Fishery Biologist 2- Telemetry

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission • Cook, WA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is seeking candidates to fill the
role of Fishery Biologist 2 - Telemetry position. The incumbent will serve at
the USGS Columbia River Research Laboratory in Cook, WA.

Position/Project Specifics:

This project is designed to monitor fishery response of ESA listed Chinook
salmon, steelhead, and bull trout relative to habitat conservation actions that
are being implemented throughout the Columbia River Basin. Data generated from
these studies will be used to further understand and evaluate the relationship
between habitat capacity and freshwater survival and will help guide future
restoration efforts using an adaptive management approach. The selected
candidate will be responsible for leading and conducting a range of field work
activities aimed at evaluating life stage specific abundance and survival,
including backpack and barge electrofishing, operating and maintaining rotary
screw traps, operating adult fish traps and weirs, radio and acoustic telemetry,
spawning ground surveys, PIT tagging of juvenile and adult salmonids, PIT tag
array operation and maintenance, collecting biological samples, and collecting
physical habitat data such as water temperature, flow, and general habitat
characteristics. Office duties will include data organization and entry, data
quality control, database management, assisting the lead USGS biologist in data
summary, and preparation of figures and maps. The selected candidate will
participate as a member of a research team conducting studies throughout western
North America.

Applicants should be detail-oriented with a strong work ethic, organized,
self-motivated, and able to work independently with little supervision. Previous
experience with methods described above that are used to monitor freshwater life
stages of anadromous fish is preferred. Applicants should be proficient with
word processing, spreadsheet software, and databases. They should also be able
to accommodate a flexible schedule during the field season. This includes either
4 days on, 3 days off, 5 days on with weekends off, or an occasional 8 day on, 6
day off schedule as necessary, depending upon field activity. Winter schedule is
typically a standard 5 day work week with weekends off, with some flexibility.

This position is considered full time, with a contract lasting one year that is
likely to be extended from year to year.

Essential Functions:   

At the lower end of the range, Fishery Biologists have a solid working knowledge
of established scientific methods and techniques to perform recurring
assignments of moderate difficulty.  Methods and techniques are well
established, apply to most situations, and do not require significant
deviations.  Resource planning reports generated by employees at this level
involve conventional biological concerns.  Reports generated may be short-range
management plans or portions of annual work plans.  Lower range work examples
include:

Following existing protocols for fish health screenings, conduct tissue
sample collection, bacterial testing and analyses, blood collection and
analyses, parasite identification, and necropsies on experimental fish
populations.
Recommend modifications of existing research protocols.
Design data collection forms and set up research databases for integration of
data.
Compile and analyze data for reports, prepare graphics, contribute to or
write papers for peer-reviewed journals, and present research results at
professional meetings.
Plan, schedule, and conduct behavioral, physiological, morphological, and
survival evaluations of hatchery and/or experimental fish populations.
Oversee and assist with fish culture tasks for study purposes and recommend
procedure variations. Write or contribute to papers and reports for
publication, and compile reports on results of data collection and analysis.
Prepare and deliver formal and informal presentations at seminars, meetings,
etc.
Work with state, federal and regional fishery management councils to provide
data on fisheries catch and effort and population trends as well as biology
of marine fish species.
Conduct limited physical and biological watershed, stream, and fish habitat
assessments. Responsible for conducting data investigation and research,
drafting technical report, database management, GIS for all physical and
biological data, and survey and inventory results.

At the upper end of the range, the Fishery Biologist has specialized knowledge
and demonstrated competence in advanced techniques of a complex area of fish
biology sufficient to serve as a troubleshooter or specialist.  The employee is
competent to modify or adapt standard techniques, processes and procedures, and
to assess, select, apply precedents and devise strategies and plans to overcome
significant problems related to species production, protection, habitat
restoration, or program management and evaluation. Planning reports generated by
employees at this level assess the impact of various multi-faceted management or
public practices on a resource. Upper range work examples include:

Use biological information to evaluate run profiles and habitat suitability
in stocked streams within a major geographical area.
Develop comprehensive management plans to insure preservation, protection,
and enhancement of habitats.
Plan, design and implement research studies on fish health and/or nutrition.
Analyze and report biological and/or genetic information affecting future
selection, rearing, and spawning activities.
Prepare both quarterly progress and annual reports on run status and hatchery
or fish facility operations.
Monitor and evaluate hatching, rearing and planting of fish.
Evaluate and monitor adult return rates.
Develop new rearing strategies.
Prepare fish habitat measurement plans or management plans for a watershed or
large geographic area.
Diagnose various fish diseases or nutritional disorders in experimental
populations or brood stock. Develop modifications to existing health
protocols as well as experimental protocols.
Write publishable reports of research and project findings.

Knowledge Required by the Position: 

Knowledge of fishery biology (including knowledge of particular species of
fish) .
Knowledge of fish husbandry.
Knowledge of aquatic habitats.
Knowledge of the scientific method.
Knowledge of sampling protocols.
Knowledge of Windows-based computer applications such as word processing,
spreadsheets, e-mail, publishing software, presentation software, database
software, topographic software, bibliographic software, and statistical
analysis packages.
Knowledge of technical writing protocols.
Knowledge of advanced statistical analysis and mathematics.

Additional Mandatory Skills:  

lift 40-50 lbs.                                            
valid driver's license
habitat typing                                     
habitat monitoring                  
fish ageing (scale, otolith, other)        
fish species ID skills               
specific software (spreadsheet, word processing, database management, GIS,
statistical analysis, behavioral analysis, bibliographic)
oral communication skills                              
written communication skills              

Physical Demands:
Demands generally range from sedentary to moderate --where there is walking,
climbing stairs and ladders, reaching, lifting, bending, or extended periods of
standing. Some Fishery Biologists in this range have rigorous physical demands
where they must be able to handle buckets of water or gear weighing from 40 - 50
pounds, engage in long daily periods of hiking, camp out for extended periods,
or maintain footing in fast-moving water.

Work Environment:
Some work is performed in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating and
ventilation. Some work may be performed in a laboratory setting which exposes
the biologist to odors, chemicals, fish blood, and molds. The employee must use
safety precautions including MSDS, gloves, hood, and eye protection. Some
employees may work on narrow, elevated walkways and platforms that are over or
adjacent to water. Field work involves exposure to all types of weather,
slippery rocks or docks, trails, irregular terrain, insects, poison oak, rough
or fast-moving water, or cold water temperatures. Work at high elevations or
aboard boats may be required.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

A range of education and experience may be presented.  At the lower end of the
range, candidates must present successful completion of a full 4-year course of
study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher
degree that included a major in biological science with at least 6 semester
hours in aquatic subjects and at least 12 semester hours in the animal
sciences.  In addition to the undergraduate degree requirement, candidates for
positions at the lower end of the range must also present 1 year of Specialized
Experience OR 2 years of progressively higher graduate education leading to a
master's degree in fields directly related to the position being filled. An
equivalent combination of experience and education is also qualifying.

At the upper end of the range, in addition to the undergraduate course of study
described above, candidates must also must present one year of Specialized
Experience  OR  3 years of progressively higher level graduate education
leading to a Ph. D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree in fields directly
related to the position being filled.  An equivalent combination of experience
and education is also qualifying.

Specialized Experience is experience that equips the applicant with the
knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the
position and is typically in or related to the work of the position being
filled.  To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to
at least the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the position
being filled.

Requirements

• detail-oriented with a strong work ethic
• organized
• self-motivated
• able to work independently with little supervision
• proficient with word processing, spreadsheet software, and databases
• able to accommodate a flexible schedule during the field season
• lift 40-50 lbs
• valid driver's license
• habitat typing
• habitat monitoring
• fish ageing (scale, otolith, other)
• fish species ID skills
• specific software (spreadsheet, word processing, database management, GIS, statistical analysis, behavioral analysis, bibliographic)
• oral communication skills
• written communication skills
• successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major in biological science with at least 6 semester hours in aquatic subjects and at least 12 semester hours in the animal sciences
• 1 year of Specialized Experience OR 2 years of progressively higher graduate education leading to a master's degree in fields directly related to the position being filled
• one year of Specialized Experience OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph. D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree in fields directly related to the position being filled

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience with methods described above that are used to monitor freshwater life stages of anadromous fish is preferred.

Responsibilities

• leading and conducting a range of field work activities aimed at evaluating life stage specific abundance and survival, including backpack and barge electrofishing, operating and maintaining rotary screw traps, operating adult fish traps and weirs, radio and acoustic telemetry, spawning ground surveys, PIT tagging of juvenile and adult salmonids, PIT tag array operation and maintenance, collecting biological samples, and collecting physical habitat data such as water temperature, flow, and general habitat characteristics
• data organization and entry
• data quality control
• database management
• assisting the lead USGS biologist in data summary
• preparation of figures and maps
• participate as a member of a research team conducting studies throughout western North America

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level