Fishery Biologist 2- Food Web Ecology

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission•Seattle, WA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is recruiting a Fishery Biologist 2 to work at the USGS Western Fisheries Research Center in Seattle, Washington. This full-time, benefits-eligible position is offered on a one-year contract that is likely to be extended annually. The anticipated start date is November 16, 2026. The position supports research on the ecology and life history of salmonids and other Pacific Northwest species in freshwater and marine environments and across multiple trophic levels. Embedded in the Ecology Life History Lab, the role focuses on age, growth, and food-web dynamics. Work includes processing and analyzing otoliths, scales, fin rays, diet samples, zooplankton, drift samples, and other biological materials related to threatened fish, their predators, competitors, and prey. The position’s central duties include processing biological samples, assessing life-history characteristics, and supporting food-web and bioenergetics research. Diet analysis involves identifying prey species, including freshwater and marine fishes and invertebrates, in fish and avian predators, and quantifying diet composition. Otolith and scale analysis involves processing, measuring, and interpreting life-history characteristics from digital microscopic images. Other laboratory work includes preparing samples for stable isotope analysis and conducting bomb calorimetry for bioenergetics modeling. General duties include sample and data collection, sample processing, wet-lab experiments, care of live fish, laboratory equipment maintenance, data entry and analysis, and contributing to reports and publications. The role calls for a detail-oriented, organized, self-motivated person who can work independently with minimal supervision. Experience with the described sample-processing and analytical techniques and digital imaging software is preferred. Applicants should be proficient with word-processing and spreadsheet software. The position’s broader Fishery Biologist 2 functions may include work ranging from recurring biological assignments of moderate difficulty to complex assignments requiring specialized knowledge and advanced techniques. Depending on assignment, work may include fish health, stock assessment, fish culture, marine fisheries surveys, watershed and habitat assessments, contract and progress reporting, project budget monitoring, and preparation of technical or publishable reports. The position requires knowledge of fishery biology, microbiology, fish husbandry, aquatic habitats, scientific methods, sampling protocols, technical writing, and statistical analysis and mathematics. A valid driver’s license, fish species identification skills, software skills, and oral and written communication skills are also listed as mandatory.

Requirements

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 that includes at least 6 semester hours in aquatic subjects and at least 12 semester hours in animal sciences.
At the lower end of the range, in addition to the undergraduate degree requirement, 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 is qualifying.
At the upper end of the range, in addition to the 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 is qualifying.
Knowledge of fishery biology, including particular fish species; microbiology; fish husbandry; aquatic habitats; the scientific method; and sampling protocols.
Knowledge of Windows-based applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, email, publishing, presentations, databases, topographic software, bibliographic software, and statistical analysis packages.
Knowledge of technical writing protocols and advanced statistical analysis and mathematics.
Valid driver's license.
Fish species identification skills.
Software skills in spreadsheets, word processing, database management, GIS, statistical analysis, behavioral analysis, and bibliographic applications.
Oral and written communication skills.
Detail-oriented, organized, self-motivated, and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
Proficiency with word-processing and spreadsheet software.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience with the described sample-processing and analytical techniques.
Experience with digital imaging software.

Responsibilities

Process biological samples, including otoliths, scales, fin rays, diet samples, zooplankton, drift samples, and other biological materials.
Assess life-history characteristics and support food-web and bioenergetics research.
Conduct diet analysis of fish and avian predators by identifying prey species, including freshwater and marine fishes and invertebrates, and quantifying diet composition.
Process, measure, and interpret life-history characteristics from digital microscopic images of otoliths and scales.
Prepare samples for stable isotope analysis and conduct bomb calorimetry for bioenergetics modeling.
Collect samples and data; conduct wet-lab experiments; care for live fish; and maintain laboratory equipment.
Enter and analyze data and contribute to reports and publications.
As applicable to the assignment, conduct biological research and evaluations; compile and analyze data; prepare reports, graphics, memoranda, and presentations; and contribute to scientific papers.
As applicable to the assignment, support fishery surveys, stock assessments, fish health and culture work, watershed or habitat assessments, contract reporting, and project budget or equipment management.