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Shellfish Biologist II – Closes 4/14/2023

Job Location: Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe – Kingston, WA
Position Type: Full Time
Education Level: 4 Year Degree – Required
Salary Range: $68,077.52 – $76,587.21 Salary/year
Travel Percentage: Occasional travel to trainings

This is a professional fisheries position for the Port Gamble SKlallam Tribe (PGST) that will provide technical support towards shellfish management and research activities. The job is located on the Port Gamble SKlallam Tribes reservation near Kingston, Washington with field work occurring primarily in Hood Canal and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Overall responsibilities include harvest planning, habitat assessment and enhancement, applying aquaculture technology and conducting research into the population dynamics and ecology of select shellfish species. Under the supervision of the Shellfish Manager, and with appropriate policy input, the Shellfish Biologist II will apply sound biological principles to the management of shellfish populations in PGSTs usual and accustomed fishing area by collecting and analyzing biological data; monitoring, evaluating and reporting harvest; representing PGST on technical and policy committees; collaborating on marine research and restoration activities with outside agencies; and identifying, planning, implementing, and evaluating shellfish activities that are consistent with the Tribes resources management goals.

Specific Duties Include:

• Shellfish Harvest Management: Access and analyze shellfish population data, review management options in consultation with other biologists, and make recommendations to the Shellfish Manager regarding management options, harvest schedules, and proposed regulations. Work with the Natural Resources staff to notify fishermen of regulations, schedules, and in-season adjustments. Monitor and evaluate harvest activities to ensure that harvest proceeds in an orderly and structured manner and that harvest levels are consistent with resource conservation and negotiated agreements. Work with PGST fisheries enforcement personnel to identify enforcement needs and address problems. Prepare technical reports and oversee the entry and dissemination of catch and biological data, as well as assist in the reconciliation of ticket and catch accounting databases.
• Interagency and Public Coordination: Serve as liaison to other tribal, state, and federal fisheries officials to represent PGST in technical issues affecting shellfish and marine and coastal habitats in PGSTs usual and accustomed fishing area. Maintain current information on scientific, technical, and policy developments affecting tribal shellfish issues. Coordinate with shellfish companies to implement treaty harvest rights on leased tidelands, including preparing and executing harvest plans and ensuring compliance with harvest plan provisions. Work with private tideland owners to implement treaty harvest rights, including scheduling surveys, planning harvests, notifying landowners, and reporting harvest numbers. Provide Vibrio control training to tribal harvesters.
• Field Operations: Perform shellfish habitat and population surveys for both intertidal and subtidal species, collect and analyze water, shellfish, and phytoplankton samples, and assist with shellfish seeding and enhancement projects. Design and conduct research to evaluate recruitment, sustainability of harvest rates, feasibility of new enhancement projects, and success of past enhancement projects. Maintain vessels assigned for shellfish field operations and purchase and maintain field equipment as needed.
• Supervision: This position is directly responsible for the periodic supervision of a shellfish technician/monitor. Supervisory responsibilities shall include arranging for monitors for tribal shellfish harvests, direct oversight and training of field technicians, evaluation of work completed, and communication of PGST policies and workplace expectations.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Education/Experience: Must have a bachelors degree in biological sciences or related field and two years of professional experience in fisheries research/management. A Masters degree may be substituted for two-years experience in fisheries research/management.
• Licensing/Certification: Valid Washington State drivers license. Valid Washington State Boater Education Card required within three months of starting date
• Personal Computer Skills: Must have moderate to advanced experience with databases (ACCESS), advanced word processing (Word) and spreadsheet capabilities (Excel), as well as GIS software experience.
• Other Important Skills:
• PADI Open Water Diver certification desirable.
• Must demonstrate ability to take initiative and work independently on projects.
• Familiarity with tribal fisheries programs in the Pacific Northwest desirable.
• Experience operating/towing small boats (up to 30 feet) preferred.
• Must have accurate and well-organized record keeping abilities.
• Must comply with the Tribes Substance Abuse and Personnel Policies.

Requirements:

• Regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or feel and talk or hear.
• Frequently required to walk, sit, stand and reach with hands and arms.
• Walking on uneven surfaces, on beaches and piers required.
• Occasionally required to stand, stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl and lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Travel Requirements:

• Frequent local regional travel and occasional statewide travel as required.