Fishery Biologist 1- Field crew for Sucker Research

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission•Klamath Falls, OR

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is hiring two Fishery Biologist 1s for the USGS Klamath Falls Field Station in Klamath Falls, Oregon. The positions support research on endangered Lost River and Shortnose suckers, including long-term PIT-tag capture-recapture monitoring and a growing acoustic telemetry program. The work helps resource managers understand sucker survival, recruitment, seasonal movement, and habitat use and make informed decisions in the Klamath Basin. The position is field-based and non-supervisory, working as part of a USGS field crew primarily on Upper Klamath Lake and Clear Lake Reservoir. Duties include catching, tagging, and tracking fish; operating boats, nets, and traps; maintaining PIT-tag detection equipment and telemetry receiver arrays; collecting biological and telemetry data; and assisting with data management, analysis, and reporting. Most fieldwork is within approximately a two-hour radius of Klamath Falls. The field season runs February through November, with some winter night fishing required to capture adult suckers staging for spawning. The schedule is generally 40 hours per week, arranged as either four 10-hour days or five 8-hour days depending on seasonal needs. Work may take place in an office, fish processing laboratory, fish-holding area, or outdoors in variable and sometimes challenging field conditions. The anticipated start date is January 4, 2027. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position.

Requirements

Successful completion of a full four-year course of study at an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree, with a major in biological science including at least 6 semester hours in aquatic subjects and 12 semester hours in animal sciences; an equivalent combination of education and experience may qualify.
At the upper end of the qualification range, one year of specialized experience or one year of directly related graduate education.
Knowledge of fishery biology, including knowledge of fish species.
Knowledge of fish husbandry and aquatic habitats.
Knowledge of the scientific method, statistics, and mathematics.
Knowledge of personal computer applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, email, publishing, presentation, database, topographic, bibliographic, and statistical analysis software.
Knowledge of technical writing protocols and database management.
Knowledge of programming languages such as SQL.
Ability to lift 40–50 pounds; physical duties may include hiking, carrying equipment, swimming, standing, and maintaining footing in fast-moving water.
Valid driver’s license and ability to tow and maneuver trailers and load boats onto trailers.
Oral and written communication skills.
Ability to repair and maintain equipment used for acoustic telemetry receiver deployment, maintenance, or data downloads.
Meet federal eligibility requirements for access to and use of federal data systems.
Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident who has maintained permanent residency for at least three consecutive years.
Successfully complete a comprehensive federal agency background investigation.
For Oregon-based employment, provide a three-year Oregon Motor Vehicle Record and clear an MVR check; the selected candidate is responsible for associated DMV fees.
Submit a resume of no more than six pages and a cover letter explaining interest in the position and alignment with the role, long-term sucker dataset, KFFS research program, endangered species recovery, and management decision-making.

Nice To Haves

Snorkeling experience.
Experience operating traps or weirs.
Boat or backpack electrofishing experience.
Experience operating seine, gill, or other nets.
Experience with electronic detection technology.
Experience operating motorized and non-motorized boats.
Hiking experience.
Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC) or similar boating certification.
Experience operating GPS equipment.
Experience conducting literature searches and reviews.
Fish ageing experience using scales, otoliths, or other methods.
Fish species identification skills and experience using fish keys.
Ability to compile and collect neat, accurate data, including use of handheld data recorders.
Specific software skills in spreadsheets, word processing, databases, GIS, or statistical software.
CPR/First Aid.

Responsibilities

Lead and participate in fishery survey crews conducting presence/absence research, fishing surveys, escapement surveys, tag detection, and mark-recovery surveys.
Collect standardized biological observations, including species identification, length, weight, behavior, growth, survival, reproductive condition, and signs of disease, parasites, fin clips, or tags.
Enter, error-check, maintain, update, organize, and analyze fisheries and telemetry data; perform database queries and modify software programs as needed.
Prepare data summaries, reports, and other materials for transfer to individuals, agencies, and organizations.
Maintain PIT-tag detection equipment, including antennas and associated field infrastructure, and assist with acoustic telemetry receiver-array maintenance, fish capture for tagging, and telemetry data collection.
Assist researchers with fisheries resource management investigations by collecting biological samples, recording data, conducting routine analyses, and contributing draft sections to scientific papers.
Perform fish husbandry and hatchery-related tasks when assigned, including feeding fish, cleaning tanks, monitoring growth and health, collecting blood and tissue samples, and maintaining facility systems and records.
Assist with the design, development, and installation of components of naturalistic environments and record or analyze fish behavior and other characteristics.
Establish and direct sport, commercial, hatchery, and natural-spawn sampling and biological-sampling protocols.
Operate boats and field gear and perform fieldwork on Upper Klamath Lake, Clear Lake Reservoir, and other locations in the Klamath Basin.
Work some winter nights to capture adult suckers staging for spawning.