Data Management Specialist 2-Collaborative Fish Information Programs

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 Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) is seeking a self-motivated and high performing Data Management Specialist 2 (Natural Sciences) – Collaborative Fish Information Programs. The Specialist will be assisting primarily with the Klamath Basin projects that include supporting the collaborative Klamath Basin Integrated Fisheries Restoration and Monitoring Plan (IFRMP) and its Klamath Basin Monitoring Plan group (Basin Strategy, www.ifrmp.org) and the Klamath Basin Fisheries Collaborative (KBFC, www.kbfishc.org). The Specialist will also support the collaborative StreamNet Program (www.streamnet.org) with focus on its Pacific Northwest Aquatic Monitoring Partnership (PNAMP, www.pnamp.org).

The position requires working with the USGS-Klamath Falls Field Station. The individual will work with local USGS and USFWS partners in Klamath Falls and surrounding areas, and with a PSMFC team located in Portland Oregon and in Washington. The position requires engaging with tribal, federal, state agency partners, watershed councils, and others that are involved with these projects by supporting collaborative meetings and other tasks.

The Specialist will work closely within a team environment on a diversity of tasks that range from organizing and facilitating collaborative meetings, designing and implementing workshops, compiling information from multiple sources to inform outreach products and project reports, updating program websites, developing draft products (e.g., documents, presentations, spreadsheets) for use in existing processes, establishing/maintaining cooperative relationships with partners, understanding of metadata to maintain and support users of existing tools such as PNAMP’s Monitoring Resources (monitoringresources.org), Klamath IFRMP tools (e.g., www.ifrmp.org/funding), KBFC tools (www.kbfishc.org) and supporting a diversity of collaborative processes.

At times, the Data Management Specialists (Natural Sciences) will perform the following duties:

• Participate in organization and implementation of collaborative meetings by setting up meeting technological equipment (e.g., meeting owl, projectors, laptops, MS Teams meeting platform), taking meeting notes in SharePoint, assisting with preparation of meeting material and presentations. This includes assisting with establishment of subcommittees/teams, process for agenda development, active facilitation, and conducting follow up work as necessary. Meetings may include the KBFC leadership team meetings, KBFC annual meeting, Klamath Monitoring Plan workshops, PNAMP/StreamNet annual committee meetings, Fish Monitoring Work Group meetings, Emerging Technologies Information Sessions, and a proposed 2026/2027 Klamath Basin Science Summit.
• Assisting with the compilation and synthesis of information to support the development of collaborative products, including basin wide project annual reports, PNAMP/CAP newsletters, Klamath Basin Strategy, KBFC data system guides, documents and proposals, project protocols and methods for documentation of metadata, and selection criteria for proposed projects.
• Providing technical support to KBFC members submitting data in and/or accessing data from the KBFC data system, PNAMP Monitoring Resources users, and to others using web-based tools supported by the PSMFC team, such as the IFRMP.org website Funding Opportunity Tool and other query tools.
• Assisting with managing and maintaining pages and content at MonitoringResources.org. This includes keeping site text (Glossary, FAQ, and general guidance) up to date; entering or updating methods and protocols in MonitoringMethods.org as needed; reviewing content entered by other users and providing feedback based on the quality of documentation; providing online/phone support and demonstrations/trainings for the tools as requested; coordinating with other users to finalize (publish) content in the tools.
• Assisting with content management and updates to maintain accurate membership database, distribution lists in MailChimp/constant contact, project YouTube videos (www.youtube.com/channel/UC6i-mCyumwk7x9hNy9WdvdQ) and maintain WordPress project websites and related tools, including www.streamnet.org, www.pnamp.org, www.kbfishc.org and https://www.ifrmp.org/
• Communicate with other PSMFC staff, as needed, for information sharing and problem resolution on issues, and collaboratively working with the PSMFC Project lead in writing and formatting outreach materials, email updates, and meeting updates.
• Effectively communicate (written and verbal) with a variety of partners (data consumers, data providers, biologists, fisheries managers and data stewards) about metadata and fish information needs. Including authoring science syntheses for technical or semi-technical audiences on projects, including ecological/biological/data subjects of interest to natural resource managers.
• Collaboratively work on teams with PSMFC staff and external partners, including contractors, state, tribal and federal fish and wildlife management agencies that engage in these collaborative processes.
• Supporting other PSMFC collaborative data projects with similar tasks. Contributing as a team member to identify options for addressing needs and assist with the development of material to implement solutions.

The candidates must be comfortable working 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 position requires developing and maintaining working relationships with a wide range of colleagues and partners that have a diversity of expertise related to natural resources, data systems, and facilitation. Applicants should be able to think and work independently, self-learn, and be self-motivated to complete tasks with little direct supervision.

Applicants should have experience with, or demonstrate ability to learn WordPress, Elementor (or similar Website Builder), Trello (or similar project task management applications), MS Teams, SharePoint (or similar shared document platforms), Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Premiere Pro and Photoshop (or similar video/image editing tools), Microsoft Access, Publisher, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word. Applicants should have some knowledge and/or experience with ESRI online tools (e.g. Survey 123) and how scripts/tools can be used to facilitate data cleaning.

Background Project Information: 

The Klamath Basin Monitoring Plan group focuses on developing a post-dams Klamath Basin Monitoring strategy with Klamath Basin stakeholders and existing collaborative groups such as Klamath MOU Signatory parties, Klamath Basin Monitoring Program (KBMP), Klamath Basin Fisheries Collaborative (KBFC), and watershed initiative groups throughout the Klamath Basin. This project supports open meetings to engage monitoring practitioners and other experts and stakeholders, assist with the development of the strategy and a 2026-2027 Klamath Basin Post-Dam Removal Science Summit.

The Klamath Basin Fisheries Collaborative (KBFC) project is a Klamath Basin wide effort, integrating work across what historically has been termed the “lower” and “upper” basin regions. This Project purpose supports a collaborative effort to monitor and evaluate using fish tracking infrastructure (e.g. PIT tags) and associated fisheries historic river restoration opportunities and effects on imperiled fish species. The KBFC’s work is strongly dedicated to improving the quality and quantity of data that are needed to inform decisions and to assess progress towards the Klamath Basin Integrated Fisheries Restoration and Monitoring Plan’s (IFRMP)’s Fish Core Performance Indicators. The KBFC members are continuing to improve existing fish monitoring efforts by documenting and coordinating monitoring activities, investing in tagging and tag detection supplies, and advancing data exchange by refining the data system and providing technical support to data providers.

The Pacific Northwest Aquatic Monitoring Partnership is a state-federal-tribal partnership in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and California with the mission of coordination of scientific information needed to inform public policy and resource management decisions. It is a forum to facilitate collaboration around aquatic monitoring topics of interest, promote best practices for monitoring, and encourage coordination and integration of monitoring activities as appropriate. The forum’s activities are conducted by participant working groups and teams as endorsed by the partner-based steering committee. PNAMP’s Monitoring Resources provides an online, publicly accessible suite of information and tools, including maps and metadata describing existing monitoring projects; a library of standard monitoring methods, protocols, and data dictionaries; and guidelines and tools to help managers develop new monitoring programs and share existing ones. Monitoring Resources also supports NPCC and BPA funded projects.

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.
• Perform system maintenance and backups, including routine database checkpoints, checkpoint verification, tuning, data-process merges, and user account management. Restore files when required.
• Perform Help Desk functions, responding to online user inquiries about database access, data retrievals, query script execution, and standard report programs.

Knowledge Required by the Position:

The employee must have knowledge of:

• natural sciences
• 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
• the organization’s data sets 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 Access
• MS Excel
• MS Outlook
• MS PowerPoint
• MS SharePoint
• MS Teams
• MS Word
• WordPress
• Elementor
• 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 Publisher
• MS SQL or equivalent
• Photoshop
• Trello or equivalent

Supervisory Controls: 

The selected individuals will plan and carry out assignments independently under the general guidance of senior team members, agency liaison, and the Senior Program Manager.

Work is assigned in terms of project goals, objectives, priorities, and, at times, specific tasks.  At the lower end of the range, the employee will exercise initiative in solving common technical and procedural problems.  Unusual issues are referred to the supervisor or higher-graded employee for consultation or review. 

At the upper end of the range, the employee plans and carries out assignments with independence, guided by experience and knowledge to complete the objective.  He/she seeks assistance only on the most unusual issues. Sufficiency of planning and execution, and accuracy of the data produced are normally accepted without detailed review, even for customized assignments.

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.

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. 

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