Fishery Biologist 2 - White Sturgeon Surveys

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission•West Sacramento, CA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is seeking a self-motivated and high performing Fisheries Biologist to lead a fishery-independent White Sturgeon population dynamics monitoring project with a crew of four fisheries technicians. This is a full-year, full-time position with benefits. This position includes leading or assisting with the following three primary project components: Mark-recapture data collection and analysis based on fishery-independent setline surveys. Sonar surveys in the spawning reaches of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers. Acoustic tagging of sturgeon handled during setline surveys. The setline study's mark-recapture data are needed to estimate abundance metrics (age-class abundance and relative abundance index) of White Sturgeon in the San Francisco Estuary. These data will be used to inform management for White Sturgeon, which became a candidate species for listing under the California Endangered Species Act in June 2024. Conducting sonar surveys in the upper reaches of the Sacramento and San Joaquin River also serves a multi-purposed objective. These surveys will provide the data needed for estimating the number of spawning White Sturgeon adults, which can be used as an additional abundance metric for management of the species. Additionally, information on the reproductive portion of the population can be paired with juvenile abundance indices from other data sources to establish spawner-recruitment relationships overtime. Lastly, acoustic tagging will provide insight on behavior and movement patterns in White Sturgeon as they migrate within the estuary and upriver for spawning activities. In addition to acoustic tagging, we will identify sex, and gonadal tissue samples will be taken for additional analysis. The primary responsibilities of the position will be to coordinate, provide logistical planning, and ensure adherence to setline survey and tagging protocols by vessel operators, four fisheries technicians, and volunteer data collectors, in collaboration with the CDFW lead scientist. The incumbent will produce monthly reports, which may include data summaries of catch, total sturgeon tagged, total sturgeon recaptured, along with field notes of importance to project supervisors (for example, updates on gear repair/maintenance/purchase needs, difficulties in the field). The incumbent will also be responsible for managing and maintaining a setline survey database. Additional responsibilities include inventorying, repairing, purchasing, and maintenance of project equipment. This position will also manage all charter captain subcontracts and invoices, ensuring timely processing and payment of purchase orders (POs). In conjunction with these responsibilities and under the guidance of the Project Manager, the incumbent will supervise and manage the workload of four fisheries technicians in support of the setline surveys, sonar surveys, and other tagging efforts of White Sturgeon. This position will be expected to perform setline surveys and tagging duties on various vessels at specific locations in the San Francisco Estuary and these duties may occur during the weekends and holidays. Fieldwork will be weather dependent and under a 4/10 schedule (four 10-hour days per week). Duties are essential to ensure setline survey, sonar survey, and tagging protocols are consistently followed. Essential Functions: Included in this band are professional positions that perform recurring assignments ranging from moderate difficulty where conventional or straight-forward biological concerns are encountered to complex assignments where specialized knowledge and demonstrated competence in advanced techniques are required. (The functions listed below are characteristic of the type and level of work associated with this group and pay band. They are not all-inclusive. Individual positions may perform some or all, as well as other similar work.) 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. Develop age composition structures, stock assessments, escapement totals, harvest levels, run reconstruction frameworks, and/or run forecasts for designated fish species and stock. Evaluate and direct sampling efforts or reporting practices to best meet data requirements. Write memoranda and reports necessary for transfer of information to the appropriate individuals, agencies, and organizations. 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. Plan, design, schedule, and conduct fish catch and effort surveys for marine fisheries. Utilize existing general creel survey protocols and determine modifications that address specific marine fisheries conditions or special fisheries. 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. Work with stock assessment biologists in relation to fisheries-specific data utilized in their stock assessments. Assist with database presentations of the data collected. Prepare reports and presentations as requested. Provide expertise in improvements to the design of creel surveys 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. Prepare, present, implement and update watershed assessment plans. Assist in writing contract proposals and progress reports. Assist in developing detailed contract specifications, task statements, quality of work criteria, and other specifications. Monitor budget expenses for projects, control purchasing, and manage equipment inventories. 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.

Requirements

Self-motivated and high performing
Ability to lead or assist with mark-recapture data collection and analysis based on fishery-independent setline surveys.
Ability to lead or assist with sonar surveys in the spawning reaches of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers.
Ability to lead or assist with acoustic tagging of sturgeon handled during setline surveys.
Ability to coordinate, provide logistical planning, and ensure adherence to setline survey and tagging protocols.
Ability to produce monthly reports including data summaries of catch, total sturgeon tagged, total sturgeon recaptured, and field notes.
Ability to manage and maintain a setline survey database.
Ability to inventory, repair, purchase, and maintain project equipment.
Ability to manage all charter captain subcontracts and invoices.
Ability to supervise and manage the workload of four fisheries technicians.
Ability to perform setline surveys and tagging duties on various vessels.
Knowledge of fishery biology (including knowledge of particular species of fish).
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, presentation software, database software, statistical analysis packages.
Knowledge of technical writing protocols.
Knowledge of advanced statistical analysis and mathematics.
Ability to compile and collect neat and accurate data.
Valid driver's license.
Oral communication skills.
Scientific Writing 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.
An equivalent combination of experience and education is also qualifying.
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.

Nice To Haves

Fish identification skills, specifically knowledge of species residing in the San Francisco Bay/Delta.
Previous experience handling and taking morphometric measurements of fish.
Database Management, including SQL databases and data processing, manipulation, and analysis in computer software programs (such as R).
Experience collecting environmental data using water quality multiparameter sondes.
Experience deploying, maintaining, and repairing fisheries sampling gear.
Experience leading field crews in scientific data collection.

Responsibilities

Lead or assist with mark-recapture data collection and analysis based on fishery-independent setline surveys.
Lead or assist with sonar surveys in the spawning reaches of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers.
Lead or assist with acoustic tagging of sturgeon handled during setline surveys.
Coordinate, provide logistical planning, and ensure adherence to setline survey and tagging protocols.
Produce monthly reports including data summaries of catch, total sturgeon tagged, total sturgeon recaptured, and field notes.
Manage and maintain a setline survey database.
Inventory, repair, purchase, and maintain project equipment.
Manage all charter captain subcontracts and invoices.
Supervise and manage the workload of four fisheries technicians.
Perform setline surveys and tagging duties on various vessels.
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.
Compile and analyze data for reports, prepare graphics, contribute to or write papers for peer-reviewed journals, and present research results at professional meetings.
Develop age composition structures, stock assessments, escapement totals, harvest levels, run reconstruction frameworks, and/or run forecasts.
Evaluate and direct sampling efforts or reporting practices.
Write memoranda and reports necessary for transfer of information.
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.
Plan, design, schedule, and conduct fish catch and effort surveys for marine fisheries.
Utilize existing general creel survey protocols and determine modifications.
Work with state, federal and regional fishery management councils to provide data.
Work with stock assessment biologists in relation to fisheries-specific data.
Assist with database presentations of the data collected.
Prepare reports and presentations as requested.
Provide expertise in improvements to the design of creel surveys.
Conduct limited physical and biological watershed, stream, and fish habitat assessments.
Conduct data investigation and research, drafting technical report, database management, GIS for all physical and biological data, and survey and inventory results.
Prepare, present, implement and update watershed assessment plans.
Assist in writing contract proposals and progress reports.
Assist in developing detailed contract specifications, task statements, quality of work criteria, and other specifications.
Monitor budget expenses for projects, control purchasing, and manage equipment inventories.
Use biological information to evaluate run profiles and habitat suitability.
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.