Fish and Wildlife Scientist II

at State of Vermont in Essex, Vermont, United States

Job Description

The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department (VFWD) is currently recruiting for a Fish and Wildlife Scientist II position for the Essex Junction District office. This position will work with fisheries professionals on Lake Champlain and inland ponds and streams in northwest Vermont. Work will focus on a wide variety of projects including assessment of Salmonid and Walleye fisheries on Lake Champlain, monitoring endangered Lake Sturgeon, sampling wild Brook Trout in headwater streams, and evaluating panfish populations in inland ponds 

This position supports a wide range of fisheries management activities, including fieldwork, lab analysis, equipment maintenance, and data analysis and summarization. While projects are guided by supervising fisheries biologists, this role often involves independent coordination and execution. The ideal candidate will bring a solid foundation in fish biology and sampling techniques, mechanical aptitude, and strong communication and organizational skills. 

 Responsibilities:

• Maintain, operate, and repair fisheries equipment such as motorboats, trailers, ATVs, electrofishing units, nets, and other sampling gear. 
• Lead and implement diverse field projects as directed by fisheries biologists. 
• Train and supervise seasonal staff, ensuring safety protocols are followed and data is accurately collected. 
• Assist with operations aboard the Department's 31-foot research vessel Dore on Lake Champlain.
• Conduct angler surveys on various district waters. 
• Extract and age fish structures in accordance with established lab protocols. 
• Manage purchasing, contracts, and associated administrative paperwork. 
• Engage in public outreach and serve as a professional representative of the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. 

Key Experience: 

• Experience with large boat operations in large lake systems. 
• Experience leading sampling crews and direct project oversight. 
• Experience multi-tasking multiple projects and work requirements. 

The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in fish biology and sampling techniques, experience operating motorboats on large waterbodies, and can demonstrate mechanical aptitude for maintaining and troubleshooting field equipment. Success in this role also requires excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, along with the ability to independently plan, prioritize, and carry out complex tasks. 

Duties are performed in both an office and a field setting. Field work may require traversing rough terrain and bodies of water in all weather conditions. Duties may require work outside of normal office hours. Attendance may be required at a variety of public meetings, hearings, and seminars, where strong adversarial opinions and some hostility may be encountered. Private means of transportation may be required for necessary travel.