The posting
Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is recruiting candidates to fill the role of a Fishery Biologist 2 to work closely with U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) researchers at the Klamath Falls Field Station (KFFS) on juvenile suckers. This is a full-time, benefits eligible position with an anticipated start date of January 4th, 2027.
The USGS Klamath Falls Field Station (KFFS) conducts research on rare and imperiled fishes in the Klamath Basin, helping managers make informed decisions about resource use in a sensitive arid ecosystem.
The incumbent would join a collaborative team of biologists and data managers, with room to make meaningful parts of the project your own. The USGS Klamath Falls Field Station team has been tracking individual Lost River and Shortnose suckers — two long-lived, endangered fish species — for more than two decades, and is growing an acoustic telemetry program to better understand their movement and survival. Spend your summers doing hands-on juvenile sucker fieldwork, then pivot the rest of the year into acoustic telemetry, genetics, and data analysis. What makes this data special is the ability to track individual suckers across their entire life cycle — this role focuses on the juvenile piece of that story, working to understand why so few juveniles survive to join the adult population. A strong candidate for this position would have a master’s degree or doctorate in fisheries biology, ecology, or a closely related field, supplemented by relevant professional, research, or postdoctoral experience. We're looking for someone who's a strong team player with the grit to see a project through to completion.
Please pay close attention to the required application materials and the closing disclaimer in the below sections.
Closing Disclaimer:
PSMFC will not accept resumes or cover letters for any position once the job announcement has been removed from the Careers Page. PSMFC will begin reviewing submitted applications the week of November 16, 2026 and may begin interviewing as soon as the week of November 23, 2026. PSMFC reserves the right to remove a job announcement at any time for any reason or close the position prior to the posted close date once a sufficient number of applicants have been received.
Group Definition: Fishery Biologists use professional knowledge and competence in the science of fishery biology to perform work: (a) developing, conserving, propagating, managing, and administering fishery resources; (b) evaluating the impact of construction projects and other socioeconomic activities that present potential or actual adverse effects on fishery resources and their habitat; and (c) producing and managing aquatic resources in their natural habitat and/or within facilities and systems that have been constructed for their benefit and public use.
Position/Project Specifics: This position offers an opportunity to contribute to long-term research supporting the recovery of endangered Lost River and Shortnose suckers in the Klamath Basin. Working with the USGS KFFS, you'll help researchers better understand sucker survival, movement, and habitat use, information that supports species recovery and water-management decisions. The station's long-term monitoring program tracks individual fish using Passive Integrated Transponder tag (PIT-tag) and is expanding its acoustic telemetry efforts to better understand fish movement and survival. This research provides a valuable foundation for connecting juvenile recruitment, adult survival, and lake conditions to the broader challenge of sucker recovery.
The incumbent’s primary responsibility will be coordinating a single research project centered on juvenile sucker monitoring, working as part of an established and collaborative research team. The project involves standardized field sampling, aging, and genetic species identification of juvenile suckers across Upper Klamath Lake and/or Clear Lake Reservoir, which occurs primarily during the summer field season; field leads carry out the majority of hands-on field sampling, while this position coordinates the broader research effort, including data management support, analysis, and reporting of results following the field season.
Outside of the juvenile sampling season, this position will support a variety of other station needs as they arise, depending on current priorities. This additional work may include: supporting acoustic telemetry efforts, such as maintaining receiver arrays, assisting with tagging operations, and analyzing detection data as it comes in; contributing to writing and analysis on other station projects; scanning for PIT tags at piscivorous bird colonies; and supporting adult sucker sampling in the spring. The specific mix of additional work will vary by season and station need.
Essential Functions: PSMFC is seeking a Fisheries Biologist 2 who is comfortable performing most of the tasks below. The ideal candidate will have experience performing independent field research and monitoring.
At the lower end of the range, Fishery Biologists 2:
- Follows 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.
- Develop age composition structures, stock assessments, escapement totals, harvest levels, run reconstruction frameworks, and/or run forecasts 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 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.
- Plan, design, schedule, and conduct fish catch and effort surveys for marine fisheries. Utilize existing general sucker sampling protocols and determine modifications that address specific marine fisheries conditions or special fisheries. Assist with database presentations of the data collected. Prepare reports and presentations as requested. Provide expertise in improvements to the design of sucker sampling methods
- 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. 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 2 has to:
- 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 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.
Knowledge Required by the Position:
- Knowledge of fishery biology (including knowledge of catostomid).
- 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.
Additional Mandatory Skills :
- Lift 40-50 lbs.
- Load boats on trailers
- Tow & maneuver trailers
- Electronic detection technol
- Fish ageing (scale, otolith, other)
- Fish species ID skills
- Valid driver’s license
- Specific software (spreadsheet, word processing, database management, GIS, statistical analysis, bibliographic)
- Ability to code in R or Python for data management and analysis.
- Oral communication skills
- Written communication skills
Additional Desirable Skills:
- Snorkeling
- Electrofishing-boat
- Electrofishing-backpack
- Using fish keys
- Operate trap/weir
- Operate nets (seine, gill, etc)
- Able to swim
- Operate motorized boats
- Operate non-motorized boats
- Hiking operate GPS
- CPR/First Aid
- Literature search/review
Physical Demands:
The work is sedentary with moderate walking between workstations and carrying folders, reports, and similar light loads.
Work Environment:
The work is performed in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating and ventilation. There are the normal risks of an office environment.
PSMFC is an EEO/AAP employer. We maintain a drug free workplace.
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 fisheries biology, ecology, or a closely related field.
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.
To work with USGS Data Systems, the Candidate must also meet the below minimum requirements
- Federal System Access: Must meet federal eligibility requirements to access and utilize federal data systems.
- Citizenship & Residency: Due to federal security mandates, this position requires U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency (Green Card holder) maintained for a minimum of three consecutive years.
- Background Investigation: Position is contingent upon the successful completion of a comprehensive federal agency background investigation.
- Driving Clearance: Offers of employment for positions located in Oregon are contingent upon supplying and clearing an MVR check. The selected candidate must provide PSMFC with a copy of their 3-Year Oregon Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) and are responsible for all associated DMV fees.
Required Applications Materials
Applications that do not include material listed under Requirement A, B, and C will be considered incomplete.
- Requirement A – Resume: Resume (max 6 pages) that clearly demonstrates relevant education and experience.
- Requirement B – Cover Letter: Explain your interest in this specific position and how your background and career goals align with the role, the long-term sucker dataset, and the KFFS research program. The cover letter should communicate your interest in contributing to endangered species recovery and informing management decisions, rather than restating your CV.
- Requirement C – Technical Responses: Submit two examples of completed products (in any combination of data products, technical reports, or peer-reviewed journal articles) in which you played a significant role in their development. Include a brief summary of each product (no more than one page per product) describing the product, your role in producing it, and its relevance to management or decision-making.
