Fisheries Biometrician

State of Montana•Helena, MT

1d•Remote

About The Position

The Fisheries Biometrician serves as a statewide lead for advancing the technical, scientific, and decision-analytic foundation of Montana’s fisheries management. This position shapes how research and monitoring translate into effective conservation, management, and policy decisions across Montana. This is a unique opportunity to lead the integration of rigorous analysis and decision science into every level of fisheries work—from designing statewide monitoring strategies to developing tools that predict, evaluate, and optimize management outcomes. The Fisheries Biometrician provides strategic leadership in developing and refining monitoring protocols, advancing predictive modeling and decision-support systems, and ensuring that Montana’s fisheries management remains grounded in transparent, data-driven, and science-based reasoning. Key responsibilities include: Developing and conducting statistical analyses of fish population dynamics statewide, including population modeling, occupancy and abundance estimation, and evaluating effects of angling, management actions, and environmental conditions on fish populations. Designing studies and surveys to address fisheries management questions, including determining sampling frameworks, sample sizes, and monitoring approaches needed to reliably estimate population parameters. Collaborating with field biologists, regional managers, and research partners to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights and management strategies. Overseeing and improving automated analytical and reporting systems (e.g., Quarto/R platforms) to improve consistency, transparency, and efficiency in statewide reporting. Leading structured decision-making and adaptive management processes for fisheries management, including formal decision analysis and coordination across regions and staff. Near-term priorities include: Advancing population modeling and adaptive decision frameworks for brown and rainbow trout in southwest Montana, with potential expansion to additional species and ecosystems. Leading the development of multi-species occupancy models for Montana’s prairie fish monitoring program, aiming to update species status and identify key, management-relevant environmental drivers.

Requirements

Master's degree in Statistics, Statistical Ecology, Quantitative Ecology, or Fisheries or Fisheries Biology (quantitative emphasis)
Minimum of 20 semester hours of statistics, including 2 semesters of statistical theory courses (probability and inferential statistics)
Mathematics with an emphasis in statistics or biometrics
Minimum of 2 years’ experience in quantitative science
Experience in the statistical analysis of biological data
Understanding of fish and fisheries ecology
Clearly demonstrated abilities in verbal and written communications
Advanced computer skills including word processing, database management and programming languages
Proficiency with client databases such as MS Access, Python, Java, Oracle, MySQL, and SQL Server
Proficiency in the analysis of computer data using statistical software including R, WinBUGS, SPSS, and/or SAS
Experience in programming in these languages
Basic knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.
An understanding of the interrelationships between plants, animals, and environments. Understands modern ecological concepts and has some knowledge of community dynamics and population ecology.
Intimate familiarity and experience with design and implementation of fisheries surveys and inventory methods of many types, including active and passive fish sampling techniques and advanced telemetry tracking, and other existing, new, or emerging techniques.
Proficient in many areas of statistics including survey sampling techniques, experimental design, inferential statistics, categorical data analysis, generalized linear modeling, likelihood, and Bayesian methods.
Proficiency in predictive modeling and decision-analysis methods.
Ability to develop and conceptualize novel statistical and mathematical approaches to analysis of biological data, and describe those results in intuitive ways (e.g., via data visualization) for diverse audiences.
Ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Ability to talk to others and convey information effectively.
Advanced computer skills including word processing, database management and programming languages for client databases such as MS Access and enterprise databases such as Oracle, MySQL, and SQL Server, ecological software, and advanced skills in the analysis of data using standard statistical software, including R, and the ability to develop new software (e.g., ShinyApps) as necessary.
Ability to understand the implications of new information for both current and future problem solving and decision-making.
Ability to learn new things by applying selecting and using training/instructional materials provided or by listening to qualified instructors.
Ability to apply logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to a problem.
Ability to consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Skills in supervision and budgeting.

Nice To Haves

Various combinations of master's and bachelor's degree in Statistics, Quantitative Ecology, Fish and Fisheries Management, Biology, Ecology, Animal Science or related fields would be preferred.

Responsibilities

Developing and conducting statistical analyses of fish population dynamics statewide, including population modeling, occupancy and abundance estimation, and evaluating effects of angling, management actions, and environmental conditions on fish populations.
Designing studies and surveys to address fisheries management questions, including determining sampling frameworks, sample sizes, and monitoring approaches needed to reliably estimate population parameters.
Collaborating with field biologists, regional managers, and research partners to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights and management strategies.
Overseeing and improving automated analytical and reporting systems (e.g., Quarto/R platforms) to improve consistency, transparency, and efficiency in statewide reporting.
Leading structured decision-making and adaptive management processes for fisheries management, including formal decision analysis and coordination across regions and staff.
Advancing population modeling and adaptive decision frameworks for brown and rainbow trout in southwest Montana, with potential expansion to additional species and ecosystems.
Leading the development of multi-species occupancy models for Montana’s prairie fish monitoring program, aiming to update species status and identify key, management-relevant environmental drivers.