Fisheries Biologist 1, PFBC

Commonwealth-of-Pennsylvania; Avonia (PA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is hiring a Fisheries Biologist 1 in the Lake Erie Unit, headquartered in Fairview, Pennsylvania, for a full-time, permanent appointment. You will support lake assessment programs, gather biological information, perform sampling and data entry, maintain survey equipment, and help prepare annual reports.

The role includes safety oversight, outreach at events, and coordination with inter-jurisdictional partners; PA residency requirements and clearances

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a biological science that includes 12 college credits in fish biology, fisheries management, fish population dynamics, ichthyology, limnology, fish ecology, aquatic ecology, watershed ecology and management or related fields.
• Equivalent combination of experience and training that includes 12 college credits in fish biology, fisheries management, fish population dynamics, ichthyology, limnology, fish ecology, aquatic ecology, watershed ecology and management or related fields.

Responsibilities

• Research Operations: Assist with vessel navigation, sampling activities, and adherence to assessment protocols
• Equipment Maintenance: Maintain nets, trawls, limnological gear, and navigational systems used for lake research
• Biological Sampling: Process fish samples, perform dissections, and prepare data for analysis
• Data Management: Enter research data into agency databases and assemble information for annual reports
• Safety Oversight: Monitor safety procedures for vessels, vehicles, and facilities within the unit
• Public Engagement: Participate in outreach events and represent the agency in inter-jurisdictional programs

Education

Bachelor’s degree in biological science with 12 college credits in fish biology or related fisheries science

Equivalent combination of experience and training including 12 college credits in related fisheries science

Job description

Are you a dedicated, hard-working individual with a passion for fisheries management? If so, consider joining the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) in a full-time, permanent Fisheries Biologist 1 position with Fisheries Management Area 9 (Lake Erie Unit), headquartered in Fairview, Pennsylvania. This position offers hands-on work with lake assessment programs and scientific equipment, such as gathering vital biological information that supports fish management and conservation. Take advantage of this opportunity to build a rewarding future in public service and environmental stewardship.

This role supports research operations, vessel readiness, and biological assessments that guide fisheries management on Lake Erie and connecting waterways. As a Fisheries Biologist 1, you will perform the following duties:

• Research Operations: Assist with vessel navigation, sampling activities, and adherence to assessment protocols
• Equipment Maintenance: Maintain nets, trawls, limnological gear, and navigational systems used for lake research
• Biological Sampling: Process fish samples, perform dissections, and prepare data for analysis
• Data Management: Enter research data into agency databases and assemble information for annual reports
• Safety Oversight: Monitor safety procedures for vessels, vehicles, and facilities within the unit
• Public Engagement: Participate in outreach events and represent the agency in inter-jurisdictional programs

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework:You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Fairview. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary:In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree in a biological science that includes or is supplemented by 12 college credits in fish biology, fisheries management, fish population dynamics, ichthyology, limnology, fish ecology, aquatic ecology, watershed ecology and management, wetland ecology and management, herpetology, freshwater entomology, fish culture, fish physiology, fish pathology, biometrics, or other courses closely related to fisheries science or aquatic ecology; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes 12 college credits in fish biology, fisheries management, fish population dynamics, ichthyology, limnology, fish ecology, aquatic ecology, watershed ecology and management, wetland ecology and management, herpetology, freshwater entomology, fish culture, fish physiology, fish pathology, biometrics, or other courses closely related to fisheries science or aquatic ecology.

Special Requirements:

• This position requires possession of a valid motor vehicle license.

Other Requirements:

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
  • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.