Fisheries Biologist 2-Southern CA Shelf Rockfish Survey

Fishery Biologist 2 – Southern California Shelf Rockfish Survey                            

Position/Project Specifics:

PSMFC is interested in involving the fishing industry in the collection of needed West Coast fisheries data, which serves to improve the information base for fisheries management.  Additional scientific data, both in essential fish habitat and stock assessment, is needed for the effective management of the U.S. groundfish fisheries off the Washington, Oregon, and California coasts.  PSMFC wants to encourage and fund effective partnerships among commercial fishermen, researchers, and other stakeholders to become active participants in cooperative research and to further the knowledge base of West Coast fisheries data. 

Scientists and fishermen will have the opportunity to draw on each other to answer tough questions and creatively devise research projects that collect needed data on fish stocks and their associated habitats.  Vessel personnel and scientists will conduct research side by side of fisheries resources of the continental slope and shelf of the U.S. West Coast region.  This position will support PSMFC’s role in these projects with a focus on a long-standing survey being conducted in cooperation with the local Southern California Commercial Sportfishing Fleet.  The position will support all aspects of the survey including planning, execution, data collection, data management, sample preparation and analysis, data analysis, etc.

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.   Lower range work examples include:

• Following existing protocols for fish health screenings; conduct tissue sample collection, bacterial testing and analyses, blood collection and analyses, parasite identification, and necropsies on experimental fish populations.
• Assist in the planning, mobilization, and conducting of multiple groundfish surveys off the west coast.
• Availability to participate in research surveys up to 2 weeks in duration, with the potential for additional sea time.
• Develop age composition structures, stock assessments, escapement totals, harvest levels, run reconstruction frameworks, and/or run forecasts for designated fish species and stock. 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.
• Plan, schedule, and conduct behavioral, physiological, morphological, and survival evaluations of hatchery and/or experimental fish populations. Oversee and assist with fish culture tasks for study purposes and recommend procedure variations. 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.
• Plan, design, schedule, and conduct fish catch and effort surveys for marine fisheries. Utilize existing general creel survey protocols and determine modifications that address specific marine fisheries conditions or special fisheries. Work with state, federal and regional fishery management councils to provide data on fisheries catch and effort and population trends as well as biology of marine fish species. Work with stock assessment biologists in relation to fisheries-specific data utilized in their stock assessments. Assist with database presentations of the data collected. Prepare reports and presentations as requested. Provide expertise in improvements to the design of creel surveys
• Conduct limited physical and biological watershed, stream, and fish habitat assessments. Responsible for conducting data investigation and research, drafting technical report, database management, GIS for all physical and biological data, and survey and inventory results. Prepare, present, implement and update watershed assessment plans.
• 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:

• Use biological information to evaluate run profiles and habitat suitability in stocked streams within a major geographical area. Develop comprehensive management plans to insure preservation, protection, and enhancement of habitats.
• Become a certified Alaska Marine Safety Education Association Marine Safety Instructor and provide safety training to at sea biologists
• Plan, design and implement research studies on fish health and/or nutrition. Analyze and report biological and/or genetic information affecting future selection, rearing, and spawning activities.
• Prepare both quarterly progress and annual reports on run status and hatchery or fish facility operations.
• 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.

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.

Other Required Experience include

• Experience with at-sea data collection, recording, and management
• Familiarity with west coast groundfish fisheries Experience with MS Word and Excel; experience with library and internet research and online databases
• Experience with MS Access and relational databases
• Positive, can-do attitude
• Handy with a variety of power and hand tools
• Self starter; able to start and complete tasks – some of which may be repetitive and prosaic – with limited supervision
• Strong communication skills – able to work independently and in small and large groups as part of a team
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability and willingness to travel
• Able to lift 40 lbs and ascend/descend ladders and navigate vessel gangways unassisted

Desired Skill and Experience 

• Familiarity with rockfish species of the Southern California Bight
• Research experience aboard chartered sport and/or commercial fishing vessels
• Familiarity with SQLite and/or SQL-based database software such as Navicat or SQLite Expert
• Analytical and basic statistical skills for contribution to project reports, presentations, and peer-reviewed publications
• Familiarity with R and/or RStudio for statistical analysis and graphically displaying data
• Scientific writing skills commensurate with acceptance by peer-reviewed publications
• Public speaking and oral presentation skills
• Experience or familiarity with basic electronics including video recording systems, electrical connections (splices, soldering, etc.), and general electronics principles
• Familiarity with basic wireless computer networking hardware, software, and protocols
• Experience processing, managing, and tracking biological specimens
• Familiarity with basic laboratory protocols including the use of compound microscopes, dissecting scopes, and basic histology
• Experience in cruise planning, preparation, and related logistics