Oregon Plan Monitoring Surveyor (Biological Science Assistant)

State of Oregon • Corvallis, OR

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This is a full-time, permanent position based out of Corvallis, Oregon. This position will perform fish and habitat surveys in streams and rivers throughout Oregon. The primary responsibilities of this position will be to conduct field surveys and assist in the implementation of the statewide inventory project to provide quantitative assessments of habitat in streams and standing waters and information on fish species composition, distribution, and abundance in streams throughout Oregon.

Requirements

• Ability to conduct field work under a variety of weather conditions ranging from heat in summer to cold in winter.
• Experience (e.g., fish sampling, conducting habitat surveys, hydrology, or biological sampling)
• Must be self-motivated, willing to work under a variety of conditions, and responsible for the quality of data collected
• Anyone who possesses or are in pursuit of a Fisheries or Wildlife Science degree or related degree in biological/ecological sciences.
• Comfortable communicating with team members and the public
• Must maintain their own schedule, decide how to safely and efficiently access and work in streams and estuary, and collect data following a complex protocol.
• Must work independently, often in remote areas.
• Surveyors may be able to contact a field supervisor by phone or email only once per week and be visited in the field only once every two to three weeks.
• Driving is required for this position.
• Within three days of hire, applicants will be required to complete the U.S. Department Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States.
• ODFW participates in E-Verify.
• ODFW is not able to support VISA sponsorships.

Nice To Haves

• Preference for interviews may be given to candidates with these skills and background

Responsibilities

• Conducting spawning ground surveys by locating, driving to, and walking or using a non-motorized boat in selected stream reaches to count salmonids in remote sites.
• Obtaining gender, length, and biological samples from spawned or dead salmon.
• Describing channel morphology and instream habitat characteristics.
• Conducting in-stream flow studies to determine the flows necessary to provide habitat for fish to spawn, rear, and migrate.
• Accurately and clearly transcribing field data to appropriate data forms.
• Completing map work, verifying data, and labeling photos in the office.
• Locating sites with a map, compass, and global positioning system (GPS).
• Communicating with landowners to obtain permission to conduct surveys.
• Organizing and mounting scale samples to prepare for reading.
• Hiking into and along streams daily. (Walk 0.75 – 1.5 miles of stream daily 4 days/week).
• Working in hot, cold, rainy weather and over rough terrain.
• Occasionally camping or backpacking in remote areas.

Benefits

• 11 paid holidays a year and a competitive benefits package
• Advancement and learning opportunities that will help grow your career with the State of Oregon

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree