Biological Species Specialist (USFWS, Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge)

The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is recruiting for a Research Associate (RA) to serve as a Biological Science Technician at the Ash Meadows Fish Conservation Facility (AMFCF), Amargosa Valley, NV.

The AMFCF is home to the only captive population of the critically endangered Devils Hole pupfish, a unique species that lives only in the uppermost portion of a submerged cave system near Death Valley.  This facility features a 100,000-gallon refuge tank that simulates the challenging biotic and abiotic characteristics of the Devils Hole ecosystem and provides habitat for a backup population of endangered Devils Hole pupfish. Laboratories and recirculating aquaculture areas are also on-site.  AMFCF is currently undergoing significant expansion with two new buildings being constructed to add to the research and aquaculture capabilities.

Primary duties include animal care, system maintenance, water quality testing and monitoring, and data entry and analysis, along with routine laboratory activities such as solution and food prep, glassware and aquarium cleaning, and participating in research projects. This is an excellent position for an early-career biologist to get experience with a wide range of hatchery and endangered species conservation techniques and procedures in a setting with a state-of-the-art captive ecosystem.  The RA works directly under the supervision of the Facility Manager and with project partners and cooperators.  Training will be provided for all duties.  Once trained, the incumbent must have the ability to work independently to provide daily care for endangered desert fishes in aquaria and conduct other hatchery operations and maintenance, following standard operating procedures precisely. 

Primary Responsibilities:

• Performs routine animal care including feeding, health monitoring, water testing, water changes, filter and aquarium cleaning;
• Conducts inventory and monitoring of the refuge tank ecosystem. This includes implementing a wide variety of protocols to monitor biotic and abiotic parameters, such as water chemistry, nutrients, substrates and algae, aquatic invertebrates, and fish;
• Acts as technician for the management of predaceous diving beetles in the refuge tank ecosystem;
• Assists with the design, construction, and commissioning of new laboratory and propagation facilities and systems;
• Records and analyzes data in both paper and computerized data storage systems;
• Performs a variety of computations and assessments of standard biological data to prepare the data for interpretative use or inclusion in biological reports;
• Prepares charts, graphs, and/or reports on data collected;
• Assists in culture of aquatic invertebrates and algae in aquaria;
• Accurately records and archives data and meticulously maintains and archives written records of laboratory and field activities, including by not limited to: water qualities, aquatic flora and fauna propagation and culture activities, environmental surveys, and all other work completed.  The incumbent will keep these records in such a manner that they may be referenced and interpreted by internal and external regulatory agencies for the purposes of endangered species management for high-profile species;
• Follows SOPs and sterile technique procedures to ensure proper cleanliness, decontamination, and sterilization of laboratory and hatchery facilities, equipment, and sampling gear;
• Assists in the planning and execution of the program by making recommendations and ensuring communication is effective between facility staff and other partners and offices;
• Works cooperatively with various U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service partners to address ecological, hatchery, and fish and invertebrate culture questions to further the successful propagation of native aquatic organisms in the southwest;
• The work is completed in both indoor and outdoor locations, often in extreme conditions, and often working alone;
• Requires considerable physical exertion such as bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, lifting, and cleaning. Weekend and odd-hour work may be required; and
• Applicant must be comfortable working at a facility that is located in a semi-remote desert location.

Timeline:

• October 2025 – September 2026, 1 Year Appointment (May be extended, contingent on funding and facility needs); and
• Full time (40 hours/week).

Location:

Ash Meadows NWR, one of the first wetlands in the United States to be designated a Wetland of International Importance, comprises over 24,000 acres of spring-fed wetlands and alkaline desert in the Mojave Desert of southern Nevada near Death Valley National Park. The Refuge was established in 1984 to protect threatened and endangered species and more than two dozen endemic plant and animal species. The Refuge also provides habitat for over 100 species of plants and animals that are considered sensitive or are state protected or priority species.

On-site housing may be available for rent in a shared bunkhouse. The Research Associate must provide their own reliable transportation for non-work-related trips since the closest personal amenities and grocery stores are located approximately 30 miles from the Refuge in Pahrump, Nevada. The city of Las Vegas is located approximately 90 miles southeast of the Refuge.

Compensation and Benefits:

Compensation: $19.30 hourly;

Benefits:

• Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance;
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost;
• Competitive PTO accrual and paid holidays;
• Eligible for 401(k) retirement savings with up to 4% GBI match; and
• Access to Pro Deals.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in biology or environmental sciences (e.g. ecology, fisheries, entomology, conservation biology, wildlife management, or related field) OR at least four years of full-time work experience in a closely related field;
• Valid, clean, state-issued driver’s license and familiarity driving 4WD vehicles on unimproved roads;
• Willingness to submit to a background check, and pass computer security and ethics training;
• Willingness and ability to work in harsh desert conditions, including extreme temperatures, independently or as part of a team; and
• Ability to lift a minimum 50 lbs. for short periods of time.

And experience in some or all of the following:

• Education or experience in aquaculture, aquarium, hatchery operations, or animal husbandry;
• Education or experience in community and/or ecosystem ecology;
• Ability to conduct a wide variety of complex investigations including the design, collection, and analysis of biological data;
• Education or experience in data compilation, relational database structure, and statistical data analysis to develop and maintain biological databases, synthesize and analyze data;
• Education or experience in monitoring fish species to observe and accurately distinguish between normal appearance and behavior and changes that require intervention;
• Problem solving skills sufficient to recognize critical trends in natural resources; assess, select, and make optimal use of precedents and available data; and draw sound conclusions for recommended actions;
• Experience in working in a laboratory; setting running water quality analyses and utilizing laboratory analytical equipment and methods including but not limited to spectrophotometry, balances, and microscopes;
• Experience or training in invertebrate identification;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a diverse audience; and
• Willingness, ability, and experience working in a scientific laboratory setting that involves frequent use of hazardous laboratory and industrial chemicals according to OSHA regulations.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands, stand, walk, bend, and have specific vision abilities to include close and distance vision, and ability to adjust focus working with computer business equipment and other job/industry specific equipment. The noise level in the work environment is usually low.

The overall nature of the (Indoors/Office) position is sedentary, requiring little physical effort and occasional light exertion. There is occasional exposure to environmental conditions such as heat, cold, and temperature changes.