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PACIFIC STATES MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION POSITION DESCRIPTION
Job Title: YOY Groundfish Fishery Biologist 1
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Benefit Eligible: Yes
Group Definition: Fishery Biologists use professional knowledge and competence in the science of fishery biology to perform work: (a) developing, conserving, propagating, managing, and administering fishery resources; (b) evaluating the impact of construction projects and other socioeconomic activities that present potential or actual adverse effects on fishery resources and their habitats; and (c) producing and managing aquatic resources in their natural habitat and/or within facilities and systems that have been constructed for their benefit and public use.
Position/Project Specifics:
Background: Limited research has been conducted on YOY groundfishes off Oregon since the pioneering work during the late 1970s and early 1980s (e.g., Oregon Sea Grant 1977, Hogue and Carey 1982, Krygier and Pearcy 1986). A recent Oregon Sea Grand funded project on the effects hypoxia on pelagic larval and benthic juvenile groundfishes has allowed for sampling in nearshore waters (30-80m) during the summer months, but there has been no systematic seasonal sampling across the entire continental shelf since the early 1980s. Since 1996 the Zooplankton Progrm at the NWFSC has conducted biweekly hydrography and plankton cruises along the NewPort Hydrographic line (NH-Line) across the central Oregon shelf (44.67 degrees N) (e.g., Peterson and Keister 2003, Peterson 2009). On each cruise, hydrographic measurements and zooplankton samples are collected at stations ranging from 1 to 25 miles from shore. These zooplankton cruises build on and complement a broad range of historic and ongoing oceanographic sampling focused on the "NH-Line", including historical Sea Grant funded studies on the early life history of commercially important groundfishes. This project will conduct a fishing vessel-based survey of young-of-the-year (YOY) groundfishes along the NH-Line synoptically with the Zooplankton Lab's plankton/physical oceanography sampling program.
Research Description: The project will charter a fishing vessel to collect information on YOY groundfishes in coordination with an ongoing multi-year zooplankton survey that takes place off of the Oregon Coast along the Newport Hydrographic Line. The work would be done biweekly in the spring and summer months (10 one-day trips) and monthly in the fall and winter (6 one-day trips), occurring as close as possible in time to the ongoing NWFSC plankton surveys. Fish and benthic invertebrates will be collected with a 2-m wide x 0.5-m high video beam trawl system. A high-definition video camera system equipped with scaling lasers provides a video image of the seafloor and associated fauna just forward of the beam trawl's tickler chain. Before each tow, a CTD with an oxygen sensor will be deployed. YOY fishes and invertebrates from each tow will be sorted at sea, frozen, returned to the laboratory for identification and enumeration, and in the case of sihes, lengths will be determined. Fish and invertebrate densities will be determined for each station along the MB/NH-line. The video system will be used to provide information on seafloor habitats within each tow and also to evaluate the catch efficiency of the beam trawl.
Position Specifics: This position will be involved in all aspects of this cooperative research project including participating in the at sea research. The position is multidisciplinary and will include a wide variety of tasks from species identification to reviewing video footage collected of the sea floor. In addition, because video and oceanographic electronic devices will be used some time will be spent maintaining and repairing electronics and/or pressure housings. It is anticipated that approximately 15 days will be spent at sea sampling. While not at sea the position will be preparing gear, forms, performing literature reviews, writing reports, analyzing data, working with samples collected, video analysis, working with fishermen on project details, and in general ensuring the success of the project.
Essential Functions: Included in this band are entry-level and advanced entry-level professional positions. (Note: "Lead" functions identified below may include staff scheduling, providing input on performance, orientation and training, approving time and travel reimbursement records, and purchasing office and field project supplies.)
(The functions listed below are characteristic of the type and level of work associated with this group and pay band. They are not all-inclusive. Individual positions may perform some or all, as well as other similar work under close to general supervision.)
- Lead and participate in survey crews that conduct fishery presence/absence research and recreational/commercial fishing 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, oceanographic data, scale cards, 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.
- 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.
- Establish and direct sampling and bio-sampling protocols to best meet data requirements.
Knowledge Required by the Position:
- Knowledge of fishery biology (including knowledge of particular species of fish).
- Knowledge of aquatic habitats.
- Knowledge of the scientific method.
- Knowledge of personal computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, e-mail, publishing software, presentation software, database software, topographic software, bibliographic software, and statistical analysis packages.
- Knowledge of technical writing protocols.
- Knowledge of statistics and mathematics.
- Knowledge of database management.
Additional Mandatory( M) / Desirable (D) Skills:
- Valid driver's license (M)
- Lift 40-50 lbs (M)
- Live at sea on research vessel (D)
- Underwater video camera (D)
- Operate GPS (M)
- CPR/First Aid (D)
- Survival training (D)
- Operate nets (seine, gill, trawl, etc) (D)
- Habitat typing (D)
- Literature search/review (M)
- Fish ageing (scale, otolith, other) (D)
- Fish species ID skills (M)
- Using fish and invertebrate keys (M)
- Compile and collect neat and accurate data (M)
- MS Office (M)
- Marine navigation software (D)
- Oral communication skills (M)
- Written communication skills (M)
- Video editing (D)
- Dissecting microscopes (D)
- Electronics (D)
- CTD deployment, retrieval, and downloading data (D)
Supervisory Controls:
A supervisor guides the incumbent and assigns work on a regular basis (daily, weekly, or monthly) in terms of project objectives, individual objectives, and priorities.
At the lower end of the range, the employee uses basic professional knowledge in a variety of recurring, learning assignments. He/she is able to assess or interpret the significance of work results and relate that to the overall objective of the project. The supervisor or leader is available for consultation.
At the upper end of the range, the employee outlines, organizes and executes the details of the assignments. Regular status reports are made to keep the supervisor up to date on progress. A supervisor or leader is available when assignments involve modification of standard procedures or controversial approaches.
In all cases, reviews are utilized to ensure that the employee's work is adequate, technically sound, and accomplishing objectives.
Guidelines:
Guides may be regulations; maps and charts; sampling and survey methodologies; standing operating procedures for data entry, management and analysis; purchasing and accounting procedures; health and safety manuals; facility operation and emergency protocols; oral instructions; equipment or instrument manuals; hardware/software manual; and/or fish identification keys.
The guides often require careful study or cross-referencing to locate the applicable rule or answer and can involve some interpretation or judgment to determine and adapt procedures to carry out work efforts, analyze results, and recommend changes. If the work is outside the guidelines or is not easily adapted from the existing guidelines, additional assistance is available from a supervisor or leader.
Complexity:
The employee is expected to select and execute the proper approach to completing the work. The assigned duties often have steps or processes which vary, depending on factors such as the reason the work is being performed or the conditions under which it is being performed. The employee is expected to exercise independence in recognizing such differences, in choosing the right course of action, and in selecting and executing the proper approach to completing the work.
Scope and Effect:
Work products directly affect the design and execution of experiments, the operation of systems and facilities, or the adequacy of long term investigations, tests, or research conclusions.
Personal Contacts:
Contacts are with employees of PSMFC; federal, state, or local fishery agencies; visiting scientists; the general public; sport fishery anglers; industry personnel; and contractors.
Purpose of Contacts:
The purpose of contacts is to exchange information and insure that project goals are being met through coordination and planning. Communication between contacts affords resolution of problematic issues and serves as an information network. Sometimes contacts may be skeptical or uncooperative.
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. Camping out for extended periods may be required. Some work requires the ability to maintain footing in fast-moving water.
Work Environment:
Some work is performed in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating and ventilation. Some work may be performed in fish processing labs, fish holding areas, and/or in the field. Employees may work on narrow, elevated walkways and platforms that are over or adjacent to water. Field work involves exposure to all types of weather, slippery rocks or docks, trails, irregular terrain, insects, poison oak, rough or fast-moving water, or cold water temperatures. Work at high elevations or aboard boats may be required.
PSMFC is an EEO/AAP employer. We maintain a drug free workplace.
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