Fisheries Modeling Scientist

Overview

Innovate! Inc. is seeking a Fisheries Modeling Scientist to develop, implement, and advance the NOAA Fisheries COMPASS (Comprehensive Passage) model and related scientific information workflows to evaluate survival, migration, environmental stressors, and management actions across fish life cycles. The role supports ESA litigation and permitting activities and may involve work on-site with NOAA facilities in the Northwest region.

Location:

Seattle, WA. Salary Range: $100,000 - $125,000. Position status:
Full Time with benefits. Contingent upon contract award. On-site work at the Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle, WA or at related field stations in WA or Oregon. Benefits include Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K with match, Life Insurance, and PTO.

• Develop, maintain, and advance the Comprehensive Passage model for use in river systems and across fish life-cycle applications.
• Construct and implement statistical, biological, computational, and quantitative model components evaluating fish survival and migration through hydropower systems.
• Respond to analytical requests from NOAA partners supporting ESA litigation, consultation, and permitting.
• Integrate statistical modeling, computer modeling, quantitative ecological analysis, and scientific software development into reliable COMPASS workflows.
• Collaborate with regional managers and researchers to structure, synthesize, document, and manage environmental and biological data required by model components.
• Complete assigned modeling components and integrate them into COMPASS and life-cycle models for the Columbia River Basin and other systems as needed.
• Conduct analyses using accepted scientific methods and QA/QC practices, including testing, validation, documentation, and peer review.
• Develop and share reproducible modeling scripts, data-processing workflows, and research results through Git Hub and other open-science platforms.
• Prepare written status reports, technical reports, and manuscript contributions; present results at regional and national meetings and conferences.
• Assist with fish and environmental field collection in West Coast freshwater, estuarine, and nearshore environments when needed.

• Extensive experience in quantitative modeling, statistical analysis, ecological data analysis, and scientific software or script development.
• Advanced R programming skills, including design, execution, testing, debugging, and documentation of complex models and analytical workflows.
• Experience with Bayesian methods and mark-recapture analysis is preferred.
• Experience with Stan and JAGS is preferred.
• Ability to interpret or interface with C or C++ code in a scientific modeling environment.
• Experience processing data in Linux or another command-line environment, including shell scripting, is preferred.
• Knowledge of Git Hub, version control, open-science concepts, reproducible workflows, automated testing, configuration management, and scientific information services.
• Familiarity with COMPASS or similar collaborative modeling systems is highly desirable.
• Understanding of Pacific salmon biology, river migration, hydropower systems, Columbia River Basin management, and NOAA Fisheries ESA responsibilities.
• Excellent communication, technical writing, collaboration, and interdisciplinary skills.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace and Microsoft Office.

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in statistics, mathematics, fisheries, ecology, natural sciences, computer science, oceanography, or related quantitative field; a master’s degree is preferred.
• Three or more years of directly relevant experience; an MS may substitute for up to two years and a PhD for up to four years.
• Demonstrated experience developing, maintaining, or integrating scientific models and reproducible data workflows.
• Experience supporting NOAA Fisheries or similar federal programs is strongly preferred.
• Experience with COMPASS, Pacific salmon, Columbia River Basin hydropower, life-cycle modeling, ESA litigation or permitting support, or related modeling is desirable.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and be able to undergo appropriate background investigations.

Innovate! Inc. is a certified woman-owned consulting firm founded in 2002. We provide innovative solutions to management, technology, and program challenges, focusing on performance, integrity, and partnerships with clients across federal, state, local governments, private sector, and academia. We emphasize a culture of excellence and offer opportunities for rapid advancement. Visit  to learn more.

Innovate is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact