Shellfish Biologist

Job Description

Job Description

OVERVIEW: This position supports the sustainable management of shellfish resources primarily associated with tribal dive fisheries (geoduck, horse clams, sea urchins, and California sea cucumber) that are co-managed by the Tribe, Salish Sea Tribes, and Washington State. The Shellfish Biologist emphasis on the subtidal dive fishery. This involves field and desktop research and monitoring, and coordination with Salish Sea Tribes and Washington State co-managers, to ensure shellfish resources are harvested in a sustainable manner. 

WORK LOCATION:Lower Elwha Natural Resources Department

SUPERVISED BY:Natural Resources Director

POSITION STATUS:Regular full time/ 40-hours / Benefits

SALARY LEVEL: ($32.00 - $38.00 hourly) DOQ

WORK SCHEDULE: M-F, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm (Some flexibility possible)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF JOB: The Shellfish Biologist will lead research, monitoring, and propagation activities related to shellfish species harvested by the Tribe; provide guidance to harvest managers regarding shellfish life history, population dynamics and other factors relating to harvest management decision making; lead geoduck stock assessment activities; and coordinate geoduck sample collection.

These responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Co-management ofshellfish resourcesin relevant shellfish management areaswith otherSalish Sea Tribes and Washington Stateagencies. 
• Assistfisheries managers in evaluatingfisheries -dependent and independent data to supportrecommendations for annual catch limits and fishing practices.
• Responsible for thedesign, collection, analysis, and interpretation of shellfish data.
• Periodictravelto various locations in Puget Sound to attendshellfishannualharvest managementplanningmeetings, as needed.
• Assistwith the collectionand analysisofshellfish data(geoduck, crab,bivalves,& shrimp)that will help inform harvest management decisions.
• Participation in monthly Fish Committee meetings and periodic regional shellfish co-management meetings.

• Assisttribal harvest managers in coordinatingwithNorthwest Indian Fisheries Commission (NWIFC)and other tribeswithgeneratingand interpretfisheries modelsandevaluate trends andshellfishpopulationforecasts.
• Monitor Washington State Department of Health (DOH)biotoxin results related togeoduck and other bivalve shellfish areas.
• Assistwithsubtidalstock assessment surveys 
• Participate inregulartechnical and policy levelshellfish managementmeetingswith state and tribal co-managers, as needed in support of harvest management staff.
• Manageandmaintainsampling & diveequipmentandensure thatdive gearisannuallyserviced.
• Assistwithmonitoring intertidal bivalve harvests,and conduct weigh-outs, asneeded.
• Developexperimental designs andmethodsnecessary for scientific research and analysisofshellfishpopulation trends.
• Periodic, tide-dependent,evening and weekendfieldworkmay berequired.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’sDegree inFisheries Science, Marine Science, or related field, preferred.
• B.S. Degree in in Fisheries Science, Marine Science, or related field plus 3 years of experience with marine fisheries.
• PADIor NAUI open water dive certificationisrequired ; Advanced diver certification is preferred.
• Experience with the use of statisticalsoftware to analyzebiological data.
• Experiencein conducting scientific dive surveysincold waterenvironments,preferred.
• Somefamiliarity withSalish Seashellfish fisheriesand harvest techniquespreferred.
• Experience withmarine fisheries management preferred.

• Experience withboat operationpreferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES REQUIRED BY POSITION:

• Familiarity withcommercial & subsistence shellfish speciesidentification andassociatedlife history characteristics.
• Ability to follow instructions and adhere to prescribed routines and practices, policies, and procedures.
• Advancedunderstanding ofMicrosoftExcelandWordis preferred.
• Significant knowledge of scientific methods and study design necessary toestablishmonitoring programs.
• Ability toestablishand maintain good communications with tribal staff,tribal andstateco-managers,andtribal commercial fishers.
• Advanced oral and written communication skills.
• Requires ability to workindependently andas a team memberwith fisheriesand harvest management staff.

OTHER DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able tocomply withthe LOWER ELWHA KLALLAM TRIBE policies and procedures, including the Drug Free Workplace.
• Valid Washington Statedriverslicensewith no restrictions
• Pass pre-employment,UAand State Background check.

As with all positions of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, this position is Indian Preference in hiring in Accordance with P.L. 93- 638.