Fishery Biologist 1- Restoration Monitoring - Arkansas Staffing : Job Details

The Fisheries Biologist I will co-lead the Monitoring and Evaluation of Salmonid Habitat Restoration (MESHR) program to monitor Fisheries Restoration Grant Program permitted salmonid habitat restoration projects. Under the direction of California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Senior Environmental Scientists, the Fisheries Biologist I will plan and conduct effectiveness (physical habitat), validation (biological response), and Before After Control Impact studies for approximately 18 months (with the possibility of extension). Project types monitored will include instream habitat improvement, watershed restoration (upslope), fish passage at stream crossings, riparian restoration, instream barrier modification for fish passage, and fish screening of diversions. Work involves seasonal -overnight travel (up to three nights/ four days) to watersheds throughout Northern California (San Francisco Bay and north). Monitoring techniques include before and after restoration measurement of physical habitat characteristics, qualitative observations of habitat and project conditions, and observations of juvenile and adult fish. Job duties include scheduling field visits with grantees, subcontractors, and landowners; collecting and analyzing data; uploading data to databases; conducting quality control checks on grant manager data; preparing annual permit compliance and final contract reports; presenting findings; purchasing field gear per contract procedures; drafting contract proposals; contributing to protocol and programmatic improvements; drafting contract deliverables and submitting monthly invoices; directing the daily work of a seasonal Fisheries Technician; developing training sessions and materials focusing on survey techniques, data management, field safety, and other procedures; and keeping up to date on the latest salmonid habitat restoration and monitoring techniques by attending training and reviewing literature. Applicants should have a passion for salmonid habitat restoration; working knowledge of aquatic ecology/environmental sciences; prior instream and/or upland field experience; willingness to learn and follow CDFW and PSMFC policies, protocols and procedures; good data management and field gear organization; good communication and interpersonal skills; the ability to telework responsibly; scientific writing skills; and an acquaintance with statistical analysis (R or equivalent) and GIS mapping.

Essential Functions:

• Lead and participate in survey crews that conduct fishery presence/absence research, recreational/commercial fishing surveys, anadromous fish escapement surveys (carcass, redd, trap/weir, snorkel, etc.), or tag detection and mark recovery surveys. Make standardized observations such as species identification, length, weight, behavior, growth, survival, reproductive condition, and/or signs of parasites, diseases or pathogens, fin clips or tags.
• Lead and perform data entry for data from recovered tags, representative biological samples, telemetry devices, oceanographic data, fish tickets, commercial landing estimates, logbooks, scale cards, port sampling, onboard observers, etc. Error check the data, maintain and update database, analyze and organize data in the appropriate format (table, spreadsheet, memorandum, or report) necessary for transfer to individuals, agencies, and organizations. Modify software programs and perform data queries. Prepare summary reports to transfer data.
• Assist researchers in investigations of long term and short term fisheries resource management problems. Collect biological samples, record data, perform routine analyses of data, and contribute draft sections to scientific papers for publication.

Knowledge Required by the Position:

• Knowledge of fishery biology (including knowledge of particular species of fish).
• Knowledge of fish husbandry.
• Knowledge of aquatic abitats.
• Knowledge of the scientific method.
• Knowledge of personal 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 statistics and mathematics.
• Knowledge of database management.
• Knowledge of programming languages such as SQL.

Additional Mandatory Skills:

• snorkeling
• carcass and redd surveys
• elec. detection technology
• lift 40-50 lbs.
• valid driver's license
• hiking
• habitat typing
• habitat monitoring
• restoration proj. monitoring
• research land ownership
• operate GPS
• fish species ID skills
• using fish keys
• compile and collect neat and accurate data
• handheld data recorder