Fishery Biologist 3- Ecologist

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission•Cook, WA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is recruiting a Fishery Biologist 3 - Ecologist to assist the U.S. Geological Survey at the Western Fisheries Research Center’s Columbia River Research Laboratory. The role works with WFRC’s Quantitative Ecology Team to lead and conduct complex fisheries ecology analyses across regional aquatic systems. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position with an anticipated start date of November 16, 2026. The scientist will design and oversee advanced statistical analyses, develop and extend integrated population models for salmon, use mark-recapture models with telemetry data to estimate demographic parameters, and estimate fish population abundance. The position also leads or co-authors peer-reviewed publications and technical reports; communicates research and quantitative findings to scientific, management, stakeholder, and interagency audiences; collaborates with interdisciplinary teams; and mentors junior technical staff. The work includes performing complex specialized procedures, adapting protocols in response to findings, planning studies that may depart from prior approaches, improving standard methods, and preparing and presenting technical studies and reports. Other characteristic duties may include reviewing and consulting on license implementation and mitigation conditions, recommending studies of proposed development impacts, contributing to agency decision rehearings and appeals, and participating in rulemaking and policy communication. The position requires a qualifying biological science education, including coursework in aquatic subjects and animal sciences, a doctorate in a directly related field, and at least one year of specialized experience, or an equivalent combination of experience and education. The work is sedentary with moderate walking between workstations and carrying light materials, and is performed in an office setting.

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 included at least 6 semester hours in aquatic subjects and at least 12 semester hours in animal sciences.
A Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate degree in a field directly related to the position, in addition to at least one year of specialized experience; an equivalent combination of experience and education is also qualifying.
Specialized experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties, typically related to the position’s work and equivalent to at least the next lower level in the normal line of progression.
Demonstrated expertise in advanced quantitative methods, including Bayesian inference, mark-recapture estimation, integrated population modeling, and spatial/temporal statistical modeling.
Advanced proficiency in quantitative programming environments such as R and specialized Bayesian software for complex statistical modeling and reproducible research workflows.
A proven record of primary authorship in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Ability to communicate complex quantitative concepts verbally to diverse audiences.
Knowledge of fishery biology theories, principles, and methods.
Ability to define problems, conduct background research, develop and execute project plans, organize and evaluate results, and prepare reports of findings.
Ability to compile and collect neat and accurate data.
Valid driver’s license.
Oral communication skills.
Written communication skills.

Responsibilities

Lead the design, execution, and oversight of complex statistical analyses of fish populations and ecological processes across regional aquatic systems.
Develop, update, and extend integrated population models for salmon populations.
Apply advanced mark-recapture models to telemetry data to estimate demographic parameters and estimate fish population abundance.
Lead and co-author peer-reviewed scientific publications and comprehensive technical reports.
Present technical findings and communicate quantitative models, biological inferences, and analytical outputs to managers, stakeholders, scientific peers, and interagency collaborators.
Lead analyses independently, collaborate across interdisciplinary research teams, and mentor junior technical staff on analytical approaches and data interpretation.
Perform complex tests and procedures using specialized methods or techniques; identify unusual entities, occurrences, or investigative outcomes relevant to the program area.
Modify or adapt established protocols and procedures in response to study findings, plan studies that may depart from previous approaches, and revise standard methods to improve or extend test and study systems.
Review and evaluate materials, prepare comments, provide consultations, and approve mitigation conditions during license implementations.
Recommend and approve studies evaluating potential impacts of proposed development.
Contribute to rehearings and appeals of agency decisions under the Endangered Species Act, Federal Power Act, and related authorities.
Participate in rulemaking, prepare briefing documents, and communicate and coordinate policy changes to other staff.
Compile and collect neat and accurate data; prepare and present technical studies and reports.