The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is looking for a Fisheries Biologist to support the Ocean Salmon Project's (OSP) role in meeting the state's Constant Fractional Marking Program's coded-wire tag (CWT) recovery requirements, meeting state and federal mandates for producing reports, analyzing and evaluating the performance of ocean salmon fisheries, and meeting ESA guidelines and management objectives outlined by the federal Fishery Management Plan.

Duties may include:

• Analyze and evaluate environmental and fishery data; develop and maintain databases; coordinate data entry and verification of entered data; summarize data; and conduct routine statistical analyses. Evaluate and make recommendations on data collection techniques and methodologies. Evaluate the impacts of recreational and commercial fisheries on critical salmon stocks and other State natural resources, including essential fish habitat.
• Serve as OSP representative on team responsible for migrating databases and associated data entry, processing, and estimation programs from Visual FoxPro to a new database platform and programming language. Coordinate with project collaborators and contractors to ensure the new data management system meets Ocean Salmon Projects needs. Assist in the development of new programs for data entry, QA/QC, and various analyses.
• Conduct fishery and population assessments, such as cohort reconstructions, abundance forecasts, population simulations, etc., using existing tools. Develop and/or test of new stock assessment tools for use in salmon management.
• Review, write, and assist with the preparation of project reports.
• Assist with OSP's annual fishery sampling and CWT processing activities, including:
  -Review, interview, and assist with hiring seasonal or permanent lab and field staff, assist with annual performance reviews, contribute to the professional development of staff.
  -Oversee sport and commercial ocean salmon fishery monitoring and collection of salmon heads, lead and train staff in field data and sample collection, sample sport and commercial fisheries, ensure the project's sampling objectives are met.
  -Lead permanent and seasonal laboratory staff in the processing of CWTs, and associated data entry and QA/QC procedures. Determines processing priorities and assists in the recovery of ocean CWTs in the field as needed.
• Support OSP's scale reading activities and age-structure analyses. Assist with the generation of scale-aging assignments from inland and ocean Chinook salmon scale collections. Read scales from all four runs of Central Valley Chinook salmon, as well as from Chinook harvested in California's mixed-stock ocean salmon fisheries to determine age composition. Guide other staff in scale sample processing, digital imaging, and reading practices.
• Serve various administrative functions as required such as assisting with budget tracking and procurement, maintaining project equipment, overseeing vehicle maintenance, develop and enforce safety protocols.

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 sample collection, testing and analyses. 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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:

• Analyze and report biological and/or genetic information affecting future selection, rearing, and spawning activities.
• Prepare both quarterly progress and annual reports.
• 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
  -spreadsheets
  -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:

• able to swim
• carcass and redd surveys
• lift 40-50 lbs.
• electronic detection technol.
• valid driver's license
• fish ageing (scale, otolith, other)
• fish species ID skills
• specific software (spreadsheet, word processing, database management, GIS, statistical analysis, behavioral analysis, bibliographic)
• oral communication skills
• written communication skills
• contracting procedures

• 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.

  We maintain a drug-free workplace.

  Minimum Qualification Requirements:

  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.

  ** This position requires a valid driver's license and all offers of employment will be contingent upon passing a driving record check. **

  Title: Fishery Biologist 2- Ocean Salmon Project (21-1114)

  Location: Santa Rosa, CA (95403)
  Anticipated Start Date: August 16, 2021
  Position Type: Full Year, Full Time, Salary/Exempt
  Benefits Eligible: Yes | Click here
  Salary Target: $2715.83/Semi-monthly
  How to Apply: Online here
  Application Deadline: July 16, 2021
  Contact Person: PSMFC Human Resources This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is an Affirmative 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 (503) 595-3100 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. PST, Monday-Friday. Reasonable accommodations for interviews will be provided upon request to individuals with disabilities.