Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Aquatic Biologist

🎯 Role Definition

We are seeking an experienced Aquatic Biologist to lead and execute freshwater and marine ecological studies, design and implement field monitoring programs, analyze biological and chemical data, and communicate findings to stakeholders and regulatory agencies. The Aquatic Biologist will manage sampling efforts (boat, wade, and SCUBA where applicable), perform species and habitat assessments, ensure quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) of data, prepare technical reports and permit documentation, and support habitat restoration and invasive species management. Ideal candidates demonstrate strong field skills, proficiency in spatial and statistical tools (ArcGIS, R/Python), regulatory familiarity (NEPA/CEQA, Clean Water Act), and proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Field Technician / Aquatic Field Technician
Research Assistant (Aquatic Ecology or Fisheries)
Environmental Technician (water quality monitoring)

Advancement To:

Senior Aquatic Biologist / Senior Fisheries Biologist
Project Manager or Technical Lead (Restoration / Monitoring Projects)
Environmental Scientist or Research Scientist

Lateral Moves:

Wetland Scientist
Environmental Consultant (aquatic resources)
Fisheries Biologist / Hatchery Biologist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Plan, design, and implement comprehensive aquatic monitoring programs including fish population assessments, benthic invertebrate surveys, hydrological measurements, and water quality sampling to support regulatory compliance, research, and habitat restoration projects.
Lead field teams to conduct boat-based and wade surveys, electrofishing, seine netting, fyke/net trap deployment, and snorkel or SCUBA surveys, ensuring safe operations, proper equipment use, and accurate collection of biological and environmental data.
Conduct species inventories and population viability analyses for fish, invertebrates, amphibians, and aquatic plants, using standardized protocols to identify trends, habitat associations, and conservation priorities.
Collect, preserve, and process biological samples for laboratory analysis (e.g., tissue sampling, chlorophyll, nutrient analysis, benthic macroinvertebrate taxonomy), maintaining chain-of-custody, proper sample handling, and QA/QC documentation.
Develop and apply sampling protocols and study designs (randomized, stratified, longitudinal) to ensure statistically robust results, and coordinate adaptive sampling as field conditions dictate.
Perform water chemistry analyses in the field and coordinate with analytical laboratories for parameters such as DO, pH, conductivity, turbidity, nutrients (N, P), metals, and contaminants of concern; interpret results in ecological context.
Use GIS (ArcGIS, QGIS) and remote sensing to map habitat distribution, watershed boundaries, riparian corridors, and anthropogenic impacts; create high-quality maps and spatial analyses to support technical reports and presentations.
Apply statistical analyses using R, Python, or similar tools to analyze population data, assess habitat associations, run trend analyses, and produce reproducible data workflows and visualizations for decision-makers.
Prepare technical reports, biological assessments, monitoring summaries, peer-reviewed manuscripts, and permitting documentation (401/404, NMFS, USFWS, state agencies), ensuring clarity, scientific rigor, and regulatory alignment.
Lead environmental impact and risk assessments (NEPA/CEQA support), evaluate project effects on aquatic resources, and recommend avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures consistent with agency expectations.
Coordinate and manage multi-stakeholder field programs, liaise with federal/state agencies, tribal partners, NGOs, industry clients, and landowners to integrate scientific objectives and regulatory requirements into project scope.
Supervise, train, and mentor field staff and interns, oversee health and safety compliance (boat safety, confined space, SCUBA, PPE), and enforce site-specific safety plans and incident reporting procedures.
Manage project budgets, scopes, timelines, and subcontractors for monitoring, laboratory analyses, and permitting activities, ensuring timely delivery of milestones and adherence to contractual obligations.
Develop grant proposals, scopes of work, and technical budgets to secure funding for monitoring and restoration programs, and support client development with technical writing and proposal content.
Design and implement habitat restoration and enhancement projects (riparian planting, in-stream structure placement, culvert replacement), oversee construction monitoring, and evaluate restoration efficacy through post-construction monitoring.
Evaluate and implement invasive species monitoring and control plans (early detection, eradication, management), including chemical, mechanical, and biological control approaches tailored to aquatic environments.
Maintain and calibrate field instrumentation (multiparameter sondes, YSI, flow meters, ADCPs, GPS) and ensure instrument QA/QC, calibration logs, and data integrity across field campaigns.
Conduct ecological risk assessments for contaminants of emerging concern, coordinate with toxicologists if necessary, and provide science-based recommendations for remediation and remediation monitoring.
Develop standardized data management workflows, maintain databases and metadata records, and ensure data are FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable) for internal and external stakeholders.
Present study methods, interim findings, and final results to technical audiences, regulatory agencies, stakeholders, and the public through meetings, workshops, and stakeholder consultations.
Stay current on regulatory developments, best practices, and scientific literature in aquatic ecology, fisheries science, and water quality to apply the latest methodologies and to inform adaptive management.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests, produce custom data visualizations, and perform exploratory analyses to inform permitting, restoration prioritization, and engineering design decisions.
Assist senior staff in proposal preparation, scope development, and cost estimating for aquatic monitoring and restoration projects.
Maintain inventory of field supplies, coordinate logistics for multi-day field campaigns, and arrange vessel, vehicle, and equipment maintenance and certifications.
Contribute to internal QA/QC program improvements, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and field safety trainings; document lessons learned and update protocols accordingly.
Facilitate community and stakeholder outreach activities, public workshops, and educational events to promote aquatic resource stewardship and transparency of scientific results.
Provide technical support to ecological modeling efforts (habitat suitability models, population viability analysis, hydrodynamic models) and collaborate with modelers and engineers to integrate biological data.
Coordinate laboratory sample submission and review results with QA/QC teams to reconcile anomalies, update chain-of-custody documentation, and recommend re-sampling when necessary.
Support GIS database maintenance, spatial data QA/QC, and the production of publication-quality figures and maps for reports and permitting packages.
Participate in business development activities by identifying opportunities, developing technical approaches, and contributing to client-facing presentations highlighting aquatic expertise.
Serve as an on-call field lead for emergency response situations affecting aquatic resources (spills, fish kills, flood events), coordinating rapid assessments and initial reporting.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Field sampling methodologies: electrofishing (boat and backpack), seine netting, trawling, fyke traps, kick nets, and benthic core sampling.
Aquatic species identification and taxonomy: fish, macroinvertebrates, amphibians, aquatic plants; use of dichotomous keys and lab identification techniques.
Water quality sampling & instrumentation: multiparameter sondes, dissolved oxygen (DO), conductivity, turbidity, nutrient sampling, and QA/QC calibration protocols.
Laboratory sample handling and chain-of-custody procedures; experience coordinating with commercial and research analytical labs.
GIS and spatial analysis: ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, spatial data management, geoprocessing, habitat mapping, and cartography for reports and permits.
Statistical analysis and scripting: R (tidyverse, ggplot2), Python (pandas, matplotlib), basic familiarity with statistical modeling, ANOVA, regression, and time series analysis.
Data management: relational databases, metadata standards, CSV/Excel hygiene, version control, and reproducible workflows for ecological datasets.
Regulatory knowledge: Clean Water Act (Section 401/404), NEPA, CEQA, Endangered Species Act consultation processes, and state-level aquatic resource permitting.
Project management: budgeting, scope control, scheduling, subcontractor oversight, and deliverable management for multi-disciplinary teams.
Restoration design and monitoring: riparian restoration, in-stream structure placement, monitoring plan development, and post-implementation effectiveness monitoring.
Boat operation and watercraft safety: small vessel handling, trailer launching, vessel maintenance, and adherence to USCG or local regulations; SCUBA certification where applicable.
Technical writing: preparation of biological assessment reports, monitoring summaries, permitting documents, and scientific manuscripts.

Soft Skills

Strong written and verbal communication skills for technical reports, regulatory coordination, and stakeholder engagement.
Leadership and team management: supervising field crews, mentoring junior staff, and coordinating interdisciplinary teams in the field and office.
Problem solving and critical thinking: adapt protocols and logistics in response to challenging field conditions and data anomalies.
Attention to detail and organization for QA/QC, sample chain-of-custody, and data integrity.
Time management and prioritization to balance concurrent projects, field seasons, and reporting deadlines.
Client-facing professionalism and interpersonal skills to build trust with government agencies, tribes, NGOs, and private clients.
Flexibility and resilience for extended field deployments, variable weather, and remote work environments.
Teaching and training ability to develop SOPs, safety briefings, and staff development curricula.
Negotiation and consensus-building skills for stakeholder-driven restoration and mitigation projects.
Ethical decision-making grounded in scientific integrity and regulatory compliance.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree in Biology, Aquatic Ecology, Fisheries Science, Marine Science, Environmental Science, or closely related field.

Preferred Education:

Master's degree (M.S.) or Ph.D. in Aquatic Ecology, Fisheries Biology, Marine Biology, Environmental Science, or related discipline preferred for senior roles or independent research responsibilities.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Aquatic Biology / Aquatic Ecology
Fisheries Science / Fisheries Biology
Marine Biology
Environmental Science / Ecology
Hydrology / Watershed Science
Conservation Biology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–7+ years of progressive experience in aquatic fieldwork, monitoring, and technical reporting.

Preferred:

3–5+ years for mid-level positions; 7+ years and demonstrated project leadership for senior roles.
Documented experience with regulatory permitting processes (Section 401/404, ESA consultations, NEPA/CEQA).
Experience supervising field teams and managing multi-disciplinary project tasks.
Certifications such as PADI/NAUI SCUBA, CPR/First Aid, HAZWOPER (if applicable), boat operator training, and state-specific electrofishing certifications preferred.

Keywords: aquatic biologist, water quality monitoring, fish population assessments, habitat assessment, benthic macroinvertebrates, GIS, ArcGIS, R, Python, NEPA, CEQA, Clean Water Act, electrofishing, restoration monitoring, environmental permitting, QA/QC, field sampling, SCUBA, boat operations.