Lead Biologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is recruiting candidates to fill the role of a temporary Fisheries Biologist 1 position for theCentral Valley Steelhead Monitoring Program (CVSMP) based in West Sacramento, CA.

This position is anticipated to start July 6,2026 and continue through December 4, 2026. Under the direction of the Lead Biologist, the Fisheries Biologist 1 will assist with daily field data collection, office/lab activities, and act as a field lead as needed. This position will obtain scientific information to examine the distribution, abundance, and population trends of Central Valley (CV) steelhead in the Sacramento River watershed using large wire fyke traps on the mainstem Sacramento River. The position requires working on 25ft long motorized watercraft. Motorboat operator and safety training will be provided.
Duties and responsibilities include:
Operate and maintain large wire fyke traps
Assist with PIT tagging, acoustic tagging, and collection of biological samples from adult steelhead trout
Assist the Lead Biologist with training of staff in field and boat operations
Act as a field lead when needed
Assist with QA/QC of all data, database management, and data analysis
Maintain project equipment such as fyke traps, winches, and tools
Assist with installation, operation, and maintenance of PIT tag arrays, acoustic receivers, and temperature loggers
Maintain vehicles and vessels
Mount and digitize O. mykiss scale samples
Candidate must be willing and able to work long hours in a field setting (working on motorized watercraft, on rough/uneven terrain, and in adverse weather conditions). A flexible schedule and the ability to work weekends is mandatory.

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.
• Lead crew or assist hatchery manager with maintenance of fish including feeding fish, cleaning tanks, establishing feeding schedules, assessing growth, and monitoring fish health. Collect samples of blood and tissues. Monitor and maintain facility systems, equipment, and water quality. Maintain records of data and perform routine analysis.
• 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.
• Assist in design, development, and installation of components of naturalistic environments. Assist with analysis of the behavior of different species in simulated environments. Videotape, photograph, and record data for characteristics such as growth, health, fitness, social activity, reproductive success, foraging success, and anti-predator behavior.
• Establish and direct sport, commercial, hatchery, and natural spawn sampling and bio-sampling protocols to best meet data requirements.

Position Requirements:
Knowledge of scientific methodology
Knowledge of salmonid biology and life history
Experience working with salmonids
Good oral and written communication skills
Analytical and data analysis skills
Knowledge of computer applications and software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access
Experience with scientific writing
Must be comfortable working from and operating motorized watercraft
Must be able to swim 50 yards and tread water for 10 minutes
CPR/First Aid certified (provided)
Must be able to lift 50 lbs.
Must have a valid driver's license
Desirable Skills:
Motorboat operation and trailering experience
Adult salmonid trapping and handling experience
Experience leading large field-based fish monitoring efforts
Technical skills such as equipment repair and electrical work
PIT, Floy, and acoustic tagging experience
Ability to identify native and non-native fish species in the Sacramento watershed
Database management skills
Experience mounting, digitizing, and aging scale samples

Physical Demands:

Demands can range from sedentary, to moderate --where there is walking, climbing stairs and ladders, reaching, lifting, and bending, to rigorous. In the latter case, the employee must be able to handle buckets of water or gear weighing up to 50 pounds. Long daily periods of hiking, carrying equipment, swimming, and/or standing may be required. Some work requires the ability to maintain footing in fast-moving water.

Work Environment:

Some work will be in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating, and ventilation. Some work will be on a motorized boat in fast moving water or from the banks of a large river. Field work involves working in inclement weather, exposure to cold, rain, heat, sun, wind, walking on wet / slippery rocks, docks, and boat decks, irregular terrain, insects, poison oak, fast moving water, and cold water temperatures. Field work will involve long days working and standing on boats in a wet environment handling adult steelhead trout.