Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Aquaculture & Fisheries

The Fisheries Biologist provides a variety of science-based support to the LTBB Natural Resources Commission, LTBB Natural Resources Department and the Tribal Council. The Fisheries Biologist is responsible for co-administering the Tribe’s Great Lakes Fishery Program within the Natural Resource Department. The GL fishery program assists with the management of tribal commercial and subsistence fisheries on the 1836 Treaty waters of the Great Lakes. This position will regularly be tasked with data analyses and may play an integral role during the 2020 Consent Decree negotiation process.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain the fisheries program and budget.
• Co-supervise and oversee a Great Lakes Fishery Program staff consisting of full and part time support workers.
• Ensure that annual standardized monitoring efforts are completed in a timely and accurate fashion.
• Provide oversight for the Department’s Fish Enhancement Facility (hatchery).
• Collect, maintain, and analyze data to provide annual population statistics on important fish stocks.
• Provide written analysis of catch/effort and assessment statistics for the purpose of determining population status, including age-class distribution, growth coefficients, mortality sources and rates, and relative abundance.
• Represent the Tribe on interagency committee(s) responsible for calculating and recommending Harvest Limits for the fishery
• Responsible for the experimental design and implementation of field research and assessment projects on Great Lakes fish populations.
• Attend inter-tribal and intergovernmental meetings as assigned to represent the Tribe’s interest in utilizing the natural resources of the Great Lakes.
• Research and develop study plans for dealing with current and future challenges (lack of lake trout reproduction, impact of exotic species, whitefish and perch population dynamics etc.) facing the Great Lakes Fishery.
• Explore and describe data using statistical software and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• Be familiar with all aspects and achieve compliance with the 2000 Great Lakes Consent Decree and other relevant federal/state/inter-tribal court orders or agreements.
• Oversee maintenance of records of harvest and assessment data in accordance with Waganakising Odawa Statutes and maintain in database for technical reports and presentations. 
• Calculate population dynamics parameters and model various fish stocks using stock assessment computer models.
• Conduct literature reviews and prepare special reports on the status of the fishery for the LTBB Natural Resources Commission, Tribal Attorney and the LTBB Tribal Council and other agencies as requested.
• Pursue and secure funding in support of program goals. Publish the results of ongoing and new research and monitoring efforts in peer reviewed journals
• Make recommendations to the LTBB Natural Resource Director and Commission regarding changes that will enhance the effectiveness and execution of program goals.
• Other duties may be assigned.

• Qualifications:
• Bachelor of Science degree from four-year college/university in Fisheries, Aquatic Ecology and minimum of two years of experience in the field is required. Master of Science degree preferred.
• Experience in Fisheries fieldwork, proficiency with database, statistical, spreadsheet software.
• Must have modeling or statistical experience.
• Must have large lake and large boat (26’ and over) operation experience.
• Must be able create and conduct Great Lake fishery assessments.
• Must be able to prepare and present verbal and or written reports at scientific/management meetings.
• Expertise with computer software. (Microsoft Office products, R, ArcGIS, etc.)
• Must be self-motivated, trustworthy, and dependable.
• Employee must present a professional appearance, attitude and demeanor in all situations.
• Must possess excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Must be detail-oriented.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and be insurable.