CRITFC offers competitive compensation and an exceptional benefits package, including medical, dental, 401(k), 12 days of vacation (to start), 13 paid holidays, and paid sick time. We provide professional development opportunities, promote from within, and have a Native hiring preference as part of our commitment to our people. As a result, you will find a work environment that supports and inspires our shared goals of protecting the natural world and the tribal cultural connection to it.

The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission (CRITFC) is a tribal organization, formed in 1977 by four sovereign treaty tribes of the Columbia River Basin: the Yakama Nation, the Nez Perce Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon. CRITFC was created to provide coordination, management, and technical assistance to ensure that the tribes’ treaty fishing rights are protected through the continuation and restoration of tribal fisheries into perpetuity.

Summary

CRITFC is seeking a Fisheries Geneticist with experience in population genomics and genetic monitoring applications and has in-depth knowledge of current molecular genomics techniques. The applicant will coordinate activities of a mobile genetics lab to provide rapid genetic analyses to support fisheries recovery and monitoring priorities for member tribes in the Columbia River Basin. The applicant will have experience in wet lab preparation of DNA, bioinformatic processing skills, statistical analyses of genetic data, and reporting of results. The position will supervise a lab technician as they work together in a mobile lab to process genetic samples at various locations. The position will receive support from staff based at the Hagerman Genetics Lab but must be able to work independently while the mobile lab is deployed.

This position will be based at one of the CRITFC offices in either Portland or Hagerman depending on circumstances. The position requires travel up to 60% of the time during peak seasons (June-Sept), with options for hybrid remote work in other seasons of the year. The position requires the ability to coordinate with fisheries managers and biologists to schedule activities and provide regular reports of repeated genetic analyses completed in the mobile lab. This position works within the genetics program to support CRITFC’s tribal salmon recovery plan Wy-Kan-Ush-Mi Wa-Kish-Wit “Spirit of the Salmon”. The aim of this work is to assist with salmon recovery in the Columbia River basin to ensure that the four CRITFC member tribes (Nez Perce, Umatilla, Warm Springs, and Yakama) retain traditional salmon fisheries as they have through millennia. The Fisheries Geneticist will focus on applying empirical genetics/genomics data to address questions related to conservation and recovery of steelhead, Chinook, sockeye, and coho salmon, white sturgeon, Pacific lamprey, and other fishes of the Columbia River Basin.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and schedule activities for mobile lab deployment.
• Develop sampling designs and protocols for studies, including optimization for rapid generation of results.
• Conduct laboratory analyses with optimized methods for rapid genotyping.
• Perform data analysis with heavy emphasis on population genetics/genomics.
• Produce reports and peer reviewed publications of key scientific results.
• Execute research in accord with developed proposals.
• Develop research proposals to attract extramural funding.
• Participate in interagency workgroups.
• Provide technical advice and reviews in the areas of genetics and conservation biology to tribal staff, legal counsel, and policy makers.

Qualifications

• PhD in field of molecular biology, genetics, fishery biology, ecology or a related discipline. (If PhD is near completion at time of application, a letter must be provided from Advisor stating the expected completion date.)
• Research experience related to population or conservation genetics.
• In depth knowledge and experience with current molecular genomics techniques (i.e., SNP genotyping, GT-seq, whole genome resequencing).
• Excellent understanding of population genetics theory.
• Experience in statistical analyses and the relevant software.
• High competency in both R and Linux frameworks.
• Publication record of articles in peer reviewed journals.
• Strong writing and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop, guide and work within interdisciplinary teams.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience or competence in fishery biology is a plus.
• Database experience, programming skills on Linux/Unix operating systems, and competency in Shell, Bash, Python, and Perl scripting is a plus.
• Experience with development of eDNA applications.
• Knowledge of the fishes of the Columbia River and western United States is a plus.
• Knowledge or dedication to learn tribal history and customs of CRITFC’s four member tribes.

Working conditions

Most of the work during peak season (June-Sept) is performed in a mobile laboratory deployed at multiple locations in the Columbia River Basin. At other times of the year, most of the work is performed in an office setting, but a portion of work will occur in a field setting as needed. This staff member will attend and present relevant results at regional meetings, conferences and workshops,

CRITFC Motor Vehicle Policy

This job requires frequent driving of a CRITFC vehicle with ability to tow/back a trailer, and therefore you must be able to meet the terms of the CRITFC Motor Vehicle policy. Per the policy, applicants are required to have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record for the past three years. This includes a three-year record clear of the following:

• Reckless Driving
• Driving Under the Influence
• Suspension or revoked license
• No more than two at-fault accidents
• No more than one major violation or two minor violations.

Native Hiring Preference

CRITFC implements a tribal preference policy and encourages citizens and descendants of our member tribes (Nez Perce, Umatilla, Warm Springs, and Yakama) and other federally recognized tribes to apply.

CRITFC is committed to building a culturally inclusive community and a work environment that respects and inspires every person. Members of historically marginalized groups including women, people of color, those with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, those who have served in the military, and members of other underrepresented communities are invited to apply.

Recruitment period: Opened until filled.