The spawner survey intern assists Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group staff in implementing the spawner survey program for selected restoration sites. The intern will participate in the SFEG spawner survey workshop on October 5th 2024, for training in how to identify adult salmon species and redds, conduct weekly surveys on one or more streams, and assist with data entry, analysis, and reporting. This program documents salmon spawning in proposed and completed restoration sites. This information is useful in understanding the effectiveness of restoration efforts and is used by WDFW for escapement forecasting (estimated number of fish returning to spawn). The intern works with SFEG field staff and other volunteers to carry out this work. MUST BE ABLE TO USE A PERSONAL VEHICLE TO GET TO WORK SITES. The spawner survey intern may be invited to assist with other activities such as weekend work parties and juvenile salmon data collection for additional experience/hours.
Time Commitment: This position begins October 5th 2023 and will be concluded in mid-late January of 2025. The Intern will work with SFEG staff and/or volunteers minimum 1 day per week but up to 2 days per week. Regular work hours TBD.
Interested? APPLY HERE!
Find out more about Skagit Fisheries
Note: Interns are VOLUNTEERS who are getting a stipend to offset the costs associated with living while volunteering.
Tasks:
● Attend SFEG spawner survey workshop and volunteer training session in early October
● Work with SFEG staff and volunteers to complete weekly spawner surveys on selected streams.
● Enter data into Excel database and assist with data analysis
● Help prepare charts and tables for annual summary report.
● Report hours to Outreach Manager monthly
● Write articles/short blogs to post on SFEG newsletter/social media
● Assist SFEG staff with other restoration & monitoring tasks as needed
● Read and become familiar with sections of the Chinook Recovery Plan, Skagit Watershed Council “2015 Shared Strategy” and the WDFW Fish passage prioritization manual as assigned by coordinator
Learning Objectives:
● Understand the salmon life cycle
● WDFW Salmon Spawner survey methods
● Identification of the 5 pacific northwest salmon species
● Experience with data entry and assembling complete project files
● Professional field work practices relating to safety, sanitation, and data collection
● Assist in the writing of an annual data report to be published on the SFEG website