Native Aquatics Biologist

Job Title

Native Aquatics Biologist - Wildlife Biologist I

The UDWR Moab Field Station is looking for a native aquatics biologist I (Wildlife Biologist I) to join our team. Incumbent will serve as Principal Investigator on various fisheries projects on the Colorado, Green, and San Juan Rivers with the goal of monitoring, researching, managing, and recovering the endangered and threatened fishes of the Upper Colorado River Basin. Candidate must have strong desire to spend long field season (March-October) on multi-day river trips in remote canyons of the Desert Southwest.

The Native Aquatics Program in the Division of Wildlife Resources in southeastern Utah provides an excellent opportunity to participate in native species conservation in remote canyon reaches of the Green, Colorado, and San Juan Rivers. The work has a wide variety of project objectives, project locations, species, sampling methods, and data analysis techniques. Come join a skilled, respectful, enthusiastic, committed team of biologists and technicians.

This position is based out of Moab, a hub of outdoor recreation, a diverse and vibrant community, and endless backcountry to explore on your days off. This job provides opportunities for career advancement through job experience, trainings, and/or education assistance programs. Additionally, the state of Utah offers a generous leave and benefits package.

View Utah State Benefits

For more information about the department of division, please click the links below:

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Utah Department of Natural Resources

• Serve as Principal Investigator for several fisheries research, monitoring, and management projects; design, plan, and implement scientific studies.
• Lead multi-day field efforts in remote river locations with crews up to 9 people.
• Collect, record, and manage accurate scientific data in accordance with complex sampling protocols.
• Capture fish using various methods including raft and boat-mounted electrofishers, seines, trammel nets, light traps, and hoop nets.
• Identify, measure, and PIT tag endangered, native, and nonnative fishes of the Upper Colorado River Basin.
• Analyze data to answer research questions, model population trends, and support management decisions.
• Report and present findings in formal and informal settings, in written and verbal forms.
• Treat coworkers and the public with dignity, equality, empathy, and respect.

• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries, Natural Sciences, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Research & Analysis:
  Experience designing field studies and managing data (QA/QC). Proficiency in Program R, Excel, and Program MARK for population modeling.
• Field Operations:
  Experience leading fisheries work, including
  • Operating oar-powered rafts and motorized boats; trailer towing.
  • Electrofishing, netting, trapping, fish identification, and PIT tagging.
  • General gear maintenance and troubleshooting.
• Communication:
  Proficiency in technical scientific writing and oral presentations.
• Leadership:
  Ability to lead or support teams within a respectful, inclusive work culture.

• Advanced
  
  Education:
  
  Master’s degree in Fisheries or Aquatic Ecology.
• Technical Expertise:
  Advanced population modeling (MARK) and management of large, complex datasets.
• Specialized Field
  
  Skills:
  
  Navigation of Class IV whitewater and operation/repair of jet/propeller motors on large rivers.
• Safety & Species:
  Swiftwater rescue and wilderness medical training; experience with endangered species.
• Specialized Gear:
  Experience with ETS electrofishers, larval light traps, and digital data loggers (Juniper Systems/Data Plus).
• Leadership & Culture:
  Experience supervising teams of 5+ on multi‑day remote trips (3–10 days).

• Risks which require the use of special safety precautions and/or equipment, e.g., working around operating machines, working with contagious diseases or hazardous chemicals, etc.
• Work requires physical exertion. May require the ability to stand, walk over rough surfaces, bend, crouch, stoop, stretch, reach,…