Position Closes: June 25, 2020

Job Title: Fisheries Biologist

Department: Natural and Cultural Resources

Reports To: Fisheries and Resource Protection Manager

Job Status: Exempt

Type: Regular Full Time

Grade: I – $25.96

JOB SUMMARY:
Position responsibilities:

(1) Supervise and coordinate fisheries technician crew, oversee spawn survey and harvest sampling, and salmonid population monitoring data including collection, QA/QC, analysis and synthesis;

(2); participate in technical co-management forums for finfish and shellfish; (3) provide technical support to policy on shellfish and finfish and on proposed annual management plans; (4) conduct fish exclusion and technical support for habitat restoration projects, 5) assist in other research, monitoring, and planning activities in support of fisheries management; and (6) provide technical expertise to other department projects and activities.
MAJOR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
(1) Supervise fisheries technician crew and coordinate and oversee salmonid population monitoring data collection, including quality
assurance/quality control of the data and samples. Coordinate with other Nooksack co-manager technical staff.
(2) Summarize, analyze and synthesize field-collected data in technical reports.
(3) Coordinate with Lummi Nation and Washington Department of Fish and WDFW on methodology, spawn survey scheduling, data sharing, data exchange, and estimating population abundances. Ensure consistent methodology is used in chinook surveys to record and map (GPS) redds, carcasses and live adults, and to collect biological data on carcasses including species, gender, fork length, and sampling for otoliths, coded wire tags, scales, and tissues for DNA analysis. Coordinate with other co-managers on spawn surveys using existing methodologies for other species, with emphasis on steelhead.
(4) Attend co-manager technical meetings as directed, such as Nooksack/Samish terminal area salmon forecasting and escapement estimate meetings, and hatchery planning meetings.
(5) Coordinate with Lummi Nation and WDFW on developing annual Nooksack winter steelhead management plan, and track and report harvest.
(6) Oversee sampling of fisheries including Ceremonial and Subsistence chinook fisheries, chinook and coho sampling at local buyers, and halibut sampling at buyers for species, gender, fork length, and sampling for otoliths (chinook, halibut), coded wire tags (chinook and coho), scales, and tissues for DNA analysis. Assist International Pacific Halibut Commission staff and Lummi Nation in sampling halibut.
(7) Develop and implement research projects on dynamics, distribution, life history and behavior of Nooksack salmonid populations. Summarize, analyze, and report findings.
(8) Participate in shellfish research forums including the Pacific Northwest Crab Research Group.
(9) Provide technical expertise in fisheries management and salmon recovery forums as needed.
(10) Provide technical input on draft annual shellfish management plans, including crab, shrimp, clams/oysters, geoducks, urchins, and sea cucumbers.
(11) Conduct fish exclusion and field support for habitat restoration projects.
(12) Provide technical input on forest practices water typing for presence of absence offish by assisting Forests and Fish Specialist with review of proposals and participation in Department of Natural Resources interdisciplinary teams.
(13) Assist in other research, monitoring, or planning activities in support of fisheries management.
(14) As time allows, participate in other technical activities of the Natural and Cultural Resources Department, including those related to watershed assessment, restoration and management.

OTHER DUTIES:
Because of the Tribe’s commitment to community service and the well-being of its members, each employee may be expected to perform a wide range of office and field duties from time to time. Such duties may or may not be related to their regular responsibilities.

PREFERENCE:
• Indian Preference Policy applies to this and all positions with the Nooksack Indian Tribe.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
The following qualifications are required for the incumbent to have, in order to be considered for the position.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING FOR POSITION:
• B.S. degree in Fisheries, Aquatic Ecology, or related field and 2 years of experience in collection, analysis and reporting of fisheries and/or environmental data, or 10 years of relevant work experience.

REQUIRED SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES POSITION:
• Data quality assurance/quality control.
• Data management and analysis.
• Familiarity and experience with Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint) GIS software, and GPS.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, cultural sensitivity, empathy, and ability to work with diverse groups.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate, interpret, and apply scientific knowledge.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, coordinate multiple projects simultaneously, and effectively prioritize tasks.

REQUIRED CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
• Must pass alcohol/drug test at time of hire and throughout employment.
• Must pass criminal background check at time of hire and periodically thereafter.

REQUIRED LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS:
• Must have and maintain throughout employment a valid Washington State Drivers License and meet the insurability requirements of the Tribe. (Must Provide Driving Abstract at time of hire).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS [The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.):
• This position requires both office and field work.
• The standard work week is 8:30-5:00 Monday through Friday (occasionally may have to work evenings).
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods and frequently required to talk and listen.
• Sitting for extended periods while at a desk or in meetings.
• Manual dexterity to operate a keyboard, calculator, and telephone system
• Ability to lift up to 20+ pounds without assistance occasionally.
• Typical office setting with environmentally controlled conditions.
• Read, write, speak and understand English
• Ability to listen, understands customers, and has the ability to translate rules, regulations, and policies to clients so they understand the issues/problems.
• Operate in mentally and physically stressful situations with composure.
• May have to walk/drive between office locations under a variety of conditions.
• Must be able to bend, reach, kneel, twist, and grip from assigned work areas.
• Ability to work in the field both in streams and rivers and during inclement weather.
• Field work entails working in large rivers and streams at a range of flows and weather conditions and requires comfort assessing and mitigating risks of field work, walking over uneven ground, and wading in and across streams and rivers.

DESIRED SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES POSITION
The following qualifications are preferred/helpful for the incumbent who has these skills/knowledge or abilities for this position.
• M.S. Degree in Fisheries, Aquatic Ecology, or related field.
• Education and/or experience in fisheries harvest management, including familiarity with population models, and experience in quantitative modeling and statistical analysis.
• Strong working knowledge of salmonid ecology and behavior, fisheries, geomorphology, and aquatic ecology. Familiarity with Nooksack salmon populations and habitats is a plus.
• Experience working with Native American tribes.
• Previous spawn survey and adult harvest sampling experience. Optimally including taking otoliths, DNA tissues, coded wire tags, scales, and interpretation and management of this data.
• Ability to identify adult and juvenile salmonids to species.

• Prior experience with fish exclusion and electrofishing at river-scale engineered logjam construction projects. Completion of Smith Root’s Electrofishing Principles and Safety Certification Course or similar is highly desirable.
• Experience with boat handling, including pontoon rafts, drift boats, and/or small row boats.
• Experience using escapement estimate methodologies, and with determining abundance and productivity estimates.
• Prior experience with shellfish management, preferably in the Pacific Northwest.
• Prior experience in supervision of field crews.

I have read and understand the position requirements as stated above I further, understand that occasionally I may be instructed to perform duties that are not listed above but are relative to my position.

The Tribe hopes that the employment relationship will be long and productive, however the Tribe is an employer at-will therefore you may terminate the employment relationship at any time and likewise the Tribe may terminate the employment relationship at any time. Neither you nor the Tribe needs to provide a reason for a decision to terminate the employment relationship.

Website link here: https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=c4b8fc40-76d9-4402-b54c-3303a95fa767&ccId=19000101_000001&type=MP&lang=en_US