Seasonal Biological Technician

Fishsciences; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 29,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Cramer Fish Sciences is seeking Seasonal Biological Technicians to support stream habitat surveys, salmon spawning surveys, and backpack electrofishing in the Pacific Northwest.

The role is field-based with 4–8 day rotations, camping up to 5 nights, and requires handling live fish, data collection, and safety in remote environments. October through December 2026 with travel across WA/OR.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in fisheries/science or related field preferred.
• Fish identification and safe handling experience essential.
• Excellent communication with crew and supervisors.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365.
• Valid driver's license.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and work long hours outdoors.
• Comfort working and camping in remote environments without cell service.

Responsibilities

• Team Player: work with crews of 2–3 daily on field tasks and camping rotations.
• Communication: coordinate with supervisor to meet project requirements.
• Field Work: long days in rugged terrain, hiking, wading streams, kayaking as needed.
• Fish Handling and Sampling: collect biological samples, document measurements, return fish with minimal stress.
• Data Collection and QA/QC: ensure accurate data entry and offloads.
• Adaptability: shift between projects and sites across Willamette Valley and Pacific Northwest.

Skills

Fish identification

Communication skills

MS Office

Driver's license

Teamwork

Field data collection

Education

Bachelor's degree in Fisheries Science, Ecology, Environmental Science, or related field

Job description

Cramer Fish Sciences (CFS) is seeking Seasonal Biological Technicians to support several current CFS projects in the Pacific Northwest. Primary work will include stream habitat surveys on remote headwater streams throughout Washington State, adult spring Chinook salmon spawning surveys in the upper Willamette Valley, and backpack electrofishing to document fish presence and distribution in headwater streams.

This seasonal position is anticipated to run from October through December 2026. Itis primarily field-based and involves physically demanding fieldwork, frequent travel, and extended periods working outdoors in remote settings, with limited office time dedicated to data entry, QA/QC, equipment maintenance, and project preparation. Regular field rotations of 4–8 days away from home base are expected, including up to 5 consecutive nights camping in remote areas. Seasonal technicians will support three primary tasks, listed in order of emphasis, along with other CFS projects as needed:

• Stream Habitat Surveys: Conduct habitat surveys on remote headwater streams in Washington State to characterize channel and habitat conditions near the upstream extent of fish distribution. Surveys involve long days hiking and wading small, steep channels, often off-trail, to measure habitat attributes such as channel gradient and bankfull width, document natural obstacles and other habitat features, and record survey locations with GPS.
• Adult Spring Chinook Spawning Surveys: Conduct spawning ground surveys in tributaries and mainstem reaches upstream of Detroit, Cougar, and Green Peter reservoirs in the upper Willamette River basin. Surveys involve long days hiking and wading streams or floating rivers by kayak to enumerate live spawners and redds and to sample carcasses. Carcass sampling includes scanning for PIT tags and coded wire tags, recording standard biological measurements (fork length, sex, origin), and collecting tissue samples (otoliths, scales, and fin clips) for age and genetic analysis.
• Backpack Electrofishing: Conduct backpack electrofishing surveys in coordination with habitat surveys to document fish presence and identify the upstream extent of fish distribution. Duties include operating electrofishers or netting following established protocols, identifying and measuring captured fish, and returning fish to the stream with minimal handling stress.
• Other CFS Projects: Depending on scheduling and project needs, technicians may assist with a variety of other ongoing CFS projects, which may include bulk PIT tagging of juvenile Chinook salmon at hatcheries in the Willamette Valley, snorkel surveys for juvenile salmonids, piscivore diet sampling, and Pacific lamprey trapping. Occasional night work may be required for some of these projects.

This is an excellent opportunity for early-career fisheries professionals to gain hands-on experience with a wide range of fisheries field sampling techniques.

Key Responsibilities:

• Team Player: Work with crews of 2–3 individuals daily to conduct field tasks. Extended travel rotations and camping require strong interpersonal skills, mutual support, and effective communication among crew members.
• Communication: Routine communication with supervisor and staff to ensure all requirements of the project are met and that project and personnel needs are addressed effectively and efficiently.
• Field Work: This role requires long days in the field in rugged and remote terrain under variable weather conditions including heat, cold, and rain. Work involves extended hiking, off-trail travel in steep headwater terrain, and kayak travel on rivers and streams, often in wildfire-prone landscapes and recently burned areas requiring situational awareness and strict adherence to field safety protocols. The position is physically and mentally demanding and requires resilience, sound judgment, and a positive attitude.
• Fish Handling and Biological Sampling: Use safe handling techniques and best practices when handling adult and juvenile fish, including fish captured by electrofishing. Carcass sampling duties include scanning for PIT and coded wire tags, recording length, sex, and origin, and collecting otolith, scale, and fin clip samples. When assisting with juvenile tagging, technicians will measure, weigh, and implant PIT tags in large numbers of juvenile Chinook.
• Data Collection and Management: Collect data following standard protocols with accuracy and precision. Will be responsible for accurate field data collection, data offloads, and data QA/QC.
• Adaptability: Multiple CFS projects are occurring simultaneously across the Willamette Valley and Pacific Northwest. Successful candidates will be flexible and willing to shift between project tasks and work sites as needed to support overall program goals.

Education/Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Fisheries Science, Ecology, Environmental Science, or related field preferred.
• Fish identification skills, safe fish handling, and biological data collection experience are essential.
• Excellent communication skills, both with the crew and with supervisors and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365.
• Valid driver's license.
• Ability to work long hours in all weather conditions and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Comfort working and camping in remote environments without cell service for extended periods.
• Ability to work well with others in physically demanding and sometimes stressful conditions.
• A positive attitude.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with stream habitat assessments and backpack electrofishing (formal electrofishing training a plus).
• Experience with spawning ground surveys and carcass sampling.
• Experience with PIT tagging, snorkel surveys, and biological sampling of salmonids.
• Backcountry navigation skills (GPS, map, and compass).
• Swift Water Training or river kayaking experience (additional on the job training will be provided to all selected candidates)
• Wilderness First Aid / CPR/First Aid certification
• Trailering skills.
• Experience with data QA/QC.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands:

• Must be able to fulfill the essential duties and responsibilities of this position.
• Must be comfortable working in forests, rivers, streams, and remote backcountry environments, including steep off-trail terrain, for extended periods.
• Must be able to work effectively and drive safely in inclement weather, including hot, cold, rain, fog, and smoky conditions.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
• Flexible hours including some weekends and evenings; travel to remote areas with field rotations of up to 8 days away from home base and up to 5 consecutive nights camping.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

$21 to $24 per hour, depending upon experience. Paid sick leave with accruals starting on first day of employment and voluntary 401(k) eligibility for company plan

ABOUT CRAMER FISH SCIENCES:

The mission of Cramer Fish Sciences is to provide quality, expert science which supports wise policy decisions and advances the field of natural resource management. We help clients in the Pacific Northwest and California find innovative and practical solutions to challenges with fisheries, riparian, and aquatic ecology.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION:

Cramer Fish Sciences is an Affymulative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability.