Fisheries Biologist/Aquatic Ecologist
6/15/2015
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. 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 desirable.
Candidate must be comfortable working in and around flowing water (including working on
boats). Candidate must be comfortable working 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, NGOs, universities, students, staff from federal, state, local and
tribal agencies, and collaborating consultants.
Qualified candidate will have experience in or be willing to learn the following:
 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
 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)
 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
 Statistical analyses
 Fish bioenergetics analysis/modeling
 Benthic macroinvertebrate sampling and assessment
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Electrofishing, snorkeling, and other fish sampling methods
Fish tracking, including acoustic telemetry and PIT tagging.
Population analyses/modeling
Water temperature modeling
Habitat design input on channel restoration projects
Understanding of California water rights processes and regulations
Job Qualifications
 M.S. or PhD. from accredited fisheries, biology, and/or natural resources program (or
current candidate).
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
This is a full-time, permanent position. Start date is immediate, and salary depends on experience
(GS 9-13 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.