Fisheries Biometrician

Job Description - Fisheries Biometrician (26141168) This statewide position offers the opportunity to shape fisheries management and decision‑making across Montana. The role involves statewide travel and requires technical expertise, strategic thinking, and interpersonal skills. The duty station will be in Helena or the Regional Offices in Kalispell, Missoula, Bozeman, Great Falls, Billings, Glasgow, or Miles City. Key Responsibilities Developing and conducting statistical analyses of fish population dynamics statewide, including population modeling, occupancy and abundance estimation, and evaluating effects of angling, management actions, and environmental conditions on fish populations. Designing studies and surveys to address fisheries management questions, including determining sampling frameworks, sample sizes, and monitoring approaches needed to reliably estimate population parameters. Collaborating with field biologists, regional managers, and research partners to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights and management strategies. Overseeing and improving automated analytical and reporting systems (e.g., Quarto/R platforms) to improve consistency, transparency, and efficiency in statewide reporting. Leading structured decision‑making and adaptive management processes for fisheries management, including formal decision analysis and coordination across regions and staff. Near‑term Priorities Advancing population modeling and adaptive decision frameworks for brown and rainbow trout in southwest Montana, with potential expansion to additional species and ecosystems. Leading the development of multi‑species occupancy models for Montana’s prairie fish monitoring program, aiming to update species status and identify key, management‑relevant environmental drivers. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Behaviors) Biology: Basic knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with the environment; understanding of modern ecological concepts and community dynamics. Fisheries field survey methods: Intimate familiarity and experience with design and implementation of fisheries surveys and inventory methods, including active and passive fish sampling techniques, advanced telemetry tracking, and emerging techniques. Statistics and Biometrics: Proficiency in survey sampling techniques, experimental design, inferential statistics, categorical data analysis, generalized linear modeling, likelihood, Bayesian methods, predictive modeling, and decision‑analysis methods; ability to develop novel statistical and mathematical approaches and communicate results intuitively. Writing and Verbal Skills: Demonstrated ability in verbal and written communication, active listening, and effective information conveyance. Computer Skills: Advanced computer skills including word processing, database management, programming languages (MS Access, Python, Java, Oracle, MySQL, SQL Server), ecological software, and statistical software (R, WinBUGS, SPSS, SAS); ability to develop new software such as ShinyApps. Active Learning: Ability to understand and apply new information to current and future problem solving and decision making; capability to learn new things from training materials. Critical Thinking: Application of logic and reasoning to evaluate strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches. Judgment and Decision Making: Consideration of relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. Administration: Skills in supervision and budgeting. Minimum Qualifications Master’s degree in Statistics, Statistical Ecology, Quantitative Ecology, Fisheries Biology (quantitative emphasis), or equivalent; at least 20 semester hours of statistics, including two semesters of statistical theory, probability, and inferential statistics. Minimum two years’ experience in quantitative science, statistical analysis of biological data, fish and fisheries ecology, and demonstrated verbal and written communication skills. Advanced computer skills including word processing, database management, programming languages (MS Access, Python, Java, Oracle, MySQL, SQL Server) and statistical software (R, WinBUGS, SPSS, SAS); experience in programming in these languages. Demonstrated ability to develop software (e.g., ShinyApps) and to program in the listed languages. Salary $38.18 – $38.18 hourly. Location Helena or the Regional Offices in Kalispell, Missoula, Bozeman, Great Falls, Billings, Glasgow, or Miles City. Benefits Employees who exceed 1,040 hours in a calendar year receive health, dental, and life insurance. Other benefits include retirement, paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays. This position may also be covered by a VEBA. EEO Statement Women and minorities are under‑represented in this job category and are encouraged to apply. The State of Montana does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant. Background Check A successful applicant will be subject to a background investigation. #J-18808-Ljbffr