Job Opportunity (GIS preferred) with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's Shellfish Program

Make a difference with shellfish fisheries! The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's Marine Resources Program is recruiting for a Shellfish Assessment Biologist in Newport, Oregon.  This is a permanent position responsible for assisting the shellfish and estuary habitat assessment project which generates quantitative data to describe shellfish communities in selected bays and estuaries throughout Oregon.  The project has a total of 4 permanent and seasonal staff who conduct research and assessment of Oregon’s marine / estuarine shellfish and estuarine habitat resources. A description of the position responsibilities and preferred experience is listed below.

Applications due January 10, 2018
 Salary Range: $2,200 – $2,281 per month

To view the announcement and apply for the position, please follow the link to the Shellfish Biologist position on the ODFW website:

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/hr/docs/121217.pdf

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is a state agency responsible for managing Oregon’s fish and wildlife resources (http://www.dfw.state.or.us ).  ODFW’s Marine Resources Program (http://www.dfw.state.or.us/mrp/) is responsible for managing Oregon’s marine natural resources including commercial and recreational fisheries. The Marine Program office is located in Newport, Oregon at the Oregon State University's Hatfield Marine Science Center campus where federal, state, and university scientists conduct cutting-edge marine science research ( http://hmsc.oregonstate.edu/).

See the following links for information on the ODFW Shellfish Program: (http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/shellfish/) and the Shellfish Assessment Project: (http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/shellfish/Seacor/index.asp)

Position Details:
The Shellfish Assessment Biologist is part of a team that supports a field-based project to assess estuarine shellfish populations and habitats in Oregon coastal estuaries.  The primary duties and responsibilities of this position are to: (1) participate in conducting shellfish and estuary habitat assessment sampling in coastal estuaries; (2) assist the Shellfish Assessment Project Leader with literature review, data analysis, and report writing; and (3) provide public information and outreach services regarding recreational shellfisheries. 

Work includes:   

• Operation of small boats (15-22’) in shallow coastal estuaries
  
• Intertidal and sub tidal surveys of estuarine shellfish populations
  
• Field sampling to characterize estuarine habitats
  
• Hydroacoustic surveys of estuarine bathymetry and habitat
  
• Collecting biological and habitat data
  
• Assisting with other ecological studies of shellfish populations  to address resource management needs
  
• Equipment maintenance (e.g., boats, field sampling equipment)
  
• Data recording and management, including data entry in Microsoft Access
  
• Participation in literature review, data analysis, and report writing
  
• Participation in public presentations of Shellfish Assessment Project results to diverse audiences and assist in the development of project-specific outreach products.

Preference may be given to candidates with one or more of the following skills:

• Degree in biological, ecological, or marine sciences
• Field experience in marine environments, especially remote locations
• Small boat handling/maintenance/operation
• Knowledge of shellfish species, fisheries, and estuarine habitats
• Familiarity or experience with databases, especially Microsoft Access
• Familiarity or experience with GIS mapping and spatial analysis
• Data management and statistical analysis
• Experimental design and gear preparation
• CPR and First Aid training

 
Although this is a permanent position, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife applications can be obtained from the ODFW’s Jobs Page under seasonal jobs at:http://www.dfw.state.or.us/hr/seasonal_jobs.asp.