Fisheries Technician Intern (USFS) - Summer 2026

Job Title: Fisheries Technician Intern

Location: Sitka, AK

Job Summary:
Are you enthusiastic about salmon and fisheries work? Spend the summer with the Ecosystems Team at the U.S. Forest Service Sitka Ranger District as the Fisheries Technician Intern! You will learn about and experience operating a remote fish weir to enumerate adult salmon escapement. Regular duties include construction and take down of fish weirs; collection of fish scale, length, and weight samples; application of fertilizer to the lake; recording field data; operating outboard motorboats on the ocean and lakes; and data quality control. Additionally, you will occasionally collect zooplankton and phytoplankton samples, water samples for nutrient analysis, and limnological field data, such as, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and light penetration profiles. You will stay for 5 - 8 days at a time at the project site in a dry cabin (no flowing water) and workdays can be long, 8 hours outside. You will also be responsible for helping with field camp maintenance and operations which will include operation of equipment (pumps, gasoline and propane fueled equipment and power tools), cutting firewood, etc.

Other opportunities may include working with the Sitka Ranger District staff to help conduct wildlife, fish, or habitat surveys; implement watershed and fish habitat improvement projects; remove old structures; and assist with a kids' fishing derby and other educational outreach programs. This internship will take place in person in Sitka, Alaska, with travel to and from field worksite locations. Travel may take place to remote field locations by Forest Service trucks or boats. The intern will be hiking in forested areas and expected to help move heavy materials and equipment on a regular basis - up to forty pounds over slippery, wet, and uneven ground. The intern will also be wading and snorkeling through fast-moving water on a regular basis. All personnel protective equipment, waders, dry suits, safety equipment, and tools will be provided. Interns will need to bring their own warm layers, rubber boots, and sleeping bags.

There will be 2 interns hired for this position.

Duties/Responsibilities:
• Build, maintain, and operate a salmon weir.
• Collect biological data from fish.
• Collect fisheries ecology data.
• Learn to operate small skiffs.
• Earn a Forest Service snorkel certification.
• Receive Bear and firearm safety training.
• Learn about and experience remote fieldwork.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:
• Interest in salmon and fisheries.
• Interest in living in remote places with a small, diverse crew with limited contact with others.
• Must be able to swim.
• Willing and able to work outdoors in inclement weather and on challenging terrain.
• Able to both collaborate with a team and work independently.
• You will need a valid driver's license to drive company vehicles.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Must be a Sealaska shareholder, descendant of a shareholder, or spouse of a shareholder.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States
• Ability to travel as needed.

Education and Experience:
• Must be age 18 at time of hire.
• Must be currently enrolled in post-secondary school/program or a recent graduate (1-2 years)
• Legally authorized to work in the United States

Preferred:
• Study in the field of fisheries
• Flexibility to work outside of normal work hours and travel within Southeast communities, as needed.
• Previous firearm experience
• At least a 2.5 GPA
• Strong critical thinking and research skills
• Self-starter with ability to adapt to a fast-paced work environment.

Application Process:
• Complete online application at Sealaska.com/careers by January 11, 2026.
• Submit a resume and recent transcript (unofficial) with online application. Cover letters are optional, but highly recommended.
• You may be asked to provide proof of your status as a Sealaska shareholder, shareholder descendant, or shareholder spouse.
• You must successfully complete a background check prior to onboarding at Sealaska. All candidates will be required to take a drug test (with marijuana)

About Sealaska Intern Program
The Sealaska intern program exists to uplift Sealaska shareholders and their descendants pursuing post-secondary education with meaningful career experience, learning opportunities, and a supportive community. Interns explore career interests, grow professional skills, and connect with the unique and vibrant cultures of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian people. You will spend the summer with peers who share an Alaska Native heritage, learning from each other and building a community as you venture into your careers. Learn more at sealaska.com/careers/summer-internships.

Working Conditions:
The physical and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands:
• Must be able to work long, often 8-hour days outside while exposed to inclement weather.
• Must be able to swim.
• Must be able to lift and carry or otherwise move 40 pounds regularly.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Bending or standing as necessary.
• Must be able to perform computer-based tasks and processing for up to 8 hours, including sitting or standing, mousing, interacting with information on a computer monitor.

Work Environment:
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee will primarily work outdoors in inclement weather and on challenging terrain, with occasional work in the office.
• This internship will take place in remote areas near Sitka, Alaska, with boat and truck travel to and from field worksite locations.
• The intern will also be wading and snorkeling through fast-moving water on a regular basis

This description is not intended to be, nor should it be construed as an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. It is intended to accurately reflect the activities and requirements of the position, but duties may be added, deleted, or modified, as necessary. This description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

Review the Benefits associated with this position: https://www.sealaska.com/benefits/

What To Know

Sealaska and its affiliates do not make job offers without first conducting live in-person or virtual interviews, and they do not conduct interviews by email/text. Please be sure to confirm the legitimacy of all job postings on the sealska.com careers page and https://jobs.dayforcehcm.com/en-US/sealaska/CANDIDATEPORTAL careers site before sharing any of your personal information.

Who is Sealaska? Established in 1972, Sealaska is the Alaska Native regional corporation for Southeast Alaska. Our 23,000 shareholders are Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian people with more than 10,000 years of ancestral ties to the oceans, forests and communities of Southeast Alaska. We serve the twin goals of economic prosperity and environmental protection.

We are committed to providing the best possible climate for maximum development and goal achievement for all our employees. As a Native-owned company, Sealaska Corporation is proud to promote an inclusive and diverse workplace, with respect for the cultural traditions in the communities where we operate.

Sealaska Corporation is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, sex, gender, age, religion or religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. However, preference may be extended to an enrolled member of a federally-recognized Indian Tribe.*

*"Indian Tribe" means an Indian Tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85 Stat. 668; 43 U.S.C. 1601) which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.