Fishery Biologist 2- Juvenile Sucker Research and Monitoring

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission•Klamath Falls, OR

About The Position

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is hiring a full-time, benefits-eligible Fishery Biologist 2 to work closely with U.S. Geological Survey researchers at the Klamath Falls Field Station on research and monitoring of juvenile Lost River and Shortnose suckers in the Klamath Basin. The position contributes to long-term research supporting recovery of these endangered species and informing resource and water-management decisions. The station tracks individual fish using PIT tags and is expanding its acoustic telemetry work to better understand movement and survival. The primary responsibility is coordinating a research project focused on juvenile sucker monitoring. The work includes standardized sampling, aging, and genetic species identification across Upper Klamath Lake and/or Clear Lake Reservoir, primarily during summer. Field leads conduct most hands-on sampling; this position coordinates the broader effort and supports data management, analysis, and reporting after the field season. Outside the juvenile sampling season, the incumbent supports other station priorities, which may include acoustic telemetry, receiver arrays, tagging operations, detection-data analysis, other project writing and analysis, PIT-tag scanning at piscivorous bird colonies, and adult sucker sampling in spring. The mix of additional work varies according to season and station needs. The role is part of a collaborative team of biologists and data managers. The successful candidate should be comfortable with independent field research and monitoring, work well as a team member, and be able to carry a project through to completion. Minimum qualifications allow a range of education and experience, from a relevant bachelor's degree with qualifying specialized experience or graduate education to doctoral-level graduate education or equivalent experience. The posting describes a range of Fishery Biologist 2 duties, including research and monitoring, data analysis and reporting, sampling and assessment, and related project and equipment management.

Requirements

Meet the stated education and experience requirements: a qualifying four-year biological science degree with at least 6 semester hours in aquatic subjects and 12 semester hours in animal sciences, plus either specialized experience or qualifying graduate education. The posting provides lower- and upper-range pathways, including master's- or doctoral-level graduate education or equivalent combinations of education and experience.
Knowledge of fishery biology, including catostomids, aquatic habitats, the scientific method, and sampling protocols.
Knowledge of Windows-based applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, email, publishing and presentation software, databases, topographic software, bibliographic software, and statistical analysis packages.
Knowledge of technical writing protocols, advanced statistical analysis, and mathematics.
Ability to lift 40–50 pounds, load boats on trailers, and tow and maneuver trailers.
Experience or skill with electronic detection technology, fish aging using scales, otoliths, or other methods, and fish species identification.
Valid driver's license.
Skills with spreadsheet, word-processing, database-management, GIS, statistical-analysis, and bibliographic software.
Ability to code in R or Python for data management and analysis.
Oral and written communication skills.
Meet federal eligibility requirements to access and use federal data systems.
Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident who has maintained that status for at least three consecutive years.
Successfully complete a comprehensive federal agency background investigation.
For the Oregon position, provide a three-year Oregon Motor Vehicle Record and clear the MVR check; the selected candidate is responsible for associated DMV fees.
Submit a resume of no more than six pages, a cover letter addressing interest and alignment with the role and research program, and two examples of completed products with summaries describing the candidate's role and each product's relevance to management or decision-making.

Nice To Haves

Snorkeling.
Boat or backpack electrofishing.
Using fish identification keys.
Operating traps or weirs.
Operating nets, including seine or gill nets.
Ability to swim.
Operating motorized and non-motorized boats.
Hiking and operating GPS equipment.
CPR/First Aid.
Literature searching and review.
A master's degree or doctorate in fisheries biology, ecology, or a closely related field, supplemented by relevant professional, research, or postdoctoral experience.

Responsibilities

Coordinate a research project centered on juvenile sucker monitoring.
Coordinate standardized field sampling, aging, and genetic species identification of juvenile suckers across Upper Klamath Lake and/or Clear Lake Reservoir.
Support data management, analysis, and reporting of results following the field season.
Support acoustic telemetry work, potentially including maintaining receiver arrays, assisting with tagging operations, and analyzing detection data.
Contribute to writing and analysis on other station projects as priorities require.
Scan for PIT tags at piscivorous bird colonies and support adult sucker sampling in spring as needed.
Compile and analyze data, prepare graphics, contribute to or write technical reports and peer-reviewed papers, and present research results.
Use and adapt existing sampling protocols and recommend protocol modifications where appropriate.
Support project budgets, purchasing, and equipment inventories as applicable to assigned work.