Fishery Biologist 2 – Field Logistics

FISHBIO; Klamath Falls (OR); On-site; USD 65,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Fishbio Environmental Llc is seeking a Fishery Biologist to coordinate a plant research project focused on adult sucker monitoring across Upper Klamath Lake and/or Clear Lake Reservoir. The role involves spring and late-fall field seasons, PIT-tag work, and field crew management to ensure reliable detection arrays and data collection.

The ideal candidate will have experience leading field crews, background in acoustic telemetry, and ability to contribute to analysis and reporting of population

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biological science with aquatic subjects and animal sciences coursework.
• 1 year of specialized experience or 2 years of progressively higher graduate education for lower end.
• 1 year of specialized experience or 3 years of grad education or PhD for upper end.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate field sampling, aging, and genetic ID of adult/juvenile suckers.
• Manage field crew schedules and PIT tag equipment installation/maintenance.
• Support acoustic telemetry efforts and data analysis.
• Assist writing and presentation of research findings.
• Conduct habitat assessments and contribute to reports and publications.

Skills

Bachelor's background in biology

Education

Bachelor's degree in biological science

Job description

Description: This position offers the opportunity to contribute to research on rare and imperiled fishes in the Klamath Basin, generating information that helps managers make informed decisions about resource use in a sensitive arid ecosystem. You’ll work within a long-term research program that has tracked endangered Lost River and Shortnose suckers for decades using PIT tags as part of a capture-recapture effort, while contributing to an expanding acoustic telemetry program investigating seasonal movement, survival, and habitat use. Through this work, you’ll help connect adult survival, juvenile recruitment, and lake conditions to sucker recovery actions and water-management decisions in the Basin.

The incumbent’s primary responsibility will be coordinating a single research project centered on adult sucker monitoring, working as part of an established and collaborative research team. The project involves standardized field sampling, aging, and genetic species identification of adult and juvenile suckers across Upper Klamath Lake and/or Clear Lake Reservoir, which occurs primarily during the spring and late fall field season. This position also manages and coordinates field crew schedules to install and maintain remote PIT tag detection equipment and seasonal field sampling events, and manages day-to-day maintenance on boats and vehicles to ensure continuous operation and availability to accommodate the busy field schedule.

Outside of the adult 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 juvenile sucker sampling in the summer months when needed. The specific mix of additional work will vary by season and station need. The ideal candidate will have experience leading or co-leading field crew, have work experience with acoustic telemetry.

Responsibilities

At the lower end of the range, Fishery Biologists 2:

• Follow 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. Utilize existing general sucker survey 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 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:

• Use biological information to evaluate run profiles and habitat suitability in stocked streams within a major geographical area. Develop comprehensive management plans to ensure 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.

Qualifications:

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 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.