Fisheries Assistant (Biological Science Assistant

Position Title:

Fisheries Assistant (Biological Science Assistant)

Employer:

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW)

Klamath Falls, Oregon, seasonal position from October 5, 2026 – May
28, 2027 (estimated dates; season length may vary).

Salary Range: $3,515 - $4,124

• Walks and floats streams to estimate redd and adult steelhead and salmon numbers.
• Samples adult carcasses, measure lengths, collect scales and tissue samples, determine sex, and assess egg retention.
• Collects snouts from coded-wire-tagged fish.
• Conducts habitat surveys on anadromous fish-bearing streams to assess habitat quality of streams throughout the Klamath River basin.
• Use snorkeling and electrofishing techniques to assess juvenile salmon and steelhead in streams throughout the Klamath River Basin.
• Assists with tagging juvenile salmon and steelhead with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags, and radio telemetry tags and collecting biological information on captured fish.
• Assists in installing, operating, and maintaining PIT detection antennas.
• Assists in the installation and operation of rotary screw traps and other juvenile traps to capture and tag juvenile fish.
• Assists in both stationary and mobile telemetry monitoring of salmon and steelhead.
• Assists in the installation and operation of stream weirs to sample and enumerate adult salmon and steelhead.
• Collects water samples for eDNA, fish disease, and other assessments.
• Installation and maintenance of video monitoring systems and review of captured images to identify and enumerate fish from videos.
• Conducts hook-and-line sampling to collect fish and collect biological information on captured fish.
• Assists with gear maintenance and storage and organization.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.

• Minimum qualifications are not established for this position; however, we are seeking applicants with the following experience or skills.
• Experience collecting and recording data.
• Experience with fish detection systems (PIT, radio telemetry, acoustic telemetry, SONATR).
• Experience reviewing data including video images of fish and determining species and other biological information from captured images.
• Experience installing, operating, and maintaining fish traps and equipment.
• Experience collecting biological data.
• Experience identifying adult and juvenile fish species.
• Data management and entry experience.
• Boating experience with inflatable catarafts, drift boats and/or motorboats.
• Experience angling for salmonids in rivers and streams.
• Anyone who has or is in pursuit of a Fisheries or Wildlife Science degree or related degree in biological/ecological sciences.

This position requires acquiring an All‑Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Safety Education Card obtained through the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department and a Boater Education Certificate obtained through the Oregon State Marine Board within the first 30 days of appointment.

The salary listed is the non‑PERS qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary range will reflect an additional 6.95%.

• 11 paid holidays a year and a competitive benefits package.
• Advancement and learning opportunities that will help grow your career with the State of Oregon.

ODFW is dedicated to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce as we strive to represent and better serve our neighboring communities. Our most important asset is our employees, and each person brings unique, different, and important contributions to the workplace and community we serve.

With Oregon’s changing demographics, a workforce that reflects this change will make us stronger and create an opportunity for better decision making.

Oregon is known for its vineyards, breweries, and adventures for the whole family to enjoy. To learn more about the department, the work we do, and see our beautiful state, view the following video at

The employee in this position will be represented by the Service…