Under supervision of the Harvest Manager Assistant Director, within the Harvest Management Program, this position monitors and manages the shellfish resources of the Muckleshoot Tribe. This includes both the management of all invertebrate Treaty fisheries within the Tribe’s usual and accustomed fishing areas, and the culture, management, and harvest of all invertebrate species at any parcels owned by the Tribe.  The Shellfish Scientist can also be asked to participate in other Fisheries monitoring and research projects.

This list is intended only to illustrate the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or logical assignment to the position.

1. Participates in all aspects of the shellfish aquaculture projects undertaken by the Tribe. Including procurement of materials; coordination of all planting, culture, and harvesting activities; and coordinating and assisting the Tribal community in fulfilling all shellfish-related opportunities.
2. Participates in design and permitting of shellfish aquaculture projects, and manages an on-going, multi-year shellfish production/enhancement projects.
3. As part of the required monitoring and maintenance of shellfish enhancement projects, regularly uses scuba diving equipment to clean the enhancement structures and to observe and evaluate the health and general conditions of bivalves.
4. Implements field projects designed to improve shellfish management issues; coordinates research project work plans with Federal, tribes, private and other state agencies; reports progress to appropriate manager; submits periodic progress reports outlining current project status, findings, plans, and recommendations. Performs office and/or field investigations.
5. Assists in other Fisheries resources sampling programs designed to provide catch, effort, mortality, species composition, life history, abundance, distribution, age, growth, and other basic biological data.
6. Participates in annual shellfish management planning processes, reviewing and/or coordinates development of shellfish harvest and culture management plans or agreements and files required harvest regulations.
7. Assists in maintaining fisheries/scientific databases. Consults statutes, ordinances, contracts, regulations and other sources involving complex subjects and specialized terminology; summarizes information and prepare reports based on analyses of data and other information sources
8. Designs, implements, trains, and manages research, including diving and dive harvest programs.
9. Operates, and maintaining specialized gear and equipment, including vessels.
10. Prepares reports, graphs and data analysis; prepares correspondence pertaining to technical aspects of the work; uses software to perform calculations, store and track data.
11. Review documents from local governments, State and Federal agencies, and private individuals; and prepare written reports with conclusions and recommendations.
12. Keeps up to date with relevant scientific literature.
13. Following administrative protocols consults with other Fisheries staff on technical issues and provides assistance as needed.
14. Assists other Harvest Management Scientists and the Harvest Management Assistant Director as necessary.
15. Attends various internal and external meetings as required.
16. Because of the Tribe’s commitment to community service and the wellbeing of its members, each employee may be expected to perform a wide range of office and field duties from time to time. Such duties may or may not be related to their regular responsibilities.

• Bachelor’s degree in Marine Science or Fisheries Science from an accredited college or university with at least 34 upper level semester hours (51 quarter hours) in aquatic biology subjects such as limnology, ichthyology, fisheries biology, aquatic botany, aquatic fauna, oceanography, ecology, genetics, aquaculture, or fisheries management. In addition to these required courses, additional course work must include technical writing, and probability and statistics.
• Candidate must have a strong background working directly with a variety of shellfish species, including a minimum of five (5) years working in shellfish aquaculture.
• Current and valid Washington state driver’s license at the time of employment and at all times during employment, SCUBA diving certification and Washington’s boater’s education card.
• Transcripts are required to be included with the job application.

KNOWLEDGE

• Understanding of the theory, principles, and methods of research in fish, shellfish and marine mammal biology, ecology, and conservation.
• Principles of shellfish, fish and marine mammal management and research techniques, including within different types of regulatory processes.
• Knowledge of Treaty fishing rights and Tribal history.

SKILLS

• Proficiency with computers, Microsoft Office suite, data entry and analysis using Excel.
• Operating power boats and river rafts.
• Understanding of Coast Guard boating rules and regulations.
• Collection, preparation, and transport of biological samples following prescribed protocols, including use of standard laboratory and field study methods and equipment. Organizing and scheduling research and management studies; Synthesizing research findings and preparing recommendations.

ABILITIES

• Working independently and on evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Work outside in inclement weather conditions.
• Coordinating and leading the work of other staff.
• Establishing effective working relationships with diverse groups and individuals.
• Communicating effectively orally and in writing with Tribal officials and managers, other governmental officials, employees, and community members, including preparation and delivery of public presentations.

The working conditions described here are representative of those met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this position. Work is performed both outdoors and in an office setting. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear; and occasionally climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 80 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works outside at night and in adverse weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious, slippery places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office, and moderate in the field.