The posting
Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is recruiting candidates who are highly motivated and detail oriented to fill a Fishery Biologist position to assist with leading a field survey crew operating rotary screw traps on both the Lower American and Sacramento Rivers.
The survey season extends from December through June and the position will be full-time, seasonal and based in Sacramento, CA. In collaboration with the Supervisory Fishery Biologist, the Biologist will supervise crew members while conducting daily field activities and data collection using rotary screw traps to monitor the emigration of juvenile Chinook Salmon.
This will include but is not limited to identifying various fish species, assessing life stage and run, collecting environmental data, and maintaining field equipment. The candidate will demonstrate safety consciousness and train crew members on all safety and data collection protocols. The candidate must be able to conduct physically challenging field work in potentially stressful situations, all while maintaining a positive attitude and encouraging crew members to do the same. The candidate must be willing to work in inclement weather and be willing to work weekends and overtime. This position will require working with multiple agencies, technicians, and biologists, so having good interpersonal skills are required. Together with the Supervisory Fishery Biologist, the Biologist will help compile and analyze data, develop annual reports, and maintain proper scientific collecting permits.
Duties and responsibilities include:
- Lead and manage a 2-3 person crew in daily field operations
- Operate and maintain 16 and 18 foot motorized water craft and 4WD trucks
- Operate and maintain 8-foot tandem rotary screw traps
- Identify, handle, anesthetize, and collect biological data from juvenile fish species
- Handle endangered or threatened fish species according to permits and protocols
- Assist with daily QA/QC of data
- Maintain proper scientific collecting permits
- Develop monthly and annual reports
Mandatory Qualifications:
- Must be able to lift 50 lbs.
- Ability to swim 50 yards and tread water for 10 minutes
- Ability to communicate efficiently and provide oral and written directions
- Knowledge of fishery biology (including fish species identification skills)
- Knowledge of computer applications and software (Excel, Access, Word, Outlook, R)
- Knowledge of writing technical reports
- Must be able to read, write, and speak English
- Ability to identify juvenile Chinook Salmon and Steelhead
- Must be comfortable working from, operating, and trailering motorized watercraft
- Must have a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record
- Previous supervisory or crew lead experience
- Knowledge of Salmonid biology and life history
- Juvenile fish trapping and handling experience
- Knowledge of mark-recapture methods and theory
- Ability to operate and trailer a motorized watercraft
Essential Functions: (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 under close to general supervision.)
- Lead and participate in survey crews that conduct fishery presence/absence research, recreational/commercial fishing surveys, anadromous fish escapement surveys (carcass, redd, trap/weir, snorkel, etc.), or tag detection and mark recovery surveys.
- Make standardized observations such as species identification, length, weight, behavior, growth, survival, reproductive condition, and/or signs of parasites, diseases or pathogens, fin clips or tags.
- Lead and perform data entry for data from recovered tags, representative biological samples, telemetry devices, oceanographic data, fish tickets, commercial landing estimates, logbooks, scale cards, port sampling, onboard observers, etc.
- Error check the data, maintain and update database, analyze and organize data in the appropriate format (table, spreadsheet, memorandum, or report) necessary for transfer to individuals, agencies, and organizations. Modify software programs and perform data queries. Prepare summary reports to transfer data.
- Assist researchers in investigations of long term and short term fisheries resource management problems. Collect biological samples, record data, perform routine analyses of data, and contribute draft sections to scientific papers for publication.
- Assist in design, development, and installation of components of naturalistic environments. Assist with analysis of the behavior of different species in simulated environments. Videotape, photograph, and record data for characteristics such as growth, health, fitness, social activity, reproductive success, foraging success, and anti-predator behavior.
- Establish and direct sport, commercial, hatchery, and natural spawn sampling and bio-sampling protocols to best meet data requirements.
Knowledge Required by the Position: At the lower end of the range, employees use knowledge of basic arithmetic, reading, writing, and data collection to perform routine or repetitive tasks. At the upper end of the position range, employees use knowledge of the basic principles and protocols of fish biology to make readings, measurements, and observations; execute tests; collect samples, etc. If complex equipment systems are operated, the employee has the knowledge to perform calibrations or adjustments to achieve desired results.
Physical Demands: Demands can range from moderate -- where there is walking, climbing stairs and ladders, reaching, lifting, bending, and strenuous sweeping -- to rigorous. In the latter case, the incumbent must be able to handle buckets of water or gear weighing up to 50 pounds. Long daily periods of hiking, carrying equipment, swimming, and/or standing may be required. Some work requires the ability to maintain footing in fast-moving water.
Work Environment: A portion of the work is performed in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating and ventilation. The majority is performed in fish processing labs, fish holding areas, and/or in the field. Incumbents may work on narrow, elevated walkways and platforms that are over or adjacent to water. Field work involves exposure to all types of weather, slippery rocks, trails, irregular terrain, insects, poison oak, rough or fast-moving water, or cold water temperatures. Work at high elevations or aboard boats may be required.
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. An equivalent combination of experience and education is also qualifying.
At the upper end of the range, candidates must present one year of Specialized Experience** OR a year of graduate education that is directly related to the work of the position.
**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.
