Job Description

Location:

Miramichi Salmon Conservation Centre,South Esk, NB

Position Overview:

$19/hr, Full time. 40hrs/week, 8:00am-4:30pm with a 30-minute unpaid lunch. Weekend and holiday work is required. On-call time is required for hatchery alarms. Hours may vary according to field work and hatchery duties. This position reports to the Hatchery Manager and Field Biologist.

The conservation technician will be involved in field and hatchery work for Atlantic salmon throughout the Miramichi River watershed, which includes smolt estimates, fry stocking, cold water pool restoration, juvenile population assessments, broodstock collection, spawning, beaver dam management, fish care at the hatchery and maintenance work, helping manage summer students, and other projects as necessary.

The technician will be responsible for assisting crew leaders with our field programs and helping at the fish hatchery. The tasks will include hands-on work with Atlantic salmon of varying ages, conducting field projects, recording and interpreting data, maintaining equipment, and working collaboratively on projects.

- A smolt estimate that includes assembling smolt wheels in the river, collecting and sorting smolts from our smolt wheel, tagging and handling fish, transporting them as necessary, and ensuring their safe recovery/release. Detailed field notes must also be recorded, and equipment properly maintained.

- A salmon fry stocking program, where the crew will release salmon fry back into the Miramichi watershed.

- Assessments and follow-up work on our cold-water habitat/seep restorations projects. Temperature readings, fish presence, and habitat data will all be recorded and analyzed. This position may involve drone training and operation, particularly for monitoring salmon migration obstacles and working on cold water pool restoration.

- A juvenile density program which includes electrofishing surveys.

- Broodstock collection, spawning, and egg care and maintenance that requires detailed data recording.

- Feeding fish, cleaning tanks and equipment, treatments, measuring water quality, handling fish as needed, and site maintenance.

An aquaculture/environmental degree or diploma, or relevant training, and 2+ years of work experience is required. A valid class 5 driver's license is required. The candidate must be comfortable around water, be physically fit, and able to work independently on their feet for long stretches of time and be able to lift 20kg (50-55lbs) unassisted. Working environments are sometimes dirty, wet, cold, and odorous. Valid first aid certification, a boat operator's license, and experience driving trucks are considered an asset.

Please email your resume to holly@miramichisalmon.ca. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Application deadline is January 9th, 2026.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $18.00-$19.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

RRSP match
Work Location: In person