Fishery Biologist 2- Snake River Monitoring

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission; Cook (WA); On-site; USD 67,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission seeks a Fishery Biologist 2 for Snake River monitoring in Cook, WA. The full-year, annual-contract role involves field and office duties, data management, and collaboration with USGS researchers.

Responsibilities include gear operation, telemetry, sampling, and analysis of life-stage abundance. Strong data skills, reliability, and ability to work independently in varied field conditions are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biological sciences or higher with relevant coursework.
• 1 year specialized experience or 2 years graduate education related to the position.
• Equivalent combination of experience and education accepted.

Responsibilities

• Lead and conduct field work to evaluate abundance and survival of fish species.
• Operate field equipment: backpack/barge electrofishing, traps, PIT tagging.
• Collect biological samples and habitat data (temp, flow, habitat metrics).
• Perform data organization, QA, and assist with data summaries and maps.
• Collaborate with a research team across western North America.
• Present findings at seminars/meetings and contribute to reports.

Skills

Physical strength

Driver's license

Habitat typing

Fish ageing

GIS software

Spreadsheet

Word processing

Database management

Statistical analysis

Behavioral analysis

Bibliographic software

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences

Tools

Spreadsheet software

Word processing software

Database management

GIS

Job description

Fishery Biologist 2- Snake River Monitoring

#26-1165

Cook, Washington, United States

Job Description

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is recruiting candidates to fill the role of a Fishery Biologist located at the USGS Columbia River Research Laboratory in Cook, WA. This position is considered full time, with a contract lasting one year that is likely to be extended from year to year.The preferred candidate should be able to accommodate a flexible schedule during the field season. This includes either 4 days on, 3 days off, 5 days on with weekends off, or an occasional 8 day on, 6 day off schedule as necessary, depending upon field activity. Winter schedule is typically a standard 5 day work week with weekends off, with some flexibility.

This project is designed to monitor fishery response of ESA listed Chinook salmon, steelhead, and bull trout relative to habitat conservation actions that are being implemented throughout the Columbia, Snake, and Sacramento river basins. Data generated from these studies will be used to further understand and evaluate the relationship between habitat capacity and freshwater survival and will help guide future restoration efforts using an adaptive management approach.

The selected candidate will be responsible for leading and conducting a range of field work activities aimed at evaluating life stage specific abundance and survival, including backpack and barge electrofishing, operating and maintaining rotary screw traps, operating adult fish traps and weirs, radio and acoustic telemetry, spawning ground surveys, PIT tagging of juvenile and adult salmonids, PIT tag array operation and maintenance, collecting biological samples, and collecting physical habitat data such as water temperature, flow, and general habitat characteristics. Office duties will include data organization and entry, data quality control, database management, assisting the lead USGS biologist in data summary, and preparation of figures and maps. 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 monitor freshwater life stages of anadromous fish is preferred. Applicants should be proficient with word processing, spreadsheet software, and databases.

Essential Functions:

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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 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, 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.
• valid driver's license
• habitat typing
• fish ageing (scale, otolith, other)
• 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

Columbia River Research Laboratory

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

$66,505-$104,610 annually

Closing Date

Oct 16, 2026

PSMFC participates in E-Verify. We consider all qualified candidates legally authorized to work in the United States and able to provide proof of eligibility. PSMFC is unable to support visa sponsorships or extensions.

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is an Affirmitive Action (AA) and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer, and welcomes all qualified applicants. Applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, genetic data, or other legally protected status.

If you have a disability and need assistance completing the application form, you may call the PSMFC Human Resources office at [phone] between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. PT, Monday-Friday. Reasonable accommodations for interviews will be provided upon request to individuals with disabilities.

We maintain a drug-free workplace.

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