Fishery Biologist - McNary Dam

Description

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is recruiting candidates to fill the role of Fishery Biologist 1, located at the McNary Dam in Umatilla, Oregon. This is a full-time seasonal position with a projected start date of March 17th, 2026, lasting for 9 months or less.

The employee will participate in, and sometimes lead, all sampling and handling of juvenile fish. This sampling will include species composition, weight and length measurements, descaling and injury rate determination, recovery of marked fish, PIT tag database work, and Gas Bubble Trauma monitoring.

The employee will participate in computer data entry and analysis. This work will include daily entry of sampling and collection data for the Fish Passage Center (FPC), US Army Corps of Engineers (COE), and Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW), as well as computation and analysis of juvenile salmonid run timing, passage success at mainstem hydroelectric projects and specific stock assessment through the use of spreadsheet and graphic programs.

The employee may participate in the development, implementation, supervision, data analysis, and reporting of thermal data collected on the project for the COE.

The employee will prepare a brief weekly summary report of the juvenile fish collection and transportation activities for distribution to other states, federal, and tribal fishery agencies. The employee will also prepare annual and interim reports and research proposals.

(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 under close to general supervision.)

• Lead and participate in survey crews that conduct fishery presence/absence research, recreational/commercial fishing surveys, anadromous fish escapement surveys (carcass, redd, trap/weir, snorkel, etc.), or tag detection and mark recovery surveys. Make standardized observations such as species identification, length, weight, behavior, growth, survival, reproductive condition, and/or signs of parasites, diseases or pathogens, fin clips or tags.
• Lead and perform data entry for data from recovered tags, representative biological samples, telemetry devices, oceanographic data, fish tickets, commercial landing estimates, logbooks, scale cards, port sampling, onboard observers, etc. Error check the data, maintain and update database, analyze and organize data in the appropriate format (table, spreadsheet, memorandum, or report) necessary for transfer to individuals, agencies, and organizations. Modify software programs and perform data queries.
  
  Prepare summary reports to transfer data.
• Lead crew or assist hatchery manager with maintenance of fish including feeding fish, cleaning tanks, establishing feeding schedules, assessing growth, and monitoring fish health. Collect samples of blood and tissues. Monitor and maintain facility systems, equipment, and water quality. Maintain records of data and perform routine analysis.
• Assist researchers in investigations of long term and short term fisheries resource management problems. Collect biological samples, record data, perform routine analyses of data, and contribute draft sections to scientific papers for publication.
• Assist in design, development, and installation of components of naturalistic environments. Assist with analysis of the behavior of different species in simulated environments. Videotape, photograph, and record data for characteristics such as growth, health, fitness, social activity, reproductive success, foraging success, and anti‑predator behavior.
• Establish and direct sport, commercial, hatchery, and natural spawn sampling and bio‑sampling protocols to best meet data requirements.

• 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 personal computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, email, publishing software,…