Natural Resource Specialist 3 (Hydropower Program Biologist)

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, United States

Updated: about 1 year ago
Location: Clackamas, OREGON
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: 20 Mar 2023

Agency
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
Location
Clackamas, Oregon
Job Category
Full time Positions
Salary
$4,693.00 - $7,180.00
Last Date to Apply
03/20/2023
Website
https://oregon.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/SOR_External_Career_Site/job/Clackamas--ODFW/Natural-Resource-Specialist-3--Hydropower-Program-Biologist-_REQ-116319
Description
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has an immediate opening for a Natural Resource Specialist 3 (Hydro Program Biologist) position located in Clackamas, Oregon. What you will do: Represent the Department during all stages of project licensing and relicensing for hydropower projects in the northern portion of the West Region to protect, mitigate and enhance fish and wildlife and their habitats by doing the following: Review proposed hydropower applications and results of environmental studies to evaluate fish and wildlife impacts. Recommend measures to protect and enhance fish and wildlife populations as well as mitigate for losses, including but not limited to fish screens and ladders, minimum flows below dams, protection or restoration of riparian habitat and reservoir inundation of fish and wildlife habitat, and avoidance of impacts to threatened and endangered fish and wildlife species. Determine, prepare, and communicate agency positions and recommendations on issues related to hydro projects, including the need for studies, interpretation of results, Department management objectives, and actions and facilities necessary to protect and enhance fish and wildlife habitats and populations that may be affected by proposed or operational hydropower projects. Provide technical and policy assistance to planners and consultants on proposed and operational hydropower projects. Information provided by the Department, such as fish screen criteria and existing data on species presence and habitat value, is used by applicants to develop study proposals, license applications, and mitigation plans and designs. Provide on-site assistance for small project applicants and operators in assessing project-related impacts to fish and wildlife, including but not limited to conducting simple flow assessment studies, taking measurements at screens and bypasses, making recommendations for facility modifications, and conducting small scale biological evaluations. Represent the Department to the Oregon Water Resource Department (WRD) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on issues related to compliance and enforcement of existing, operating hydro projects in the northern portion of the West Region to ensure that fish and wildlife protection, mitigation and enhancement measures, such as riparian habitat restoration or fish ladders, are properly implemented, operated and maintained by the project owner, by the following: Visit and become familiar with existing and proposed hydropower projects to view protection, mitigation and enhancement measures and project facilities to understand how the project is supposed to operate before compliance problems occur. Prepare documentation of compliance issues, such as failure to maintain required minimum flows, based on consultation and review with district biologists and submit to FERC and WRD; request FERC and WRD action to rectify problems. 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.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications: • Three years of biological, ecological or hydrological experience performing studies, research, or resource management activities in a fisheries, hydrology, water management, stream ecology or related program. At least one year of the experience must be at a technical or professional level performing activities such as researching and analyzing data, conducting investigations, applying pertinent laws and regulations, or coordinating and monitoring project activities; AND • A Bachelor's degree in Fisheries, Hydrology, Water Management, Stream Ecology or a closely-related Bachelor's degree with at least 45 quarter (30 semester) hours of biological/ecological/hydrological coursework, or three additional years of biological, ecological or hydrological experience performing studies, research, or resource management activities in a fisheries, hydrology, water management, stream ecology or related program. A Master's degree in Fisheries, Hydrology, Water Management, Stream Ecology or a closely related Master's degree in biological/ecological/hydrological sciences will substitute for up to one year of the required experience. A Doctorate degree in Fisheries, Hydrology, Water Management, Stream Ecology or a closely related Doctorate degree in biological/ecological/hydrological sciences will substitute for up to two years of the required experience. Applicants who have obtained a Master's degree or Doctorate that included work experience from an internship, work/study, thesis, or similar program may list this experience in their application to receive credit for the work experience. The Master's degree/Doctorate and applicable work experience will be considered separately, and both the education and applicable experience may count toward minimum qualifications. Requested Skills: • Knowledge of fish and wildlife species life histories and habitat requirements and an ability to accurately predict the effects of hydropower operations on these species • Ability to clearly communicate complex science, policies, technical data and concepts orally and in writing • Ability to work cooperatively and negotiate effectively with others even in tense or controversial situations. A sense of diplomacy is very important • Knowledge of laws, policies and regulations protecting fish and wildlife habitat • Prior experience evaluating impacts of projects or activities on fish, wildlife, and habitat resources • Working with others on controversial natural resource issues • Preparing written documents
Contact Person
Human Resources
Contact Phone
503-947-6051

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