Ryan Sprague
Stockton,United States
Summary
Results-driven environmental data collection specialist with a strong commitment to accuracy and reliability. Demonstrated expertise in field research applications, ensuring high-quality data acquisition that helps support program goals, with a proven ability to complete tasks as an individual and collaboratively amongst multidisciplinary teams. Currently seeking to offer my skills to a team focused on improving our environmental understanding in an ever-changing and challenging world.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Biological Science Technician
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Lodi, United States
04.2024 - Current
- Conducts fisheries surveys as part of the Delta Juvenile Fish Monitoring Program to collect data pertaining to fish abundance
- Properly identifies species using field guides and prior anatomical knowledge
- Records water chemistry and ambient weather data using specialized digital equipment
- Enters data on physical and electronic data sheets to create daily catch reports
- Uses specialized online databases and MS Excel to properly enter, find and inventory data collected in the field
- Frequently facilitates the handling, processing and/or release of endangered fish species collected in the field
- Supervisor: Mia Adreani (209-292-3264)
- Okay to contact this Supervisor: Yes
Biological Science Technician (Control)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Ludington, United States
03.2023 - 10.2023
- Imported GPX data points from the computer to handheld GPS devices to be used for field data collection.
- Provided the public with information regarding sea lamprey life history and their effects on Great Lakes aquatic resources to contextualize the program's control strategies
- Entered access notes in the program database for future reference by supervisors and other staff
- Operated equipment used for the mixing and delivering of powdered formulations of lampricide on open water
- Supervisor: Chris Eilers ((231)-690-3304)
- Okay to contact this Supervisor: Yes
Fisheries Biological Aide
Idaho Fish and Game
Hagerman, United States
10.2022 - 03.2023
- Maintained up to 25 outdoor raceways per day by sweeping and draining waste water in order to ensure fish health
- Operated ORV on rough terrain to conduct daily clearing of debris from intake gates providing water to entire facility
- Assisted with wired pit tagging operations by safely crowding fish for capture and release
- Scanned fish mortalities for wired pit tags and documented amount for future monthly report creation
- Conducted water chemistry evaluations of pH and dissolved oxygen levels in indoor and outdoor raceways
- Dispensed accurate feed amounts daily using cable feeder
- Monitored raceways for fish mortalities and documents them in a log format for long-term record keeping
- Supervisor: Sage Hallenbeck ((208) 837-4896)
- Okay to contact this Supervisor: Yes
Biological Science Technician (Control)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Ludington, United States
04.2022 - 10.2022
- All duties listed under Biological Science Technician GS-4 at Ludington Biological Station apply in conjunction with the following listed below
- Engaged with members of the public to answer questions and offer information regarding the program and its goals
- Discussed on-site access with landowners to gain new access points for preliminary data collection and application points
- Handled and identified fish and other aquatic species using dichotomous keys to analyze treatment effectiveness on a species by species basis
- Reviewed and completed field data collection gathered by lower grade employees prior to entry to ensure quality assurance
- Lead and provided technical support to same and lower grade employees in the implementation of treatment application practices
- Ensured tasks completed by newer staff followed proper standard procedures
- Implemented regression equations provided by supervisors to predict starting application feed rates in response to changing stream conditions
- Recorded data and input chemical inventory usage on tablet and physical forms for future reconciliation
- Supervisor: Chris Eilers ((231)-690-3304)
- Okay to contact this Supervisor: Yes
Biological Science Technician (Control)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Ludington, United States
04.2021 - 10.2021
- Conducted aquatic invasive species control in the form of lampricide applications both independently and as part of a team in the Great Lakes region
- Navigated and located remote work-sites by use of physical and electronic maps as well as handheld GPS in remote areas
- Collected water quality parameters with water quality meter
- Sampled and recorded stream chemistry such as temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen in accordance with agency SOPs
- Ensured correct documentation, reporting, storage, transport and delivery of all biological samples
- Followed proper procedures for handling restricted-use pesticides and wearing appropriate PPE at all times
- Followed protocols for the safe and legal disposal of hazardous materials
- Recorded data into automated databases to be entered and organized for analysis and preparation of reports
- Collected and identified lamprey and non-target species to create a post-treatment assessment of lampricide effectiveness
- Frequently participated in rigorous treks through densely forested areas under load of 100 lbs or more to transport chemical to application points
- Handled and identified fish and other aquatic species using dichotomous keys to analyze treatment effectiveness on a species by species basis
- Entered physical data sheets in an electronic database to search for inconsistencies and ensure proper organization
- Supervisor: Chris Eilers ((231)-690-3304)
- Okay to contact this Supervisor: Yes
Fisheries and Wildlife Technician
Bay Mills Indian Community
Brimley, United States
08.2020 - 11.2020
- Utilized Garmin handheld GPS device to locate and service remote trail cameras in dense woods around Brimley and Sugar Island
- Identified wildlife found on trail camera footage and inventoried said sightings using Microsoft Excel spreadsheets
- Identified and collected wild rice samples along Central Upper Peninsula streams via kayak and battery-operated motorcraft
- Located, retrieved and serviced underwater radio telemetry units
- Operated local boat-wash station and provided outreach regarding invasive aquatic plants
- Accompanied biologist to provide outreach at community farmers market
- Safely travelled to sites using company trucks and UTVs on public roadways and ferry systems
- Completed stream crossing assessments to determine discharge and soil erosion
- Assisted with the collection and organization of materials on hazardous waste and recyclable collection days for members of the community
- Interacted and provided outreach to tribal community members while completing daily duties
- Supervisor: Gael Sanchez (505-480-9942)
- Okay to contact this Supervisor: Yes
Hatchery Technician
Center for Freshwater Research and Development (CFRE)
Sault Ste. Marie, United States
01.2020 - 05.2020
- Cleaned raceways and monitored water temperature to maintain fish health
- Tended to egg trays by manually agitating eggs to ensure oxidation
- Assisted with cutting and fitting PVC pipes in various areas of the hatchery
- Assisted with fin clipping of the pelvic fin for future age class identification
Aquaponics system developer
Superior Aquasystems
Sault Ste. Marie, United States
04.2019 - 09.2019
- Co-developed an aquaponics system as a part of a student-ran company based on the campus of Lake Superior State University
- Cut and fit PVC pipes and applied mechanical pumps to create a continuously flowing water circuit in outdoor greenhouse often reaching temperature of 100F
- Conducted minor landscaping work around the greenhouse property using motorized weed-wacker and hand tools
- Maintained centerpiece saltwater aquarium on campus, involving weekly water quality tests for ammonia and nitrates, as well as salinity control measures
Education
Bachelor's degree - Fisheries & Wildlife Management
Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste. Marie, MI, United States12.2020
High school diploma or equivalent -
Greenville High School
Greenville, MI, United States06.2016
Skills
- Species identification
- Writing and oral communication
- Data collection and analysis
- Field sampling techniques
- State and Federal Regulation Compliance
- GPS utilization
Affiliations
- LSSU Fisheries and Wildlife Club - Member
- Michigan American Fisheries Society - Member
Availability
Full-time Part-time Shift work Intermittent Job sharing Multiple Schedules
References
- Mia Andreani, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Supervisory Biologist, 209-292-3264, maria_adreani@fws.gov, professional
- Matt Murphy, USFWS, Crew Lead, 510-918-4516, matthew_murphy@fws.gov, professional
Timeline
Biological Science Technician
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
04.2024 - Current
Biological Science Technician (Control)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
03.2023 - 10.2023
Fisheries Biological Aide
Idaho Fish and Game
10.2022 - 03.2023
Biological Science Technician (Control)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
04.2022 - 10.2022
Biological Science Technician (Control)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
04.2021 - 10.2021
Fisheries and Wildlife Technician
Bay Mills Indian Community
08.2020 - 11.2020
Hatchery Technician
Center for Freshwater Research and Development (CFRE)
01.2020 - 05.2020
Aquaponics system developer
Superior Aquasystems
04.2019 - 09.2019
Bachelor's degree - Fisheries & Wildlife Management
Lake Superior State University
High school diploma or equivalent -
Greenville High School
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