Seasonal Biological Technician

Cramer Fish Sciences (CFS) is seeking a Seasonal Biological Technician in the Eugene/Albany, Oregon area to support several current CFS projects in the Pacific Northwest.

About the role

Primary work will include adult spring Chinook salmon spawning surveys in the Upper Willamette Valley, stream habitat surveys and backpack electrofishing on remote headwater streams throughout Washington State, and bulk PIT tagging of juvenile Chinook salmon at hatcheries in the Willamette Valley. This position is primarily field-based and involves physically demanding fieldwork, frequent travel, and extended periods working outdoors in remote settings, with limited office time dedicated to data entry, QA/QC, equipment maintenance, and project preparation. Regular field rotations of 4–8 days away from home base are expected, including up to 5 consecutive nights camping in remote areas.

Responsibilities

• Conduct spawning ground surveys in tributaries and mainstem reaches upstream of Detroit, Cougar, and Green Peter reservoirs in the upper Willamette River basin. Surveys involve long days hiking and wading streams or floating rivers by kayak to enumerate live spawners and redds and to sample carcasses. Carcass sampling includes scanning for PIT tags and coded wire tags, recording standard biological measurements (fork length, sex, origin), and collecting tissue samples (otoliths, scales, and fin clips) for age and genetic analysis.
• Conduct electrofishing and habitat surveys on remote headwater streams in Washington State to identify the upstream extent of fish distribution and characterize associated habitat conditions.
• Assist with a variety of other ongoing CFS projects, which may include bulk PIT tagging of juvenile Chinook salmon at hatcheries in the Willamette Valley, snorkel surveys for juvenile salmonids, piscivore diet sampling, and Pacific lamprey trapping. Occasional night work may be required for some of these projects.
• Work with crews of 2–3 individuals daily to conduct field tasks. Extended travel rotations and camping require strong interpersonal skills, mutual support, and effective communication among crew members.
• Maintain routine communication with supervisor and staff to ensure all requirements of the project are met and that project and personnel needs are addressed effectively and efficiently.
• Perform field work in rugged and remote terrain under variable weather conditions including heat, cold, and rain. Work involves extended hiking and kayak travel on rivers and streams, often in wildfire-prone landscapes and recently burned areas requiring situational awareness and strict adherence to field safety protocols.
• Handle adult and juvenile fish using safe handling techniques and best practices. Carcass sampling duties include scanning for PIT and coded wire tags, recording length, sex, and origin, and collecting otolith, scale, and fin clip samples. When assisting with juvenile tagging, measure, weigh, and implant PIT tags in large numbers of juvenile Chinook.
• Collect data following standard protocols with accuracy and precision. Responsible for accurate field data collection, data offloads, and data QA/QC.
• Demonstrate adaptability by shifting between project tasks and work sites as needed to support overall program goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Fisheries Science, Ecology, Environmental Science, or related field preferred.
• Fish identification skills, safe fish handling, and biological data collection experience are essential.
• Excellent communication skills, both with the crew and with supervisors and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365.
• Valid driver's license.
• Ability to work long hours in all weather conditions and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Comfort working and camping in remote environments without cell service for extended periods.
• Ability to work well with others in physically demanding and sometimes stressful conditions.
• Positive attitude.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with spawning ground surveys and carcass sampling.
• Experience with PIT tagging and biological sampling of salmonids.
• Swift Water Training or river kayaking experience (additional on-the-job training will be provided to all selected candidates).
• Wilderness First Aid / CPR/First Aid certification.
• Experience with electrofishing, stream habitat assessments, and snorkel surveys.
• Trailering skills.
• Experience with data QA/QC.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

• Must be able to fulfill the essential duties and responsibilities of this position.
• Must be comfortable working in forests, rivers, streams, and remote backcountry environments for extended periods.
• Must be able to work effectively and drive safely in inclement weather, including hot, cold, rain, fog, and smoky conditions.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
• Flexible hours including some weekends and evenings; travel to remote areas with field rotations of up to 8 days away from home base and up to 5 consecutive nights camping.

Pay

$21 to $24 per hour, depending upon experience.

Benefits

• Paid sick leave with accruals starting on first day of employment.
• Voluntary 401(k) eligibility for company plan.