CRITFC

Fish Passage Scientist

Salary Range: $85,911 To $111,690 Annually

Schedule: Full-time

Location: Portland, OR

Closing Date: Open until filled.

 

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Position Description & Apply

 
 
 

Position Description:  Fish Passage Scientist 

The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) is a tribal organization, formed in 1977 by four sovereign treaty tribes of the Columbia River Basin: the Yakama Nation, the Nez Perce Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon. CRITFC was created to provide coordination, management, and technical assistance to ensure that the tribes’ treaty fishing rights are protected through the continuation and restoration of tribal fisheries into perpetuity. 

CRITFC is seeking an applicant who will provide technical assistance to CRITFC and its member tribes to identify, evaluate, and implement methods to establish streamflow and hydropower operations needed for the recovery of fishery resources through increased production and survival of basin stocks. The applicant will be expected to have knowledge in water hydrology in order to support application of CRITFC’s tribal salmon recovery plan, Wy-Kan-Ush-Mi  Wa-Kish-Wit (Spirit of the Salmon). A priority will be assessing hydropower dam operations and methods of setting water flow that protect fisheries in the mainstem Columbia and Snake rivers. Also identifying effective streamflows and other measures in tributaries. 

The position is located at the Portland office of CRITFC with remote work options and requires travel up to 25% of the time.  The position requires technical work, collaboration, and the ability to negotiate (in some situations, the issues may be controversial).  At all times, the person in this position will advocate for the member tribes and their fishery resources. 

The applicant is expected to be a self-starter and work well without significant oversight. CRITFC deals with a wide range of issues and the applicant needs to have the ability to transition from these topics. 

 

 

Classification and Compensation: 

This is a full-time, regular position which provides full fringe benefits including retirement, deferred compensation plan, paid vacation and sick leave, medical and dental coverage. 

Major Responsibilities: 

  • Routinely provide CRITFC and tribal staff with summaries of hydrosystem operations and related activities for the Columbia and Snake Rivers; such as actual and projected streamflows, actual and projected runoff volumes, reservoir elevations, and water and air temperature trends.   

  • Recommend and evaluation options for improving fish passage protection with respect to Columbia River Basin hydrologic-related features of the Wy-Kan-Ush-Mi  Wa-Kish-Wit, the Endangered Species Act, licensing proceedings of the Federal Power Act, the Northwest Power Planning Act and processes within programs of the Corps of Engineers, the NOAA Regional Forumns process and others.   

  • Provide technical analysis of fish passage conditions and related issues that require policy decisions. 

  • Represent CRITFC on technical groups, such as the Fish Passage Advisory Committee, (whose members include the tribes of the Columbia Basin, as well as state and federal fisheries agencies) and advise on real-time hydrosystem operations to maximize the protection of migrating salmon and steelhead.   

  • Prepare and provide oral and written presentations where applicable. 

  • Develop and provide computer model analyses of system operation options, especially ways to secure flows and operations needed to recover salmon stocks. 

 

 

Required Qualifications 

  • At least a Bachelor’s degree in hydrology or in civil engineering with emphasis in hydrology or a Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a focus on fisheries.  Three years of job-related experience in a similar position.  Advance degree maybe substituted for experience.   

  • Working knowledge of the Columbia River basin hydrological cycle characteristics and related system control operations. 

  • Experience with hydrologic analysis of large river systems. 

  • Creativity and initiative 

  • Work effectively with little supervision. 

  • Good interpersonal skills, able to work with others to build consensus.  

  • Strong written and oral communication skills. 

  • Experience with modern computing programs, word processing, data management and graphics computer software. 

  • Ability to synthesize and communicate technical water and fish information to staff, member tribes, agencies, and the public. 

  • Ability to travel as needed. 

 

 

Desired Qualifications: 

  • Master’s or higher degree in hydrology or field related experience to position requirements. 

  • Detailed knowledge of the operation of the Federal Columbia River Power System, FERC hydropower projects, the biological needs of anadromous salmonids and related issues that apply to fish passage.   

  • Familiarity with CRITFC and member tribe’s treaty resources.