Fishery Biologist 2- Food Web Ecology

PSMFC; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits

Job summary

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission seeks a Fishery Biologist 2 to support ecology and life-history research on salmonids in Seattle, WA. The role is full-time with benefits and a one-year contract, likely renewed annually, starting November 16, 2026.

Embedded in the Ecology Life History Lab, duties include processing samples, diet analyses, isotopic work, and data analysis. Independent work and proficiency with word-processing and spreadsheets are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biological science with aquatic subjects; 1 year specialized experience OR 2 years of progressively higher graduate education.
• Upper-end requires one year of specialized experience OR 3 years of graduate education leading to PhD or equivalent.
• Equivalent combination of experience and education is qualifying.

Responsibilities

• Process biological samples and assess life-history characteristics.
• Conduct diet analysis and identify prey items for trophic-dynamics research.
• Prepare samples for stable isotope analysis and bomb calorimetry.
• Data collection, data processing, wet-lab experiments, and reporting.

Skills

Fish biology

Data analysis

Lab techniques

Digital imaging

Education

Bachelor's degree in biological science

Master's or PhD in related field

Tools

GIS

Word processing

Spreadsheet software

Job description

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is recruiting candidates to fill the role ofa Fishery Biologist 2 at the USGS Western Fisheries Research Center (WFRC) in Seattle, WA.This position is full‑time, benefits-eligible with a one‑year contract that is likely to be extended annually. The anticipated start date is November 16th, 2026.

The role supports research on the ecology and life history of salmonids and other Pacific Northwest species from freshwater and marine environments, spanning multiple trophic levels. The position is embedded within the Ecology Life History Lab focusing on Age, Growth, and Food Web Dynamics. They routinely process and analyze otoliths, scales, fin rays, diet samples, zooplankton, drift samples, and other biological materials relevant to threatened fish, their predators, competitors, and prey.

Primary duties include processing biological samples, assessing life‑history characteristics, and supporting food‑web and bioenergetics research. A key responsibility of this position is conducting diet analysis of various predators (both fish and avian), including identification of prey species such as freshwater and marine fishes and invertebrates, and quantifying diet composition to support trophic‑dynamics research. Analysis of otoliths and scales requires processing, measuring and interpreting life‑history characteristics from digital microscopic images. Diet analysis requires accurate taxonomic identification of prey items across diverse habitats. Additional laboratory duties include preparing samples for stable isotope analysis and conducting bomb calorimetry for bioenergetics modeling. General tasks include sample and data collection, sample processing, wet‑lab experiments, care of live fish, maintenance of lab equipment, data entry, data analysis, and contributions to reports and publications.

Applicants should be detail‑oriented, organized, self‑motivated, and able to work independently with minimal supervision. Prior experience with the sample processing and analytical techniques described above and with digital imaging software is preferred. Applicants should be proficient with word‑processing and spreadsheet software.

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
• e‑mail
• publishing software
• presentation software
• database software
• topographic software
• bibliographic software
• statistical analysis packages.
• Knowledge of technical writing protocols.
• Knowledge of advanced statistical analysis and mathematics.

Additional Mandatory Skills:

• valid driver's license
• specific software (spreadsheet, word processing, database management, GIS, statistical analysis, behavioral analysis, bibliographic)

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

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.

Location

12 months or more

Position Type

Full-Year

Travel Requirements

0% - 25%

Full-Year Employees working at least 30 hours a week are covered by the Company's Life, LTD and AD&D plan. They are eligible to enroll in medical, dental and vision insurance, as well as short term disability, voluntary Life, LTD and AD&D insurance, flexible spending and deferred compensation. An employee receives up to 120 hours of vacation during their first three years of service. After that, the amount of vacation increases every three years of service up to a maximum of 192 hours per year.

Driving

State Vehicle - Valid driver's license required. Offers of employment contingent upon passing driving records check.

Salary Target

$69,