Fishery Biologist 2- Snake River Monitoring

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission•Cook, WA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is located at the USGS Columbia River Research Laboratory in Cook, WA. The project monitors fishery response of ESA listed Chinook salmon, steelhead, and bull trout relative to habitat conservation actions in the Columbia, Snake, and Sacramento river basins. The goal is to understand and evaluate the relationship between habitat capacity and freshwater survival to guide future restoration efforts using an adaptive management approach.

Requirements

Detail-oriented with a strong work ethic, organized, self-motivated, and able to work independently with little supervision.
Proficient with word processing, spreadsheet software, and databases.
Knowledge of fishery biology (including knowledge of particular species of fish).
Knowledge of fish husbandry.
Knowledge of aquatic habitats.
Knowledge of the scientific method.
Knowledge of sampling protocols.
Knowledge of Windows-based computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, e-mail, publishing software, presentation software, database software, topographic software, bibliographic software, and statistical analysis packages.
Knowledge of technical writing protocols.
Knowledge of advanced statistical analysis and mathematics.
Lift 40-50 lbs.
Valid driver's license.
Habitat typing.
Habitat monitoring.
Fish ageing (scale, otolith, other).
Fish species ID skills.
Specific software (spreadsheet, word processing, database management, GIS, statistical analysis, behavioral analysis, bibliographic).
Oral communication skills.
Written communication skills.
Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major in biological science with at least 6 semester hours in aquatic subjects and at least 12 semester hours in the animal sciences.
1 year of Specialized Experience OR 2 years of progressively higher graduate education leading to a master's degree in fields directly related to the position being filled.
An equivalent combination of experience and education is also qualifying.
One year of Specialized Experience OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph. D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree in fields directly related to the position being filled.
An equivalent combination of experience and education is also qualifying.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience with methods described above that are used to monitor freshwater life stages of anadromous fish is preferred.
Able to accommodate a flexible schedule during the field season.

Responsibilities

Leading and conducting field work activities aimed at evaluating life stage specific abundance and survival, including backpack and barge electrofishing, operating and maintaining rotary screw traps, operating adult fish traps and weirs, radio and acoustic telemetry, spawning ground surveys, PIT tagging of juvenile and adult salmonids, PIT tag array operation and maintenance, collecting biological samples, and collecting physical habitat data such as water temperature, flow, and general habitat characteristics.
Office duties including data organization and entry, data quality control, database management, assisting the lead USGS biologist in data summary, and preparation of figures and maps.
Participating as a member of a research team conducting studies throughout western North America.
Following existing protocols for fish health screenings, conduct tissue sample collection, bacterial testing and analyses, blood collection and analyses, parasite identification, and necropsies on experimental fish populations.
Recommend modifications of existing research protocols.
Design data collection forms and set up research databases for integration of data.
Compile and analyze data for reports, prepare graphics, contribute to or write papers for peer-reviewed journals, and present research results at professional meetings.
Plan, schedule, and conduct behavioral, physiological, morphological, and survival evaluations of hatchery and/or experimental fish populations.
Oversee and assist with fish culture tasks for study purposes and recommend procedure variations.
Write or contribute to papers and reports for publication, and compile reports on results of data collection and analysis.
Prepare and deliver formal and informal presentations at seminars, meetings, etc.
Work with state, federal and regional fishery management councils to provide data on fisheries catch and effort and population trends as well as biology of marine fish species.
Conduct limited physical and biological watershed, stream, and fish habitat assessments.
Responsible for conducting data investigation and research, drafting technical report, database management, GIS for all physical and biological data, and survey and inventory results.
Use biological information to evaluate run profiles and habitat suitability in stocked streams within a major geographical area.
Develop comprehensive management plans to insure preservation, protection, and enhancement of habitats.
Plan, design and implement research studies on fish health and/or nutrition.
Analyze and report biological and/or genetic information affecting future selection, rearing, and spawning activities.
Prepare both quarterly progress and annual reports on run status and hatchery or fish facility operations.
Monitor and evaluate hatching, rearing and planting of fish.
Evaluate and monitor adult return rates.
Develop new rearing strategies.
Prepare fish habitat measurement plans or management plans for a watershed or large geographic area.
Diagnose various fish diseases or nutritional disorders in experimental populations or brood stock.
Develop modifications to existing health protocols as well as experimental protocols.
Write publishable reports of research and project findings.