Native Aquatics Biologist I

Full Job Description

Job Title: Native Aquatics Biologist - Wildlife Biologist I

Job Description:
The UDWR Moab Field Station is looking for a native aquatics biologist I (Wildlife Biologist I) to join our team. Incumbent will serve as Principal Investigator on various fisheries projects on the Colorado, Green, and San Juan Rivers with the goal of monitoring, researching, managing, and recovering the endangered and threatened fishes of the Upper Colorado River Basin. Candidate must have strong desire to spend long field season (March-October) on multi-day river trips in remote canyons of the Desert Southwest.

Why you should join our team:
The Native Aquatics Program in the Division of Wildlife Resources in Southeastern Utah, provides on excellent opportunity to participate in native species conservation in remote canyon reaches of the Green, Colorado, and San Juan Rivers. The work has a wide variety of project objectives, project locations, species, sampling methods, and data analysis techniques. Come join a skilled, respectful, enthusiastic, committed team of biologists and technicians. This position is based out of Moab, a hub of outdoor recreation, a diverse and vibrant community, and endless backcountry to explore on you days off. This job provides opportunities for career advancement through job experience, trainings, and/or education assistance programs. Additionally, the state of Utah offers a generous leave and benefits package.
View Utah State Benefits

For more information about the department of division, please click the links below:
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Utah Department of Natural Resources

Requirements

As a native aquatics biologist, you will:

Qualifications

Required/ Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries, Natural Sciences, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Research & Analysis: Experience designing field studies and managing data (QA/QC). Proficiency in Program R, Excel, and Program MARK for population modeling.
• Field Operations: Experience leading fisheries work, including:
  • Operating oar-powered rafts and motorized boats; trailer towing.
  • Electrofishing, netting, trapping, fish identification, and PIT tagging.
  • General gear maintenance and troubleshooting.
• Communication: Proficiency in technical scientific writing and oral presentations.
• Leadership: Ability to lead or support teams within a respectful, inclusive work culture.

Preferred/Additional Qualifications:

• Advanced Education: Master’s degree in Fisheries or Aquatic Ecology.
• Technical Expertise: Advanced population modeling (MARK) and management of large, complex datasets.
• Specialized Field Skills: Navigation of Class IV whitewater and operation/repair of jet/propeller motors on large rivers.
• Safety & Species: Swiftwater rescue and wilderness medical training; experience with endangered species.
• Specialized Gear: Experience with ETS electrofishers, larval light traps, and digital data loggers (Juniper Systems/DataPlus).
• Leadership & Culture: Experience supervising teams of 5+ on multi-day remote trips (3–10 days).

Additional Information

Working Conditions:

• Risks which require the use of special safety precautions and/or equipment, e.g., working around operating machines, working with contagious diseases or hazardous chemicals, etc.
• Work requires physical exertion. May require the ability to stand, walk over rough surfaces, bend, crouch, stoop, stretch, reach, and lift moderately heavy items (up to 50 pounds) in a recurring manner and/or for long periods of time.
• May have some telework options, upon management approval.*

Certifications/Licenses required at time of hire or must be obtained during probationary period or designated timeframe:

• Wilderness Medical Training (WAFA, WFR, or WEMT)- (to be completed within 1 year of hire)
• Swiftwater Rescue Training- (to be completed within 1 year of hire)

Other requirements:

• Must possess or be able to obtain a valid driver's license.
• Must be able to row heavy rafts in Class III - IV whitewater and/or operate motorized jon boats in shallow, riverine conditions.
• Must be able to lift 50+ lbs., work on unstable surfaces, work long hours in rugged and remote areas in inclement (very hot, very cold, wet, windy, dark) weather.
• Must be able to work in these conditions while maintaining a respectful, inclusive, and team-oriented attitude that contributes positively to group morale.
• Must be willing and eager to spend a long field season on up to 10-day trips in remote locations.
• Must have a strong desire to be part of a team.

Miscellaneous:

• Overnight field work in remote river locations for extended periods (up to 10 days at a time, 80 days a year).
• Schedule is highly variable during field season (March-October).
• Affordable housing in Moab is difficult to find and while we hope to be able to assist with this financial burden in the future, there is currently no housing or housing stipend or COLA provided.

*Please note, a position's eligibility for telework is established by agency management and is subject to change at their discretion at any time and for any reason.