JOB SUMMARY:

The Fisheries Biologist position provides a key role in supporting treaty rights and fisheries for the Nooksack Tribe. Under the direction of the Fisheries Program Manager, this position serves as the technical lead for salmon spawner surveys, carcass sampling, and harvest sampling. This includes supervising fishery technicians, performing field work, overseeing data collection, data QA/QC, and data analysis and reporting. Additionally, this position provides technical fisheries support on shellfish and finfish, habitat restoration projects, and fisheries management. 

MAJOR TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervise fisheries technician crew and coordinate and oversee salmonid population monitoring and data collection using a standard methodology, including quality assurance/quality control of these data and samples, sample storage, and data management. 
• Summarize, analyze and synthesize field-collected data, and laboratory results in technical reports.
• Maintain, operate, and repair fisheries equipment such as pontoon boats, electrofishing units, nets, CWT wands, and other sampling gear and field equipment.
• Ensure safety procedures and protocols are followed in the field to minimize hazards and risks.
• Coordinate with co-managers on salmonid survey and sampling methodologies, spawn survey scheduling, data sharing, reviewing, and estimating salmon and steelhead population abundances. Ensure consistent methodology is used in surveys to record and map redds, enumerate carcasses and live adults, and 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 co-managers on spawn surveys using existing methodologies for other species, with emphasis on specific species as needed. 
• Attend co-manager technical meetings as directed, such as Nooksack/Samish terminal area salmon forecasting and escapement estimate meetings, and hatchery planning meetings. 
• Oversee sampling of fisheries including ceremonial, subsistence, and commercial fisheries. This includes working with tribal fishers to sample their catch and sampling at local fish buyers Fisheries sampling typically includes sampling Chinook, coho, and halibut for, depending on data needs, species, sex, length, otoliths, coded wire tags, scales, and DNA. 
• Provide technical expertise in fisheries management and salmon recovery forums as needed. 
• Provide technical input on annual finfish and shellfish management plans, including crab, shrimp, clams/oysters, geoducks, urchins, and sea cucumbers as needed. 
• Conduct fish exclusion and field support for habitat restoration projects. This includes being the lead operator of electrofishing equipment used to exclude fish from in water work on engineered log jam projects, identifying fish species, and preparing technical sections of reports.
• Assist or conduct other research, monitoring, planning, or reporting activities in support of fisheries management as directed.

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. Additionally, as time allows: 

• Develop and implement research projects on dynamics, distribution, life history and behavior of Nooksack salmonid populations. Summarize, analyze, and report findings. 
• Participate in other technical activities of the Natural Resources Department, including those related to watershed assessment, restoration and management.

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 directly related field and 4 years of experience in collection, analysis, and reporting of fisheries data. 
• One year experience leading and/or supervising field crews.
• Previous salmon spawn survey and adult harvest sampling experience. Optimally including taking otoliths, DNA tissues, coded wire tags, scales, and interpretation and management of these data.

REQUIRED SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES POSITION:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of biology, biological research, fish conservation and fisheries management including a comprehensive understanding of current methodologies used to monitor fish populations and fisheries (e.g. CWTs, genetics, otoliths, scales, etc.)
• Must have demonstrated teamwork and leadership skills in both office and field situations as well as effective listening and communication skills, with the ability to communicate technical matters clearly and concisely. 
• Strong working knowledge of Pacific Northwest salmonid ecology and behavior, fisheries, and aquatic ecology. Familiarity with Nooksack River salmon populations and habitats is a plus.
• Ability to safely handle boats in dynamic river systems, including pontoon rafts, drift boats, and/or small row boats.
• Ability to identify or learn to identify adult and juvenile salmonids to species and identify other freshwater fish common in the Nooksack River.
• Ability to summarize and assess data using standard statistical procedures and scientific analysis to develop reports. 
• Knowledge of standard methods and protocols for data quality assurance/quality control and data management. 
• Familiarity and experience with Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, and Access) GIS software, databases, and statistical software (e.g. R). 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, cultural sensitivity, empathy, and ability to work with diverse groups.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in remote field settings and office environment, coordinate multiple projects simultaneously, and effectively prioritize tasks.
• Ability to safely operate backpack electrofishing equipment in moving water.

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 Driver’s License and meet the insurability requirements of the Tribe. (Must Provide Driving Abstract at time of hire). 
• Completion of Smith Root’s Electrofishing Principles and Safety Certification course or equivalent (may obtain after 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 outside of these hours to complete duties such as fishery sampling).
• 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 (swimming and wading) and on 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; wading in and across streams and rivers; and operating boats.