Fishery Biologist 2- White Sturgeon Surveys - Tenders Global

Fishery Biologist 2- White Sturgeon Surveys

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission

tendersglobal.net

Position/Project Specifics:

The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is seeking a self-motivated and high performing Fisheries Biologist to lead a pilot fishery-independent White Sturgeon population dynamics monitoring project with a crew of two fisheries technicians. This position includes leading or assisting with the following three primary project components:

  • Mark-recapture analysis using fishery-independent setline surveys.
  • Guide Tagging Program to augment the number of sturgeon tagged in the marking component of the setline survey.
  • Sonar surveys in the spawning reaches of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers.

Mark-recapture data are needed to estimate abundance metrics (age-class abundance and relative abundance index) of White Sturgeon in the San Francisco Estuary. This information will be used to set an annual harvest quota for the recreational fishery.

Conducting sonar surveys in the upper reaches of the Sacramento and San Joaquin River also serves a multi-purposed objective. These surveys will provide the data needed for estimating the number of spawning White Sturgeon adults, which can be used as an additional abundance metric for setting harvest management controls in the recreational fishery. Additionally, information on the reproductive portion of the population can be paired with juvenile abundance indices from other data sources to establish spawner-recruitment relationships overtime.

The primary responsibilities of the position will be to coordinate and ensure adherence to setline survey and tagging protocols by both vessel operators and two fisheries technicians, as well as manage and maintain a setline survey database. The incumbent will produce weekly Setline Survey field reports, including data summaries of catch, total sturgeon tagged, total sturgeon recaptured, along with field notes of importance to project supervisors (for example, updates on gear repair/maintenance/purchase needs, difficulties in the field). A yearly report summarizing all activities will be written by the incumbent.

Additional responsibilities will include assisting the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) staff in training participating Charter Captains and crew in accordance with Guide Tagging Program protocols on tagging, safe handling of White Sturgeon, and data recording procedures. Tasks will include, but are not limited to, developing and distributing training materials, leading training on data collection and tagging protocols, promoting compliance with data collection and upload protocols, ensuring proper permitting of all Subcontractors, distributing tagging equipment and gear to participating Subcontractors, and managing staff schedule for `Observer Days’ (defined as days where staff join Subcontractors on charter trips to ensure compliance with data collection protocols). Additionally, this position will manage all Guide Tagging Program subcontracts and will be responsible for the timely processing and payment of purchase orders (POs).

In conjunction with these responsibilities and under the guidance of the Project Manager, the incumbent will supervise and manage the workload of two fisheries technicians in support of the setline surveys, sonar surveys, and industry-lead tagging efforts of White Sturgeon.

This position will be expected to perform setline surveys and tagging duties on various vessels at specific locations in the San Francisco Estuary and these duties may occur during the weekends and holidays. Fieldwork will be weather dependent and under a 4/10 schedule (four 10-hour days per week). Duties are essential to ensure setline survey, sonar survey, and tagging protocols are consistently followed.

Target Pay Rate $2773.44 semi-monthly

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.  Methods and techniques are well established, apply to most situations, and do not require significant deviations.  Resource planning reports generated by employees at this level involve conventional biological concerns.  Reports generated may be short-range management plans or portions of annual work plans.  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. Recommend modifications of existing research protocols. Design data collection forms and set up research databases for integration of data. Compile and analyze data for reports, prepare graphics, contribute to or write papers for peer-reviewed journals, and present research results at professional meetings.
  • 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.
  • 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. 

Knowledge Required by the Position: 

  • Knowledge of fishery biology (including knowledge of particular species of fish) .
  • Knowledge of aquatic habitats.
  • Knowledge of the scientific method.
  • Knowledge of sampling protocols.
  • Knowledge of Windows-based computer applications such as:
    • word processing
    • spreadsheets
    • e-mail
    • presentation software
    • database software
    • statistical analysis packages.
  • Knowledge of technical writing protocols.
  • Knowledge of advanced statistical analysis and mathematics.

Additional Mandatory Skills:

  • Compile and collect neat and accurate data
  • Valid driver’s license
  • Oral communication
  • Scientific Writing skills

Additional Desired Qualifications:

  • Fish identification skills, specifically knowledge of species residing in the San Francisco Bay/Delta
  • Previous experience handling and taking morphometric measurements of fish
  • Database Management, including SQL databases and data processing, manipulation, and analysis in computer software programs (such as R)
  • Experience collecting environmental data using water quality multiparameter sondes
  • Experience deploying, maintaining, and repairing fisheries sampling gear
  • Experience leading field crews in scientific data collection

Physical Demands:
The work requires physical exertion such as bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, reaching, climbing ladders, or similar activities. The incumbent should be able to lift up to 40 pounds. Additionally, the work requires above average manual dexterity and coordination, necessary to perform common laboratory techniques and safely negotiate wet floors.

Work Environment:
Work is based at the CDFW West Sacramento Office. The incumbent will conduct a combination of office work and field work on vessels. The office is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. Temperature and weather extremes may be encountered in the performance of outdoor work. Field duties may require the use of special protective gear. The incumbent is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow coworkers, or property with which entrusted.

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.

At the upper end of the range, in addition to the undergraduate course of study described above, candidates must also must present one year of Specialized Experience**  OR  3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph. D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree in fields directly related to the position being filled.  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. 

HOW TO APPLY

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