Shellfish Biologist II- Dive Safety Officer

Jamestown Sklallam Tribe•Sequim, WA

About The Position

The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe is hiring a Shellfish Biologist II – Dive Safety Officer to support the management, conservation, and enhancement of treaty-reserved shellfish resources throughout the Tribe’s usual and accustomed fishing area. Under the supervision of the Fisheries Program Manager, this position serves as the technical lead for intertidal and subtidal dive fisheries, particularly intertidal bivalves, geoduck, sea cucumber, and sea urchin fisheries. It also serves as the Tribe’s Dive Safety Officer, overseeing scientific dive operations and compliance with established dive safety standards. The primary area of interest is the eastern Strait of Juan de Fuca, from Green Point to Admiralty Head, within the broader Point No Point Treaty Area. The role combines fisheries management, field research, interagency collaboration, shellfish enhancement and aquaculture support, and oversight of scientific diving. It supervises the geoduck harvest monitor and periodically supervises other Fisheries Program technicians. The Tribe describes the position as an opportunity to contribute to marine conservation, sustainable fisheries management, Tribal sovereignty, and protection of treaty-reserved resources.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in biological sciences with course emphasis or experience in shellfish or marine biology or ecology.
Four years of professional experience in marine research or management.
Knowledge of Tribal fisheries programs in the Pacific Northwest.
Open Water Diver certification.
DAN O2 certification and experience conducting scientific diving operations in cold-water environments.
Exceptional interpersonal skills, including effective verbal and written communication.
Ability to demonstrate initiative and work independently with little supervision.
Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, relevant database software, and technical equipment.
Ability to travel locally and regionally as assigned.
Valid Washington State Driver’s License.
Ability to successfully pass a criminal background investigation.

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree.
Advanced diving certifications.

Responsibilities

Collect or access and analyze shellfish population data, review management options with other biologists, and recommend management options, harvest schedules, and proposed regulations to the Shellfish Management Biologist.
Notify Tribal fishers of fishery schedules, quotas or harvest limits, and regulations.
Monitor and evaluate harvest activities to support orderly harvesting and ensure harvest levels align with resource conservation and management agreements.
Prepare technical and harvest reports and maintain shellfish population and catch-accounting databases, including fish ticket entry and reconciliation.
Represent the Tribe in technical matters affecting shellfish and marine and coastal habitats through liaison with Tribal, State, and Federal fisheries officials and participation in interagency technical working groups.
Maintain current information on scientific and technical developments affecting Tribal shellfish resources.
Conduct shellfish habitat and population surveys for intertidal and subtidal species; monitor shellfish condition and water quality; collect and process biological data; and implement shellfish enhancement as required.
Research, purchase, and maintain field equipment and gear used for shellfish research and management.
Support planning of shellfish enhancement projects; design water-quality or marine-biotoxin sampling regimes; track data and communicate about ongoing monitoring; and perform tasks and reporting related to shellfish sanitation requirements.
Provide technical support to Tribal shellfish aquaculture operations as needed.
Ensure diving complies with the Tribe’s Dive Operations Manual; approve and monitor scientific dive operations; maintain divers’ administrative and dive-related medical records and staff diving equipment records, including maintenance and service records.
Schedule periodic dive proficiency training and maintain and recommend changes to the Tribe’s Dive Operations Manual.
Organize, implement, and maintain records for certification, proficiency training, and medical examinations of Staff and Tribal fishery divers as outlined in Jamestown Tribal Fishing Code Section 6.06.07(B);1-10.
Supervise the geoduck harvest monitor and periodically supervise other Fisheries Program technicians; coordinate the monitor’s schedule, including biotoxin sample collection, and arrange monitors for selected Tribal shellfish harvest activities.
Supervise entry and dissemination of catch and biological data and ensure JST policies, procedures, and workplace practices are followed.