment
• Include detailed examples of type of vessel, length of vessel, inboard and/or outboard motor, total length of time, independently and/or group setting, etc.
• Swiftwater Rescue, ROC-M, or SVOP certifications
• Knowledge of hydroacoustics, fisheries and/or salmon biology
• Interest in fisheries management

Wages will begin at $ 25.93 CAD per hour, depending on experience, plus 4% in lieu of vacation.

Applications should be received by 11:59pm PDT Sunday, March 22, 2026, and be addressed to Ms. Xu at resumes@psc.org Include a cover letter, which highlights specific experience towards the position, and a résumé with two references. Please reference the name of the position in the email subject line.

Please mention you saw this at rcen.ca or goodwork.ca.

Candidates selected for interviews will be contacted after the closing date.

For additional seasonal positions available at the Pacific Salmon Commission for the 2026 season, please visit https://www.psc.org/about-us/history-purpose/employment-opportunities/ If interested or applying to multiple seasonal positions with the PSC, please note your preferred position in the email subject line and indicate your interest in other positions in the body of your email.

The PSC acknowledges that the Mission Hydroacoustics site is on the stó:lō téméxw (traditional territory) of the stó:lō xwélmexw (stó:lō peoples).

The PSC is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion and encourages all qualified individuals to apply.