Fisheries Field Biologist 1

JOB TITLE    Fisheries Field Biologist 1
DEPARTMENT    Fisheries
SUPERVISOR    Fisheries Management Division Lead (Karl Seitz)
STATUS    Annual
SALARY    $63,138 to $82,381 (GS-9 equivalent)
START DATE    As early as 8/17/26 

JOB SUMMARY:

Studies basic principles of fish populations their origin, relationship, development, anatomy, and functions. Manages the installation, operation, and maintenance of the Tribal selective harvest weir and associated biological sampling and disease monitoring programs. Manages the rearing and release of artificially propagated salmonids and monitors the hatchery population for program evaluation. Monitors tribal and non-tribal fisheries and analyzes their performance with respect to harvest guidelines.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manages the installation, operation, and maintenance of the Tribal selective harvest weir and associated biological sampling and disease monitoring programs
• Assists and implements the design of biological studies.
• Assists technician staff with the use of appropriate statistical designs and procedures to estimate fishery harvest, spawner escapement, and hatchery production.
• Coordinates studies and analyses with applicable state and federal agencies.
• Assists in investigations, analyses, and interpretations of research data for State and Federal biological audits.
• Prepares technical information relative to anadromous fishery management and resource protection.
• Oversees hatchery operations and ensures best aquaculture practices are followed.
• Organizes and analyzes data in written reports for progress reports, preliminary reports, contract obligations or for appropriate journals.
• Manages budgets.
• Plans, assigns, schedules, and reviews work of assigned staff.
• Identifies training needs of subordinate staff.
• Trains subordinate staff in the techniques of fisheries field work.
• Schedules and oversees maintenance of equipment.
• Prepares grant applications.
• Performs related duties as required.
• Keeps accurate technical records.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with others.
• Collects and analyzes data and informs Tribal, public, state, and federal representatives regarding conclusions and recommendations.
• Flexibility with scheduling and work hours is a must. Duties and project assignments may change over time. Other duties may be assigned as needed.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manages a total of 1-2 Senior Technicians and 6-10 Junior Technicians.
• Shares responsibility with Biologist II for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of this unit.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Language Skills

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations 

• Must possess valid California Drivers License and be insurable during the term of employment
• Swiftwater rescue, first aid, and CPR are desired but not required
• California Boater Card is desired but not required
• Forklift or other heavy machinery operator’s certificate is desired but not required

Physical Demands and Skills

• Ability to lift 50lbs
• Ability to carry heavy loads over uneven terrain including while wading in streams/rivers
• Ability to swim
• Ability to snorkel and perform dive surveys is desired but not required
• Ability to row/paddle non-motorized vessels
• Ability to operate motorized vessels is desired but not required
• Ability to use basic hand and power tools
• Advanced hand and power tool skills desired but not required
• Basic plumbing skills desired but not required
• Ability to operate forklifts or other heavy machinery is desired but not required

education AND experience:

• Bachelor of Science degree in fisheries biology or related field with at least 3 years of experience performing fisheries field projects
• 2 years of experience may be substituted for a Masters degree in fisheries biology or related field
• Consideration will be given to non-fisheries field experience as long as relevance to this position can be demonstrated
• Experience with the use of fish weirs is preferred but not required
• Experience or course work in salmonid aquaculture practices is preferred but not required
• Advanced data analysis or database management experience is desired but not required and could be partially substituted for field experience if applicability to this position is demonstrated
• Additional course work and trainings may be substituted for field experience if applicability to this position is demonstrated
  A combination of education and experience will be considered for this position.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Employee is subject to an annual performance evaluation following a 90-day evaluation from hire date.
• Position is considered safety sensitive and employee is subject to the Tribal Alcohol & Drug Policy including pre­employment, random, post-accident (the employee will be automatically tested), reasonable cause and re-entry alcohol & drug testing.
• Employee is subject to Hoopa Valley Tribe’s Title 30-A, Employment Background Investigation Policy.
• Must possess a valid California Driver’s License and be insurable under the Tribes Motor Vehicle Policy during term of employment.
• Reasoning Ability: Ability to define problems, collect and analyze data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Work Environment: Characteristics of the work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties of this job. While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate.
• Language Skills: Basic English. Hoopa language is preferred but not mandatory at the beginning of employment.  Willing to take Hoopa language classes and implement that language into the program.
• Mathematical Skills:  Must have the ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to planning and practical situations. Must have the ability to compile and analyze data and to perform quantitative and qualitative research analysis essential to program reporting.
• Physical Demands: 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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and stoop, kneel, or crouch. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10-25 pounds.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
• Preference in hiring will be given to qualified Indian Applicants pursuant to Title 13; Hoopa Tribe’s TERO Ordinance apply.