Data Management Specialist 2 – Collaborative Fish Information Programs

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is recruiting candidates to fill the role of Data Management Specialist 2 – Collaborative Fish Information Programs, located at the headquarters office in Portland, Oregon.     

Group Definition: Data Management Specialists (Natural Sciences) use a background in the natural sciences as they assist in the population, maintenance, enhancement and distribution of databases.  They locate, obtain, standardize, enter, verify, and correct various data sets related to project goals and work plans. 

Position/Project Specifics: 

The permanent duty station is the PSMFC office in Portland, Oregon, and the selected candidate will be working at the office location. Anticipated start date would be between late-February and mid-March 2026. Based on the applicant pool, the hiring process may involve up to two rounds of interviews. 

The Specialist will be working on the Pacific Northwest Aquatic Monitoring Partnership program (PNAMP, www.pnamp.org), and will be expected to organize and support groups exchanging knowledge about effectiveness monitoring and scoping new topics such as eDNA data for fish species. The Specialist will also be supporting Klamath Basin projects including the Klamath Basin Monitoring Plan group (Basin Strategy, www.ifrmp.org) and the Klamath Basin Fisheries Collaborative (KBFC, www.kbfishc.org). As needed, the Specialist will also support other data collaborative programs within the portfolio of the Senior Program Manager. 

The selected candidate will be expected to collaborate with PSMFC colleagues, external partners, and contractors. The successful candidates will demonstrate the ability to work on multiple tasks, experience with project tasks management tools, able to re-prioritize their work, be a proven team player, and understand the criteria for respectful collaboration. The successful candidate should demonstrate the ability to work independently, self-learn, and be self-motivated to complete tasks with little direct supervision. 

The Specialist will work as part of a collaborative team to support a wide range of data focused, coordination, and outreach tasks. Core responsibilities include organizing and facilitating meetings and workshops; providing technical assistance and training to partners; managing and entering data; converting legacy datasets; compiling information for outreach products and reports; updating program websites and tools; developing draft documents and presentations; developing and maintaining cooperative relationships with partners; and supporting users of systems such as MonitoringResources.org and KBFC data system and tools (www.kbfishc.org). Duties may include, but are not restricted to: 

• Meeting and Workshop Support: Organize and implement collaborative meetings and scientific sessions by setting up meeting technology (e.g., Meeting Owl, projectors, laptops, MS Teams), preparing meeting materials, taking notes in SharePoint, reviewing abstracts, leading breakout groups, developing surveys, and summarizing results.

• Information Synthesis and Documentation: Compile and synthesize information to support development of program products such as annual basin-wide reports, newsletters, strategic plans, user guides, proposals, and project protocols. Conduct QA/QC on data and content in tools and systems, and review user submitted content for quality and completeness.

• Technical Support for Data Systems: Provide support to data providers and consumers, including converting legacy data, assisting with data submittal and adherence to specifications, training partners on Survey123 forms, helping users access regional systems, and providing user support with web-based tools through online/phone meetings.

• Tools and Websites Content Management: Organize and coordinate groups contributing to the development of new data tools; populate and update content in existing tools; and maintain websites including MonitoringResources.org, PNAMP.org, and kbfishc.org.

• Communication and Outreach Support: Maintain accurate membership databases, distribution lists (MailChimp/Constant Contact), YouTube project videos (e.g., www.youtube.com/channel/UC6i-mCyumwk7x9hNy9WdvdQ ), and WordPress websites (e.g., www.pnamp.org and www.kbfishc.org). Collaboratively create and format outreach materials, email updates, and meeting summaries.

• Partner Engagement and Science Communication: Communicate effectively with partners—including data providers, data consumers, biologists, managers, and data stewards—regarding metadata and fish-information needs. Develop science syntheses for technical and semi technical audiences on ecological, biological, or data related topics.

• Collaboration Across Agencies and Teams Work collaboratively with PSMFC staff and external partners (contractors, tribal, state, and federal agencies) participating in shared processes.

• Support for Other Collaborative Data Projects: Contribute to additional PSMFC data projects by identifying solutions to shared needs and assisting with developing materials to implement those solutions.

The successful candidate should have experience with—or demonstrate the ability to learn—WordPress, Elementor or similar website builders, Trello or other task management tools, MS Teams, SharePoint or other shared document platforms, Adobe Acrobat, and Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word. The selected candidate should have experience with electronic data collection forms such as ESRI Survey123, working with databases and validation rules, and using scripts or tools to support data cleaning. The successful candidate will be knowledgeable of fish biology and fisheries management. 

This position requires building and maintaining effective working relationships with a wide range of colleagues and partners involved in fish monitoring, fisheries management, natural resources, data systems, and facilitation. The selected candidate will collaborate with tribal, federal, state, and local partners throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and California. Travel during the first year will be required about every two months, including between Portland and Ashland, Oregon, as well as other locations within the region. 

Essential Functions: 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, Data Management Specialists (Natural Sciences): 

• Compile project data into standardized electronic data formats. This includes accessing filed information and verifying its accuracy and completeness, performing data entry, electronic data transfer, editing, and error checking.

• Extract relevant data which may be presented in many different text and numeric formats, reports, tables, graphics, or figures.

• Maintain local versions of datasets in accordance with established regional database exchange formats and standards.

• Maintain a local archive of current and historical reports and documents. Coordinate the regular transfer of reference materials to archives and libraries.

• Perform a variety of tasks related to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) that may include map preparation, geo-referencing biological and habitat data, maintaining location information tables, editing and updating hydrography GIS coverages, and maintaining metadata for data sets and GIS coverages.

• Train technical and general users in the use of database applications through individual instruction and/or group presentations.

• Create queries, summaries, and/or maps in response to requests for customized data.

• Prepare and manipulate various data and graphic outputs for use in reports, presentations, and internet applications using standardized retrieval scripts.

At the upper end of the range, employees: 

• Develop and implement databases and libraries. Includes acquiring new data as well as taking previously created or historical databases or spreadsheets and integrating them. Data sources vary in format including database, spreadsheet, and survey data sets. Custom interfaces may be required.

• Produce written research and statistical reports (including graphs, tables, maps, and text), data sets, and data summaries using a variety of analytical techniques and software tools. This involves the master-level use of database retrieval scripts.

• Document data handling and reporting to ensure consistency and validity of data between and within sites. Files may come from sources that use different computer hardware, software systems/protocols, and different communication packages.

• Maintain and update data catalogs, data catalog directories, and metadata.

• Perform system maintenance and backups. This includes routine database checkpoints, checkpoint verification, tuning, data-process merges, and user account management. Restore files when required.

• Perform Help Desk functions, responding to on-line user inquiries about access to the database and data retrievals, the execution of query scripts, and standard report programs.

Knowledge Required by the Position:  

The employee must have knowledge of: 

• natural sciences, preferably with a focus on fish and fisheries

• computers and software packages and applications for databases, spreadsheets, and word processing

• data management concepts, principles, and methods

• quality assurance principles

• technical documentation methods and procedures

• analytical methods and common query languages

sufficient to: input data; structure information retrievals; edit, combine and manipulate data; and/or provide reports for users.  This knowledge allows the employee to assess the results and relate that to the overall objective of the assignment.  

Additional Mandatory Knowledge and Skills: 

• MS Excel. Outlook, PowerPoint, Word or equivalent

• MS SharePoint and MS Teams, or equivalent

• Valid drivers license

• WordPress or equivalent

• Elementor website builder or equivalent

• Oral communication skills

• Writing non-technical/technical/report documentation
  

Additional Desirable Knowledge and Skills: 

• Adobe Acrobat

• Adobe Premiere Pro

• ARC GIS or ESRI online

• ESRI Survey 123

• MS SQL. MS Access or equivalent

• Photoshop

• Trello or equivalent

• Python and/or R for data cleaning and conversion
  

Physical Demands:  

The work is generally sedentary, although there may be some nominal walking or standing for short periods of time, or carrying of light loads of papers, books, reports, etc. that require only moderate physical ability and physical stress. 

Work Environment:  

The works area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated.  The work involves the common risks or discomforts typical of office, meeting rooms, libraries, and the like.    

PSMFC is an EEO/AAP Employer. We maintain a drug-free workplace. 

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

A range of experience and education may be presented. Candidates must present one year of Specialized Experience** AND four years of successfully completed education above high school in the natural sciences (biology, fishery biology, environmental science, aquatic science, geology, chemistry, physics, mathematics).  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. 

LocationMacadam HQProject Length12 months or morePosition TypeFull-YearTravel Requirements0% – 25%BenefitsFull-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.DrivingPersonal Vehicle – Valid driver’s license required. Offers of employment contingent upon passing driving records check.Salary Target$26.14 – $41.57/hourClosing DateFeb 11, 2026undefined