Biological Science Assistant (Life Cycle Monitoring Assistant)
About The Position
Help the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife fulfill its mission: To protect and enhance Oregon's fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations. We are hiring for one permanent position located in Newport, Oregon. Anticipated Start Date: July 1, 2026. The primary purpose of this position is to provide field work, principally in support of adult and smolt monitoring activities at Life Cycle Monitoring sites and coastwide stream habitat inventories and snorkel surveys. The projects’ major activities include monitoring upstream and downstream fish traps and conducting field surveys to assess the condition of stream habitat. The position will also be responsible for quality control of the information, writing summaries of sampling results, maintaining field gear and equipment, coordinating with ODFW district staff, and requesting permission from private landowners to access sample sites. We seek candidates who are comfortable working in remote areas.
Requirements
- Requires a valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.
- Ability to conduct field work under a variety of weather conditions ranging from heat in summer to cold in winter.
- Must be self-motivated, willing to work under a variety of conditions, and responsible for the quality of data collected.
- Comfortable communicating with team members and the public.
- Must maintain their own schedule, decide how to safely and efficiently access and work in streams and estuary, and collect data following a complex protocol.
- Must work independently and be able to navigate to remote areas using map, compass, and GPS.
- Anyone who possesses or is in pursuit of a Fisheries or Wildlife Science degree or related degree in biological/ecological sciences.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with smolt trap operation, fish sampling, conducting habitat surveys, hydrology, PIT-tagging, biological sampling, or entering data.
- Experience collecting biological samples from fish, identifying juvenile fish species (especially salmonids), and accurately recording field data.
Responsibilities
- Provide field work, principally in support of adult and smolt monitoring activities at Life Cycle Monitoring sites and coastwide stream habitat inventories and snorkel surveys.
- Monitor upstream and downstream fish traps.
- Conduct field surveys to assess the condition of stream habitat.
- Perform quality control of information.
- Write summaries of sampling results.
- Maintain field gear and equipment.
- Coordinate with ODFW district staff.
- Request permission from private landowners to access sample sites.
Benefits
- Work/life balance
- 11 paid holidays a year
- A competitive benefits package
- Advancement and learning opportunities
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Associate degree
