Scientific Technician II

Lynxnet, LLC an Akima Company,  is an agile, innovative and fast paced government contractor focused on delivering the very best value to every customer. We are also a military-friendly employer, and we support critical initiatives across the Department of Defense, Homeland Security and federal civilian agencies, including the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and their Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC).    Job Summary:   CERC conducts research in the broad area of Ecology.  The Ecology Branch is an integral component of the CERC program and conducts interdisciplinary research across Branches.  Specifically, the Conservation Ecology Section conducts research on various methods and strategies for use in the control of invasive Asian Carp.  Current research efforts are centered on the assessment of biological impacts and control measures regarding the management of invasive Asian Carp.  Technical assistance to the researchers includes a wide array of duties including water quality analysis; preparation of chemical stocks and standards; collection of laboratory behavioral data; conducting laboratory and field studies on invertebrates, fish, and aquatic plants; measurement of behavioral response resulting from the application of attractive or repellant chemical stimuli, data collection and entry, and statistical summary of data; and participates in the preparation of manuscripts and reports.  The measurement of behavior requires patience and attention to detail for accuracy and precision; laboratory and field testing involves knowledge of the principles of applied fisheries biology under a broad range of conditions.  Data entry, statistical analysis, and data graphics involves use of Microsoft software (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint).  This research involves a wide array of skills and attention to detail in support of the Center's research mission.  Responsibilities:  - Assist in the collection of wild fish from backwaters of the Missouri River and CERC culture ponds  and in spawning and rearing of captive stock and organisms from commercial sources.  - Maintain proper culture conditions (water quality, temperature, lighting) suitable for the species and life stage and record such conditions daily in a record logbook. - Ensure that test organisms are appropriately acclimated to test conditions prior to the onset of the experiments or behavioral observation and record such conditions daily for laboratory cultures of up to 5 species. Laboratory and field testing: - Assist scientists in conducting laboratory and field tests according to published standard operating procedures, or TOM-designated protocols, including preparation of exposure/observational conditions for the test, prepare test solutions, stock test organisms, feed organisms as needed, and clean exposure tanks.  - Observe and record condition of test organisms daily, prepare scheduled video samples for behavioral analysis.  - Observe and record study conditions (temperature, illumination, water flow, apparatus function, chemical delivery) and collect water samples for water quality and chemical analysis. - Conduct routine water quality analysis (hardness, alkalinity, conductivity, pH, oxygen). - Collect water and tissue samples as needed.  - Set up several monitoring stations and feeding platforms for conditioning Asian Carp to an algal stimulus and harvesting fish using various netting gear types with the use of a broadband complex auditory stimulus. - Maintain motorboats and johnboats per USGS safety requirements. - Travel domestically up to thirty days.   Conduct behavior analyses:   Assist scientist in conducting behavioral analyses using commercial imaging analysis software to quantify Asian Carp behavioral response to various auditory stimuli in the laboratory and in the field. Assist in the development of protocols for image analysis.  Observe spatial selection of Asian Carp in pond mesocosms and field sites as determined through PIT tag surveillance, sonar, acoustic or visual imagery, and telemetry.  Process video data files using digital imaging software to quantify behavioral response of fish to chemical or environmental stimuli. Data Quality and Reporting: - Calibrate and maintain laboratory and field instrumentation per manufacturer’s recommendation.  This equipment includes Orion pH meter, and YSI data sondes, control units for side-scan sonar systems, DIDSON and ARIS units, amplifiers and underwater speakers, underwater cameras and DVR systems, hydrophones, pit tag detectors, swim chamber flow sensors, diluter delivery volumes, and commercial image analysis parameters. - Assist in the analysis of data from sample analyses, and in the preparation of project reports for review by the designated Task Order Manager (TOM).  - Participate in biweekly research project meetings.