Research Technician - NSIC

at  Inland Fisheries Ireland

Inland Fisheries Ireland has a vacancy for a Research Technician to support the fulfilment of IFI’s monitoring, data collection and reporting obligations under the EU Multi-Annual Programme (EU-DCMAP) for Atlantic salmon.
Inland Fisheries Ireland carries out applied fisheries research to assess the conservation status of Ireland’s fish species, to monitor fisheries stocks in inland and coastal waters and to explore environmental issues that have an impact on fish and their habitats.
The core responsibilities of the post are related to providing support for the collection and collation of biological and fishery data from the National Salmonid Index Catchment River Erriff as well as national Atlantic salmon assessment programmes (fish counters, logbook schemes, juvenile electrofishing surveys).
You can find out more about our Research work here.
The role may involve an element of travelling across Ireland for parts of the contract and conducting field work in all weather conditions.
Field work will be influenced by weather; consequently, the position will require flexibility regarding working hours. Regular weekend, early morning and late evening work is to be expected particularly during the summer months. Transport will be provided for field duties.
Candidates should be comfortable working outside in all weather conditions and on/near bodies of water. The work will require frequent physical exertion while conducting field activities, including walking over rough, uneven terrain, lifting equipment, wading in streams/rivers and working in boats.
This position will be based in the National Salmonid Index Catchment River Erriff located at Aasleagh, Leenane, Co. Mayo.

ABOUT US

Inland Fisheries Ireland are the environmental agency responsible for protecting, managing and conserving Ireland’s inland fisheries and sea angling resources.
More information can be found by visiting our website.

KEY EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will have the following;

Essential

• A relevant Diploma or Degree or equivalent
• Full current driving license valid in the state
• Demonstrable experience with working in water, working outdoors in all weathers and in small boats
• Demonstrable experience with electrofishing and/or netting or trapping of fish
• Demonstrable experience of sampling and identification of fish species in Ireland
• Experience in scientific report writing
• Good experience in IT (e.g. MS Office) is required in order to support and produce documents, briefing papers, reports and presentations, etc.
• Ability to work well as part of a team and strong communications skills
• Self-motivation and ability to work on own initiative
• Good presentation skills

Desirable

• A relevant Honors Degree or equivalent (NFQ Level 8)
• Full BE class driving licence
• Demonstrable experience in the use of statistical packages (e.g. R software)
• Demonstrable experience in using GIS and working with spatial data
• Demonstrable experience in fish ageing

KEY SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES

The ideal candidate will have the following;

Essential

• Ability to form effective working relationships with team members, members of the public and IFI’s external stakeholders
• Excellent communication skills.
• Flexible approach to work and hours
• Commitment to the job and demonstrates self-motivation
• Good timekeeping
• Excellent, oral, written & numeracy skills
• Demonstrated ability in use of computer software relevant to the role
• Experienced in report writing
• Honest & trustworthy
• Good command of the English language
• Acts with Dignity & Integrity at all times
• Customer service skills

Main duties will include:

General

• Work closely with the Research Officer (RO) to ensure agreed deadlines are reached.
• Work independently in the field/laboratory and with the support of other IFI staff when required.
• Monitoring and sampling of fish in fish traps at Tawnyard and Aasleagh.
• Assisting with telemetry and PIT tagging of salmon and sea trout.
• Completing juvenile salmonid electrofishing surveys.
• Technical support for IFI national fish counter programme.
• Euthanasia and removal of non-wild ranched adult salmon encountered in Aasleagh trap.
• Supporting the operation of the Erriff Fishery including interaction with anglers as required.

Data Collection

• Collect relevant fish, abiotic and environmental data from designated waterbodies at appropriate times.
• Collect data on the distribution, biology and ecology of all fish species in selected waterbodies.
• Use new or existing technologies where appropriate to support the programme.

Data Processing

• Process and collate all sample material (including scales and otolith samples) to provide information on age profile and growth rates of fish species.
• Data mining and quality assure datasets for entry to IFI databases/GIS.
• Maintain raw data and all other records in a clear concise format.

Data Analysis

• Undertake data processing and analysis as necessary, including using relevant statistical techniques.
• Data entry and maintain raw data and all other records in a clear concise manner and in line with IFI’s database structure
• Present data in report format as required.

Reporting and Communication

• Compile and maintain all records in a manner compatible with GIS.
• Input to reports where necessary.
• Liaise closely with the Research Officer/SRO responsible for the Programme and other colleagues in IFI.

Other Duties

• Assist the Research Officer in ensuring that other elements of the programme not specifically linked to data collection and analysis, are achieved in a timely and efficient manner.
• Provide any technical support necessary for timely delivery of the programme.
• Liaise with fishery owners and leaseholders, angling clubs and other industry sectors and attend / contribute to information meetings as required.
• Liaise with other IFI staff working on related projects as required.
• Carry out such other duties as may be assigned to the post from time to time by the RO/Senior Research Officer.