by Heather Moncrief-Cox
Job hunting is hard, no matter the field, but it can be especially tricky in fisheries. Back when I was job searching, I had 62 tabs that I would open to see what had posted that day. 62! Figuring out what jobs are out there and how to apply is no easy feat. Main job sites don’t typically list biology jobs, and if they do, they’re intermixed with things like wildlife removal positions…
What’s a contractor? An NGO? OPS position? Career service? We’ve compiled some of the best places to start, and try to explain some of the nuances.
Job Boards
Job boards are a great way to see jobs from multiple employers in one place. The biggest issue with these, though, is that not everyone goes out of their way to advertise on these sites, so you can’t solely rely on them. They’re also a great way to find internships and grad school positions.
- Since AFS is the largest fisheries professional group, listings on this site are going to be the best aligned to most job searches. AFS has been working hard to improve their site’s features, so definitely check it out if you haven’t recently. Professors advertise lab openings here, as well, so is a great source for incoming graduate students and post-docs. Also, membership is not required to view jobs.
Texas A&M Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Job Board
- This job board has been around “forever”, but is simply one of the best for biology jobs. Not all are for fisheries, but their search features help you narrow it down pretty easily. Graduate positions are listed here frequently, too.
SEVENSEAS Media & Global Marine Community
- This is one I just learned about through our Facebook group, so I am not overly familiar with it. I do like that it allows email notifications of weekly job postings.
OpenChannels – Sustainable Ocean Management & Conservation
- This site tends to have more of the “odd” jobs, like remote work or part-time, and also has a lot of international jobs. It also allows email notifications, but you have to create a member account.
American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
Society for Conservation Biology
Federal
Some of the most competitive jobs are those with federal agencies – NOAA Fisheries, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Army Corps of Engineers and different military bases (yes, they have on-site biologists, too!). The application process is notoriously difficult and time-consuming, so start early. Set up your profile, COMPLETELY fill out your resume, and set up your searches. You can set up notifications however you’d like, I recommend having a few different search criterias set up to capture everything that may interest you.
There is only one site for federal jobs: USAJobs
NOAA Fisheries Contractors
Not all employees that support the research of NOAA Fisheries are federal employees, many are contractors employed by contracting companies. They work onsite with federal employees, but are managed by their own employer. Because there are different companies, there isn’t a specific website that shows all contracting jobs that are available. While they don’t get the same benefit as federal employees, contractors typically still accrue paid time off (PTO), receive 401(k) contributions, have health insurance options, etc.
Currently, there is a specific contracting vehicle in place, called ProTech. ProTech companies are listed here, but you have to look at their individual sites to see what positions are available. Keep in mind that some of the positions being advertised are in anticipation of contract award, so are not always guaranteed, and may be listed by multiple companies (apply to all of them). Also, some companies combine in order to better compete for the contract, so you may see additional employers on some job advertisements.
Consolidated Safety Services (CSS)
Earth Resources Technology, Inc (ERT)
Environmental Assessment Services (EAS)
International Business Sales & Services (IBSS) Corporation
Maden Technologies Consulting, Inc.
Northern Economics, Inc. (NEI)
Technical and Engineering Support Alliance (TESA)
NOAA Fisheries Cooperative Institutes
There are additional job opportunities within NOAA Cooperative Institutes, which are universities that support NOAA’s mission. There are 20 institutes across the nation, with additional partner universities. These positions are similar to contractors, and offer benefits packages.
NOAA Sea Grant
Yet another way to work alongside NOAA Fisheries is the Sea Grant program, which also offers internships, research funding, and student opportunities.
State Agencies
Each state has their own agency that is responsible for managing fish and wildlife populations. Some positions are FTE (full-time employee) or Career Service positions, meaning that they are a more permanent position, with benefits like retirement pensions and PTO accrual as part of the compensation package. Some states also offer what are called OPS (other personnel services), which may or may not offer benefits, and generally are short-term or grant-funded.
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has a list of the agencies for each state and US territory, so is a great place for one-stop job hunting.
NGOs
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are typically more specific in where they focus their research, and usually conduct a lot of public outreach and education. There are TONS of NGOs out there, with a variety of missions.
Center for Biological Diversity
Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Reef Environmental Education Foundation
Sustainable Fisheries Partnership
Other Organizations
Not all employers fit into the “boxes” above, but are still vital to the fisheries world. Here are a few worth checking out:
Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission
Center for Environmental Management Military Lands
Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission
Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission
This is an overview of the job sources that we are aware of, make sure to check back as we update this list, and comment below if you have a favorite that isn’t included!