Fishery Biologist 2 - Marrowstone

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is recruiting candidates to fill the role of Fisheries Biologist 2 located at the USGS Marrowstone Marine Field Station in Norland, Washington. This is a full-year, full-time benefits eligible position with a contract lasting one year that is likely to be extended from year to year. The projected start date is June 1st, 2026. 

 

This project is designed to understand and mitigate the impacts of infectious and parasitic diseases to populations of marine and anadromous fishes. Data generated from these studies will be used to further understand and evaluate causes of mortality in populations of wild marine fishes and to parameterize fisheries assessment models used to adjust fishery harvest limits. The selected candidate will be responsible for leading and conducting a range of physical plant activities and improvements that are necessary for field and laboratory processes including the production of specific-pathogen-free marine fishes, facilitating controlled pathogen exposure experiments, fabricating specialty experimental equipment and infrastructure, and maintaining the scientific infrastructure necessary for these activities. Office duties will include maintaining essential equipment and infrastructure, ensuring the laboratory and field safety compliances, and generally facilitating data collection with other scientists. The selected candidate will participate as a member of a research team conducting studies throughout western North America.

Applicants should be detail-oriented with a strong work ethic, organized, self-motivated, and able to work independently with little supervision. Previous experience with methods described above that are used to ensure the seamless operation of equipment and facilities at a marine research facility with a flowing seawater system. Applicants should have broad mechanical abilities, able to work in a rural location, be familiar with flowing seawater systems, and able to be on call and respond to emergencies. They should also be able to accommodate a flexible schedule.

 

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.) 

 

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 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 creel survey protocols and determine modifications that address specific marine fisheries conditions or special fisheries. Work with state, federal and regional fishery management councils to provide data on fisheries catch and effort and population trends as well as biology of marine fish species. Work with stock assessment biologists in relation to fisheries-specific data utilized in their stock assessments. Assist with database presentations of the data collected. Prepare reports and presentations as requested. Provide expertise in improvements to the design of creel surveys
• 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 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 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 both quarterly progress and annual reports on run status and hatchery or fish facility operations.
• Monitor and evaluate hatching, rearing and planting of fish. Evaluate and monitor adult return rates. Develop new rearing strategies.
• 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 particular species of fish) .
• Knowledge of microbiology.
• Knowledge of fish husbandry.
• 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

 

Additional Mandatory Skills:  

• lift 40-50 lbs.                                      
• valid driver's license
• fish species ID skills               
• specific software (spreadsheet, word processing, database management, GIS, statistical analysis, behavioral analysis, bibliographic)
• oral communication skills                              
• written communication skills              

Physical Demands:
Demands generally range from sedentary to moderate --where there is walking, climbing stairs and ladders, reaching, lifting, bending, or extended periods of standing. Some Fishery Biologists in this range have rigorous physical demands where they must be able to handle buckets of water or gear weighing from 40 - 50 pounds, engage in long daily periods of hiking, camp out for extended periods, or maintain footing in fast-moving water.

Work Environment:
Some work is performed in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating and ventilation. Some work may be performed in a laboratory setting which exposes the biologist to odors, chemicals, fish blood, and molds. The employee must use safety precautions including MSDS, gloves, hood, and eye protection. Some employees 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 or docks, 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.

 

Qualifications

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.