Fisheries Assistant (Biological Science Assistant)

Initial Posting Date:

08/04/2026

Application Deadline:

08/16/2026

Agency:

Department of Fish and Wildlife

Salary Range:

$3,515 - $4,124

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Fisheries Assistant (Biological Science Assistant)

Job Description:

Hiring a seasonal position with anticipated duration of October 5, 2026 – May 28, 2027

(These are estimated dates. Length of season(s) may be shortened or extended depending on project needs, funding, or factors beyond the project’s control).

MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OREGON’S NATURAL RESOURCES!

Opportunity Awaits, Apply Today!  We especially encourage students, early career professionals, and anyone interested in a career in fish, wildlife, and natural resources, to apply! Come learn and train with ODFW and help us fulfill our mission: To protect and enhance Oregon's fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future generations.

As a Fisheries Assistant (Biological Science Assistant) in Klamath Falls, Oregon, you will assist the Project Leader in collaboration with ODFW partners (State, Federal, Tribal, and non-governmental organizations) in the collection of data associated with the repopulation of anadromous fishes in the Klamath River Basin. Duties include:

• 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.

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