Fisheries Technician 1- Restoration Monitoring

Position/Project Specifics:

Under the direction of the Monitoring and Evaluation of Salmonid Habitat Restoration program (MESHR) of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), the Fisheries Technician will assist PSMFC Biologists with qualitative and quantitative effectiveness monitoring of grant-funded habitat restoration projects for an approximate period of 6 months.

Work involves travel to project sites (often remote) located in watersheds throughout coastal areas of northern California, and car camping for up to four days per week. Monitoring of restoration projects employs three approaches: 1) detailed measurement of physical habitat characteristics, including stream longitudinal profiles; 2) a rapid field assessment using treatment-specific, qualitative checklists; and 3) assessment of fish response to instream and passage projects via snorkel and spawner surveys.

Examples of project types monitored include fish passage improvement, riparian revegetation planting, road decommissioning and upgrading, instream habitat enhancement, and bank stabilization. Future project types may include off-channel habitat development, estuary enhancement and low-tech restoration projects.

Primary responsibilities will include establishing photo-point monuments, taking photos of restoration sites, organizing data files, data quality control, map making using ArcGIS, writing case study reports, maintaining equipment, and driving 4x4 vehicles.

Other responsibilities include protocol documentation, data management and data analysis.

Applicants should have a working knowledge of aquatic ecology/environmental sciences; prior instream and/or upland field experience; willingness to learn and follow CDFW and PSMFC policies, protocols and procedures; good data management and field gear organization; good communication and interpersonal skills; scientific writing skills, GIS mapping and photo monument documentation.

Target Pay Rate $20.00/ hour.

Essential Functions: 

• Participate in survey crews that conduct regional fishery presence/absence research, recreational/commercial fishing surveys, anadromous fish escapement surveys (carcass, redd, trap/weir, snorkel, etc.), or tag detection and mark recovery surveys. Make standardized observations such as species identification, length, weight, behavior, growth, survival, reproductive condition, and/or signs of parasites, diseases or pathogens, fin clips or tags.
• Collect and organize biological and habitat samples and collections (such as scales, otoliths, ageing structures, other tissues, water quality, etc.).
• Summarize and input biological or habitat data on field forms, electronic data loggers, and/or desktop computers. May assist with preliminary data summaries and analyses, technical report writing, or database management.

Knowledge Required by the Position:

At the lower end of the range, employees use knowledge of basic arithmetic, reading, writing, and data collection to perform routine or repetitive tasks. 

At the upper end of the position range, employees use knowledge of the basic principles and protocols of fish biology to make readings, measurements, and observations; execute tests; collect samples, etc.   If complex equipment systems are operated, the employee has the knowledge to perform calibrations or adjustments to achieve desired results. 

Additional Mandatory Skills: 

• snorkeling
• carcass and redd surveys
• able to swim                           
• lift 40 - 50 lbs.
• valid driver's license
• operate GPS
• fish species ID skills        
• habitat monitoring       
• operate handheld data recorder         
• compile and collect neat and accurate data   
• specific software skills (spreadsheet, word processing, database, GIS, statistical)
• oral communication skills                  
• written communication skills
• construction, fabrication and installation skills                                  
• repair & maintain equipment

Physical Demands:

Demands can range from moderate --where there is walking, climbing stairs and ladders, reaching, lifting, bending, and strenuous sweeping-- to rigorous.  In the latter case, the incumbent must be able to handle buckets of water or gear weighing up to 50 pounds.  Long daily periods of hiking, carrying equipment, swimming, and/or standing may be required.  Some work requires the ability to maintain footing in fast-moving water. 

Work Environment:

A portion of the work is performed in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating and ventilation.  The majority is performed in the field.  Field work involves exposure to all types of weather, slippery rocks, trails, irregular terrain, insects, poison oak, rough or fast-moving water, or cold water temperatures.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

A range of experience and education may be presented.  At the lower end of the range, candidates must present six months of General Experience* OR one year of education above the high school level that included at least six semester hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses.  An equivalent combination of experience and education is also qualifying.

At the upper end of the range, candidates must present one year of Specialized Experience** OR a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with a major or at least 24 semester hours of coursework in any combination of scientific or technical courses.  An equivalent combination of experience and education is also qualifying.

*General Experience is (1) any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position or (2) experience that provides a familiarity with biological sciences or the processes of the biological sciences.

**Specialized Experience is experience that equips the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position being filled