Fisheries Biologist/Aquatic Ecologist
2/1/2015
Summary
McBain Associates is a small environmental consulting firm in Arcata, CA specializing in
applying fluvial geomorphology and aquatic ecology to river preservation, management, and
restoration. Our primary interests are: (1) maintaining, or attaining, river ecosystem health in
regulated rivers; (2) assessing impacts of land use activities on stream ecosystems, and (3)
recommending management strategies that improve those ecosystems.
We are presently seeking a motivated and detail-oriented fisheries biologist and/or aquatic
ecologist with at least 5 years of experience that will be responsible for planning and
implementing instream flow studies. Job duties will focus on technical analyses that assess
relationships between flow management and physical habitat, water temperature, fish passage
and fish production. Integration with other instream flow management components, including
stream restoration designs, large wood management, fluvial geomorphology, and other applied
management components, will be required. While emphasis will be on west coast salmonids,
familiarity with other fish species, amphibians, reptiles, and other riparian and aquatic species is
required.
Candidate must be comfortable working in and around flowing water (including working on
boats). Candidate must be comfortable to work on water management issues with participants
having diverse and often conflicting interests, and seek collaborative solutions to these complex
water management issues. Candidate must also have good communication skills for interacting
with clients, landowners, public, NGO’s, universities, students, staff from federal, state, local and
tribal agencies, and collaborating consultants.
Essential Job Functions
 Various instream flow methodologies, including:
o Mesohabitat and microhabitat mapping
o Transect-based assessments (wetted perimeter, R2CROSS)
o 1-D modeling (PHABSIM, HEC-RAS)
o 2-D modeling (MD_SWMS, River2D, SRH-2D, and/or individual-based models)
o Time series analyses
o Fish passage assessments (Thompson method, others)
 Integrate instream flow needs with other disciplines (fish bioenergetics, geomorphology,
riparian vegetation, herpetofauna, benthic invertebrates, recreation, consumptive use)
 Study design development, including budgeting and logistics
 Understanding of California water rights processes and regulations
 Utilizing field equipment necessary to collect instream flow data (current meters, ADCP
equipment, GPS, topographic survey equipment, etc.)
 Task and project management, including staffing and collaborating with
consultants/agencies/clients
 Management and analysis of large datasets, technical analyses and report writing
 Presentations at conferences and publishing in peer-reviewed journals
Additional Desired Job Functions
 Fish bioenergetics analysis/modeling
 Benthic macroinvertebrate sampling and assessment
 Electrofishing, snorkeling, and other fish sampling methods
 Fish tracking, including acoustic telemetry and PIT tagging.
 Supervisory experience
 Statistical analyses
 Habitat design input on channel restoration projects
Job Qualifications
 M.S. or PhD from accredited fisheries, biology, and/or natural resources program
 At least 5 years of experience in applied fishery biology, with emphasis on instream flow
studies related to west coast salmonids
Other Information
Work will also include periodic field work in remote locations within and outside California, but
these trips are typically no more than 7 consecutive days. Position will be in Arcata, California.
Job Term and Benefits
Start date is negotiable, and salary depends on experience (GS 11-13 equivalent). Health, dental,
vision, and retirement plan benefits provided after 90 day introductory period.
Please send cover letter, resume, and three references to jobs@mcbainassociates.com. No calls
please.