PA Fish and Boat Commission · Pennsylvania · posted today
PENNSYLVANIA FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION - JOB ANNOUNCEMENT Bureaus of Fisheries & Hatcheries – multiple seasonal openings in 2027 595 East Rolling Ridge Drive Bellefonte, Pa 16823 Position: Fisheries Biologist Aide (FBA) Status: Paid, seasonal Duration: Varies, up to 36 weeks typically beginning in March and ending in November Location: Centre Region Office 595 East Rolling Ridge Drive Bellefonte, PA 16823 Wage: $17.88 per hour, paid biweekly Hours: 37.5 hours per week (holidays unpaid), limited overtime may be required 8 am to 4 pm M-F typical, varied schedules possible to accomplish field work Closing: Open until filled The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is hiring several Fisheries Biologist Aide (FBA) positions for the 2027 field season in its Bureaus of Fisheries and Hatcheries. This posting may be used to hire FBAs in the Division of Environmental Services, the Division of Fisheries Management, the Division of Habitat Management, and the Division of Aquatic Species Restoration. Fisheries Biologist Aides assist Fisheries Biologists with field and office activities aimed to protect, conserve, and enhance the Commonwealth’s aquatic resources. Work may occur across the Commonwealth and involve overnight travel. Travel costs are reimbursable. Work sometimes involves long hours, working in inclement weather, and requires the ability to operate PFBC vehicles. Specialized gear and required safety apparel will be provided by PFBC when needed (waders, hard hats, hi-vis clothing, etc.). Job Responsibilities: Duties will vary between work units, so a description of the work conducted in each Division is provided on page 2. Work will involve assisting biologists with field and office work to support fisheries management decision making, to support permit review activities, and to improve and enhance stream and lake habitats across the Commonwealth. Work may involve sampling fish populations using a variety of sampling gears in lotic and lentic waters; sampling waters not previously surveyed to identify waters that support wild trout or rare nongame species; participating in active construction projects to improve stream and lake habitat; conducting water quality analyses and physical habitat assessments; tracking and monitoring rare, threatened or endangered species including fish, reptiles, amphibians, mussels and aquatic invertebrates. Office work may include fisheries and habitat data management and reporting, GIS mapping, database entry, and the repair and maintenance of field equipment including boats, boat motors, trailers, gas powered hand tools (chainsaws, drills, whackers), battery powered hand tools, generators, electrofishing gear, and various nets. Desirable Qualifications and Skills: Our office is seeking responsible and dependable individuals who meet the following qualifications: § B.A. / B.S. degree in natural sciences, biology, fisheries, wildlife, environmental sciences, or ecology, OR currently enrolled at an accredited college/university pursuing a degree in natural sciences, biology, fisheries, wildlife, environmental sciences, or ecology. § Communicates effectively orally and in writing. § Safely operate and maintain equipment, vehicles, and watercraft following agency protocols. § Safely operate and maintain power tools like nail guns, chainsaws, and power drills. § Lift over 40 pounds, work in inclement weather, and negotiate difficult terrain. § Use of fish collection equipment including electrofishing gear, trap nets, gill nets, and seines. § Experience using Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and ArcMap. § Ability to collect and record fisheries survey data. § Valid PA driver’s license. § Selected candidate(s) will be required to obtain three background certifications prior to employment with PFBC: Child Abuse, State Police, and FBI Clearances. Divisions within the Bureau of Fisheries: Fisheries Management The Division of Fisheries Management (DFM) oversees the management of sportfish in lakes, rivers, and streams on a statewide basis. Fieldwork includes various active and passive sampling gears to inform fisheries management decision making. For questions about the DFM contact Nathan Walters (814-359-5160 or nawalters@pa.gov). Habitat Management The Division of Habitat Management (DHM) provides technical guidance and works with partner organizations to implement stream and lake habitat improvement projects as well as to identify and address aquatic organism passage issues across the Commonwealth. Fieldwork involves participation in lake and instream construction projects utilizing various power tools and working around heavy machinery to improve stream and lake habitat. Fish Passage fieldwork primarily consists of assessing road stream crossings for aquatic organism passage. For questions pertaining to DHM contact Cameron Englehart (814-359-5245 or cenglehart@pa.gov). For more information about DHM: Habitat (fishandboat.com) Environmental Services The Division of Environmental Services (DES) is involved with reviewing and developing resource specific comments associated with several state and federal regulatory programs to protect Commonwealth aquatic resources. DES is also responsible for the management of nongame fishes, mussels, herptiles, and aquatic invertebrates. DES assists PFBC Law Enforcement and other agencies investigating pollution events, unpermitted activities, and permit noncompliance. For questions pertaining to DES contact Doug Fischer (814-359-5195 or doufischer@pa.gov). Aquatic Species Restoration The Division of Aquatic Species Restoration (DASR) is a newly created division within PFBC that is now overseeing the Shad restoration efforts. Primary work duties include maintaining and operating a seasonal fish hatchery, the culture and stocking of American Shad fry, and the collection and processing of biological samples. These positions are based in the State College area and require a daily commute (transportation provided) to the Van Dyke Research Station in Thompsontown, Juniata County. These positions appeal to those who have recently graduated from college and are looking for experience in the fields of fisheries, fish culture, and natural resources. For questions pertaining to DASR contact Justin Lorson (814-482-7533 or jlorson@pa.gov) Application Instructions: Applicants should submit a cover letter describing their interest in fisheries work with PFBC, a resume, and contact information for three references. This information can be submitted via email to Ben Lorson, belorson@pa.gov. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and hiring supervisors will reach out directly to selected candidates to schedule interviews. If you have questions about open positions, please reach out to the hiring supervisors for the respective programs listed above. Applications are desired by December 11, 2026, but this announcement will remain active throughout the winter/spring in case additional positions become available. Seasonal positions like FBAs provide excellent opportunities to gain experience working on a variety of projects for a state fisheries agency. Many PFBC full-time Fisheries Biologists started their careers as seasonal FBAs.
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