Fishery Biologist 2 - Field Logistics Sucker Fish Monitoring Project

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission•Klamath Falls, OR

1d•Onsite

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 adult fish monitoring. The anticipated start date is January 4, 2026. The position contributes to long-term research on endangered Lost River and Shortnose suckers in the Klamath Basin, supporting recovery actions and water-management decisions through monitoring, sampling, and analysis. The program uses PIT tags for capture-recapture research and is expanding acoustic telemetry work to investigate seasonal movement, survival, and habitat use. The incumbent coordinates a research project focused on adult sucker monitoring and works with an established research team. Work includes standardized field sampling, aging, and genetic species identification of adult and juvenile suckers, primarily during spring and late fall on Upper Klamath Lake and/or Clear Lake Reservoir. The position also coordinates field crew schedules, installation and maintenance of remote PIT-tag detection equipment, seasonal sampling events, and day-to-day maintenance of boats and vehicles. Outside the adult sampling season, the incumbent supports other station priorities, which may include acoustic telemetry, receiver-array maintenance, tagging operations, detection-data analysis, writing and analysis for other projects, PIT-tag scanning at piscivorous bird colonies, and summer juvenile sucker sampling. The mix of additional assignments varies by season and station needs. Applicants must submit a resume of no more than six pages and a cover letter explaining their interest in the position and how their background and career goals align with the role, the long-term sucker dataset, and the KFFS research program. The job involves a combination of office, laboratory, and field work. Laboratory work may involve odors, chemicals, fish blood, and molds, with required safety precautions. Field work may involve varied weather, slippery or uneven terrain, insects, poison oak, rough or fast-moving water, cold water, elevated walkways or platforms near water, and work aboard boats. Physical demands range from sedentary to moderate, and may include walking, climbing, reaching, lifting, bending, extended standing, hiking, camping, and handling gear weighing 40–50 pounds. Candidates must meet the stated education and specialized-experience or graduate-education qualifications. Access to federal data systems requires U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency maintained for at least three consecutive years, and successful completion of a federal background investigation. Employment in Oregon is contingent on providing and clearing a three-year Oregon motor vehicle record check; the selected candidate is responsible for associated DMV fees.

Requirements

Successful completion of 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 six 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, one year of specialized experience or two years of progressively higher graduate education leading to a master’s degree in fisheries biology, ecology, or a closely related field.
At the upper end of the range, in addition to the specified undergraduate course of study, one year of specialized experience or three years of progressively higher graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a field directly related to the position.
An equivalent combination of experience and education may qualify. Specialized experience must provide knowledge, skills, and abilities relevant to the duties and be equivalent to at least the next lower level in the normal line of progression.
Meet federal eligibility requirements for access to and use of federal data systems.
Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident who has maintained permanent residency for at least three consecutive years.
Successfully complete a comprehensive federal agency background investigation.
For positions located in Oregon, provide and clear a three-year Oregon motor vehicle record check; the selected candidate pays associated DMV fees.
Submit a resume of no more than six pages demonstrating relevant education and experience.
Submit a cover letter explaining interest in this specific position and alignment of background and career goals with the role, long-term sucker dataset, and KFFS research program.
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, database software, topographic software, bibliographic software, and statistical analysis packages.
Knowledge of technical writing protocols, advanced statistical analysis, and mathematics.
Ability to load boats onto trailers and tow and maneuver trailers.
Fish species identification skills.
Oral and written communication skills.
Valid driver’s license.
Ability to lift 40–50 pounds is listed as a desirable skill; physical demands may include handling gear of that weight.
Ability to swim is listed as desirable.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading or co-leading a field crew.
Experience with acoustic telemetry.
Experience with acoustic telemetry and/or PIT-tag technologies, including equipment maintenance.
Snorkeling.
CPR/First Aid.
Using fish identification keys.
Fish aging using scales, otoliths, or other methods.
Boat electrofishing.
Operating traps or weirs.
Operating nets, including seines and gill nets.
Backpack electrofishing.
Operating motorized boats.
Literature search and review.
Operating GPS equipment.

Responsibilities

Coordinate the adult sucker monitoring research project as part of an established research team.
Conduct standardized field sampling, aging, and genetic species identification of adult and juvenile suckers across Upper Klamath Lake and/or Clear Lake Reservoir.
Schedule and coordinate field crews for seasonal sampling events and installation and maintenance of remote PIT-tag detection equipment.
Maintain boats and vehicles to ensure they are operational and available for the field schedule.
Support station acoustic telemetry work, potentially including receiver-array maintenance, tagging operations, and analysis of incoming detection data.
Contribute to writing and analysis for other station projects as needed.
Scan for PIT tags at piscivorous bird colonies as needed.
Support juvenile sucker sampling during summer months as needed.
Follow existing fish health screening protocols; conduct tissue collection, bacterial testing and analyses, blood collection and analyses, parasite identification, and necropsies on experimental fish populations, as applicable to assigned duties.
Recommend modifications to research protocols and evaluate or direct sampling efforts and reporting practices to meet data requirements.
Design data collection forms, establish research databases, manage databases, and assist with database presentations.
Compile and analyze data, prepare graphics, reports, memoranda, and presentations, and contribute to or write papers for peer-reviewed publication.
Plan, schedule, and conduct fish surveys and behavioral, physiological, morphological, or survival evaluations, as applicable to assigned duties.
Develop age-composition structures, stock assessments, escapement totals, harvest levels, run reconstruction frameworks, or run forecasts for designated fish species and stocks, as applicable to assigned duties.
Conduct physical and biological watershed, stream, and fish-habitat assessments; investigate data and prepare technical reports, GIS products, and survey and inventory results, as applicable to assigned duties.
Prepare, present, implement, and update assessment plans; assist with contract proposals, progress reports, specifications, task statements, and quality-of-work criteria.
Monitor project budget expenses, control purchasing, and manage equipment inventories.
At the upper end of the range, evaluate run profiles and habitat suitability, develop management plans, plan and implement fish-health or nutrition studies, analyze biological or genetic information, diagnose fish diseases or nutritional disorders, and develop protocol modifications as applicable to assigned duties.