Position/Project Specifics:

This is a full time Fishery Biologist (Biologist) position with the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission. The Biologist will work closely within a team environment, including Western Fisheries Research Center (WFRC) staff, PSMFC staff, and external partners. The Biologist will be compiling and summarizing/analyzing Klamath Fish data, including fish tagging data, that inform species assessment and restoration actions. The Biologist will be working in collaboration with partners, who represent ongoing work from 30 different monitoring programs across about 15,000 square miles.  The Biologist will work with WFRC staff on fish projects and focus on compiling and summarizing data and ensuring that quality data are accessible to partners.

The Biologist will contribute data to the Klamath fish tracking database and work with USGS and PSMFC staff managing these data systems. To effectively extract, summarize and evaluate data the Biologist will need to utilize scripts (SQL, R, Python) to convert data and perform analysis and generate graphics for reports and presentations. The Biologist will work as part of a team that monitors and conducts research on adult and juvenile endangered suckers in the Klamath Basin and other priority species.

The successful candidate will demonstrate knowledge of data management and analysis. They should be able to think and work independently, self-learn, and be self-motivated to complete tasks with little direct supervision. In addition, they must be detail oriented and work independently to identify and resolve data problems. The position requires developing and maintaining working relationships with a wide-range of colleagues and partners that have a diversity of expertise related to natural resources. The successful candidate must be comfortable working on multiple tasks, able to re-prioritize their work, be a proven team player, and understand the criteria for respectful collaboration.

Essential Functions:  

• Included in this band are professional positions that perform recurring assignments ranging from moderate difficulty where conventional or straight-forward biological concerns are encountered to complex assignments where specialized knowledge and demonstrated competence in advanced techniques are required. The functions listed below are characteristic of the type and level of work associated with this group and pay band. They are not all-inclusive. Individual positions may perform some or all, as well as other similar work.
• Design data collection forms for capturing fish data, including electronic forms on field tablets, and set up databases for integration of different data types and sources. Compile, summarize and analyze data for reports, prepare graphics, contribute to publications and presentations, and present results at stakeholder and professional meetings. Create maps to represent data collection locations and results.
• Evaluate and direct efforts and reporting practices to best meet data requirements. Recommend modifications of existing approaches and protocols. Document processes and summarize information to effectively communicate information to internal colleagues and external partners, including tribal, federal, state, and non-profit organizations.
• Use biological information to evaluate target fish species within the Klamath Basin. Plan and design data collection, management, analysis, and summary graphics and reports. Reports may include quarterly progress reports, annual reports, scientific publications and presentations on the status of target fish species.
• Contribute as a team member in identifying options for addressing needs related to data quality and analysis.
• Respectfully interact with fish management and research staff, database designers, and programmers. Serve as liaison with USGS staff.
• Effectively communicate (written and verbal) with a variety of partners about data issues and results.
• At the lower end of the range, Fishery Biologists have a solid working knowledge of established scientific methods and techniques to perform recurring assignments of moderate difficulty.  Methods and techniques are well established, apply to most situations, and do not require significant deviations.  Resource planning reports generated by employees at this level involve conventional biological concerns.  Reports generated may be short-range management plans or portions of annual work plans. 

Lower range work examples include:

• Following existing protocols for fish collection, analyses, identification, and monitoring of fish populations. Recommend modifications of existing research and monitoring protocols. Design data collection forms and set up 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. 
• Develop data visualization and analysis using fish data, such as for age composition structures, population abundance, survival assessments, sampling maps, for designated fish species and stock. Evaluate and direct sampling efforts or reporting practices to best meet data requirements. Write memoranda and reports necessary for transfer of information to the appropriate individuals, agencies, and organizations. 
• Plan, schedule, and conduct evaluations of experimental fish populations. Oversee and assist with 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. 
• Plan, design, schedule, and conduct fish surveys for natural populations and fisheries. Utilize existing general protocols and determine modifications that address specific fish and fisheries conditions. Work with tribal, state, federal and regional fishery management councils to provide data on population trends as well as biology of fish species. Work with biologists in relation to population and fisheries-specific data utilized in their assessments. Assist with database presentations of the data collected. Prepare reports and presentations as requested. Provide expertise in improvements to the design of surveys 
• Conduct limited physical and biological watershed, stream, and fish habitat assessments. Responsible for conducting data investigation and research, drafting technical reports, database management, GIS for all physical and biological data, and survey and inventory results. Prepare, present, implement and update watershed assessment plans. 
• Assist in writing contract proposals and progress reports. Assist in developing detailed contract specifications, task statements, quality of work criteria, and other specifications. 
• Monitor budget expenses for projects, control purchasing, and manage equipment inventories.

At the upper end of the range, the Fishery Biologist has specialized knowledge and demonstrated competence in advanced techniques of a complex area of fish biology sufficient to serve as a troubleshooter or specialist.  The employee is competent to modify or adapt standard techniques, processes and procedures, and to assess, select, apply precedents and devise strategies and plans to overcome significant problems related to species production, protection, habitat restoration, or program management and evaluation. Planning reports generated by employees at this level assess the impact of various multi-faceted management or public practices on a resource.

Upper range work examples include:

• Use biological information to evaluate fish populations in streams and lakes within a major geographical area. Develop comprehensive plans to ensure preservation, protection, and enhancement of habitats. 
• Plan, design and implement research studies on fish population dynamics including growth and survival, and habitat action effectiveness. Analyze and report biological and/or tagging information affecting future management activities. 
• Prepare both quarterly progress and annual reports. 
• Monitor and evaluate fish stocking and population.
• Prepare fish habitat measurement plans for a watershed or large geographic area. 
• Write first-author publishable reports of research and project findings. 

DESIRED EXPERIENCE (course work or job-related):

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental science, fisheries management, or other related natural resources degree.  
• Experience or course work in field-based fish monitoring, research methods, statistical analysis/methods, and technical writing. Knowledge of GIS and ArcGIS Pro (maps) and ESRI Online tools such as field data capture using Survey 123, is a plus.
• Five years of experience conducting fish field-based sampling using a diversity of nets, electrofishing, collection of specimens including genetic samples, aging fish using otoliths and fin rays, and other sampling techniques is preferred.
• Experience sampling and working with endangered fish species, such as Lost River and shortnose suckers, is a plus.  
• Experience with fish weir and PIT tag antennas, including installation for effective data collection is preferred.
• Experience working with computers and software packages and applications for databases, spreadsheets, and word processing.
• Proficiency in using scripts (e.g. R, SQL, Python, Excel, Access) to generate reports, figures and data summarizing is preferred.
• Knowledge of data management concepts, principles, and methods, and quality assurance principles
• Experience working with tribes, federal, state natural resources agencies, interstate compacts, and a broader diversity of stakeholders is a plus.

Knowledge Required by the Position: 

• Knowledge of fishery biology 
• 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
• presentation software
• database software
• statistical analysis packages.
• Knowledge of technical writing protocols.
• Knowledge of advanced statistical analysis and mathematics.

Additional Mandatory Skills:                  

• Valid Driver's License
• Electrofishing-backpack                                     
• Operate trap/weir/PIT Tag arrays                                
• Electronic detection technology (PIT Tags, telemetry, other)                  
• Hiking      
• Able to swim                                                               
• Fish ageing (fin rays, scale, otolith, other)        
• Fish species ID skills               
• Specific software (spreadsheet, word processing, Postgres/SQL Server/Access, database management, GIS, statistical analysis)
• Oral communication skills                              
• Written communication skills              

Additional Desirable Skills:   

• Tow & maneuver trailers       
• Operate non-motorized boats  
• Electrofishing boat     
• CPR/First Aid                                                                  

NOTE: State date is dependent on funding start date

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

A range of education and experience may be presented.  At the lower end of the range, candidates must present 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.  In addition to the undergraduate degree requirement, candidates for positions at the lower end of the range must also present 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.

At the upper end of the range, in addition to the undergraduate course of study described above, candidates must also must present 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.

**Specialized Experience is experience that equips the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position being filled.  To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.