As a Nearshore Habitat and Fish Biologist/ Assistant Project Leader (Natural Resource Specialist 2) based in Newport, Oregon, you will assist the Marine Habitat Project Leader in researching and monitoring nearshore marine habitats and associated fish and invertebrate communities. Work tasks include conducting seafloor video surveys using remotely operated vehicles, and collecting, post-processing, analyzing, and archiving survey data. This work supports the Marine Habitat team’s goals of providing a coast-wide habitat focus to the Nearshore Ecology Program and addressing habitat-related resource management needs within the Marine Resources Program, especially within Oregon’s Territorial Sea.
Duties include:
- Conducting at-sea research and monitoring fieldwork, including remotely operated vehicle (ROV) surveys of seafloor habitats and associated biological communities
- Managing multiple ROVs and other field equipment, such as cameras, lights, oxygen sensors, altimeters, hydrophones, and acoustic beacons
- Post-processing (QAQC) raw field data to produce organized archives of electronic records from the ROV, and organize and back up all ROV video data
- Implementing and adapting R software scripts to perform data QC, summaries, and analyses
- Assisting with developing and implementing new methods for surveying nearshore habitat and associated biological communities
- Creating site maps in ArcGIS to support design and planning of field surveys
- Assisting project leader in developing written reports and report graphics
Desired Attributes:
- Experience working in marine environments and able to work at sea for multi-day surveys
- Experience with marine ecological surveys
- Experience with single camera and stereo camera environmental survey systems
- Experience troubleshooting electronic sensor-based data acquisition systems, such as cameras, altimeters, acoustic sensors, and environmental probes
- Experience with maintaining electrical equipment (such as oceanographic equipment) in an aquatic environment
- Experience using R software to evaluate, combine, summarize, visualize and analyze complex datasets
- Experience with ArcGIS, including creating and editing shapefiles
- Experience driving small boats in a marine environment
- Preference given for a Masters degree or higher with a focus in marine science
Apply and view additional details here: Habitat and Fish Biologist Application
Close date: June 23, 2026
Agency: Department of Fish and Wildlife
Salary Range: $4,738 – $7,247
Position Type: Employee (Permanent)
