Fishery Biologist 2- Chinook Monitoring Plan

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission•La Grange, TX

16d•Onsite

About The Position

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is recruiting a Fishery Biologist 2 in La Grange, California. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position with an anticipated start date of January 11, 2027. During the first year, the biologist will lead development of a comprehensive Spring-run Chinook Salmon life cycle monitoring plan integrating field methods, analytical approaches, and adaptive management strategies to support basin-wide conservation goals. During the second year, the biologist will oversee technicians implementing the plan and ensure high-quality data collection and consistent field operations across diverse habitats. The position combines outdoor fieldwork with data-driven scientific analysis and supports environmental stewardship. The role encompasses professional biological assignments ranging from moderate, recurring work using established methods to complex work requiring specialized knowledge and advanced techniques. Depending on the work, the biologist may develop fisheries assessments and forecasts, evaluate sampling and reporting practices, conduct surveys, collaborate with management agencies and councils, prepare reports, assess habitat suitability, plan research, monitor fish production and returns, and develop management or habitat plans. Work may take place in offices, laboratories, and field settings. Laboratory work may expose the biologist to odors, chemicals, fish blood, and molds; fieldwork may involve varied weather and terrain, insects, poison oak, slippery surfaces, fast-moving or cold water, high elevations, and boats. Some assignments may involve extended hiking or camping and handling gear weighing 40–50 pounds.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university, including a major in biological science with at least 6 semester hours in aquatic subjects and 12 semester hours in animal sciences.
For the lower end of the range, in addition to the undergraduate degree: 1 year of specialized experience, or 2 years of progressively higher graduate education leading to a master’s degree in a directly related field; an equivalent combination of experience and education qualifies.
For the upper end of the range, in addition to the specified undergraduate course of study: 1 year of specialized experience, or 3 years of progressively higher graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a directly related field; an equivalent combination of experience and education qualifies.
Specialized experience must equip the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties and be equivalent to at least the next lower level in the normal line of progression.
Knowledge of microbiology.
Knowledge of fish husbandry.
Ability to operate a trap or weir and nets such as seine or gill nets.
Ability to swim, hike, and lift 40–50 pounds.
Ability to operate GPS.
CPR/First Aid.
Valid driver’s license.
Literature search and review skills.
Fish species identification skills, including use of fish keys.
Oral and written communication skills.
Experience operating drones or ability to learn to operate them.

Responsibilities

Lead development of a comprehensive Spring-run Chinook Salmon life cycle monitoring plan in the first year, integrating field methods, analytical approaches, and adaptive management strategies.
Oversee a team of technicians implementing the monitoring plan in the second year, ensuring high-quality data collection and consistent field operations across diverse habitats.
Develop age composition structures, stock assessments, escapement totals, harvest levels, run reconstruction frameworks, and/or run forecasts for designated fish species and stocks, as assigned.
Evaluate and direct sampling efforts or reporting practices to meet data requirements; prepare memoranda and reports to transfer information to relevant individuals, agencies, and organizations.
Plan, design, schedule, and conduct fish catch and effort surveys for marine fisheries; adapt existing creel survey protocols to specific conditions or fisheries.
Work with state, federal, and regional fishery management councils to provide fisheries catch-and-effort data, population trends, and marine fish biology information; collaborate with stock assessment biologists on fisheries-specific assessment data.
Assist with database presentations of collected data, prepare reports and presentations as requested, and provide expertise on improving creel survey design.
Use biological information to evaluate run profiles and habitat suitability in stocked streams and develop comprehensive habitat management plans, where assigned.
Plan, design, and implement research studies on fish health and/or nutrition; analyze and report biological and/or genetic information affecting selection, rearing, and spawning activities, where assigned.
Prepare quarterly progress and annual reports on run status and hatchery or fish facility operations, where assigned.
Monitor and evaluate fish hatching, rearing, planting, and adult return rates; develop new rearing strategies, where assigned.
Prepare fish habitat measurement or management plans for a watershed or large geographic area, where assigned.
Diagnose fish diseases or nutritional disorders in experimental populations or brood stock and develop modifications to health or experimental protocols, where assigned.