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Fishery Biologist 2- Telemetry
Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission
Washington, DC, USA
Posted on Feb 5, 2026
Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is seeking candidates to fill the role of Fishery Biologist 2 - Telemetry position. The incumbent will serve at the USGS Columbia River Research Laboratory in Cook, WA.
Position/Project Specifics:
This project is designed to monitor fishery response of ESA listed Chinook salmon, steelhead, and bull trout relative to habitat conservation actions that are being implemented throughout the Columbia River Basin. Data generated from these studies will be used to further understand and evaluate the relationship between habitat capacity and freshwater survival and will help guide future restoration efforts using an adaptive management approach. The selected candidate will be responsible for leading and conducting a range of field work activities aimed at evaluating life stage specific abundance and survival, including backpack and barge electrofishing, operating and maintaining rotary screw traps, operating adult fish traps and weirs, radio and acoustic telemetry, spawning ground surveys, PIT tagging of juvenile and adult salmonids, PIT tag array operation and maintenance, collecting biological samples, and collecting physical habitat data such as water temperature, flow, and general habitat characteristics. Office duties will include data organization and entry, data quality control, database management, assisting the lead USGS biologist in data summary, and preparation of figures and maps. The selected candidate will participate as a member of a research team conducting studies throughout western North America.
Applicants should be detail-oriented with a strong work ethic, organized, self-motivated, and able to work independently with little supervision. Previous experience with methods described above that are used to monitor freshwater life stages of anadromous fish is preferred. Applicants should be proficient with word processing, spreadsheet software, and databases. They should also be able to accommodate a flexible schedule during the field season. This includes either 4 days on, 3 days off, 5 days on with weekends off, or an occasional 8 day on, 6 day off schedule as necessary, depending upon field activity. Winter schedule is typically a standard 5 day work week with weekends off, with some flexibility.
This position is considered full time, with a contract lasting one year that is likely to be extended from year to year.
Essential Functions:
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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 fish husbandry.
- 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, publishing software, presentation software, database software, topographic software, bibliographic software, and statistical analysis packages.
- Knowledge of technical writing protocols.
- Knowledge of advanced statistical analysis and mathematics.
Additional Mandatory Skills:
- lift 40-50 lbs.
- valid driver's license
- habitat typing
- habitat monitoring
- fish ageing (scale, otolith, other)
- fish species ID skills
- specific software (spreadsheet, word processing, database management, GIS, statistical analysis, behavioral analysis, bibliographic)
- oral communication skills
- written communication skills
Physical Demands:
Demands generally range from sedentary to moderate --where there is walking, climbing stairs and ladders, reaching, lifting, bending, or extended periods of standing. Some Fishery Biologists in this range have rigorous physical demands where they must be able to handle buckets of water or gear weighing from 40 - 50 pounds, engage in long daily periods of hiking, camp out for extended periods, or maintain footing in fast-moving water.
Work Environment:
Some work is performed in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating and ventilation. Some work may be performed in a laboratory setting which exposes the biologist to odors, chemicals, fish blood, and molds. The employee must use safety precautions including MSDS, gloves, hood, and eye protection. Some employees may work on narrow, elevated walkways and platforms that are over or adjacent to water. Field work involves exposure to all types of weather, slippery rocks or docks, trails, irregular terrain, insects, poison oak, rough or fast-moving water, or cold water temperatures. Work at high elevations or aboard boats may be required.