Fisheries Technician 1- CWT Recovery Survey Lead

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission•Lodi, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) is seeking a Fisheries Technician 1 - CWT Recovery Survey Lead to support fisheries monitoring activities in collaboration with the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) Fisheries and Wildlife Office in Lodi, California. This role involves day-to-day field coordination, providing technical guidance to other technicians, and ensuring compliance with California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Scientific Collecting Permit requirements. This is a seasonal, benefits-eligible position with an anticipated start date of October 5th, 2026, lasting for over 6 months but less than a year.

Requirements

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.
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.
Basic arithmetic, reading, writing, and data collection skills.
Knowledge of basic principles and protocols of fish biology.
Ability to perform calibrations or adjustments to complex equipment systems if operated.
Carcass and redd surveys experience.
Electronic detection technology experience.
Ability to swim.
Ability to lift 40 - 50 lbs.
Ability to load boats on trailers.
Ability to tow & maneuver trailers.
Valid driver's license.
Ability to operate motorized boats.
Ability to operate non-motorized boats.
Ability to hike.
Ability to operate GPS.
Fish species identification skills.
Ability to operate handheld data recorder.
Ability to compile and collect neat and accurate data.
Specific software skills (spreadsheet, word processing, database, GIS, statistical).
Oral communication skills.
Written communication skills.
Ability to repair & maintain equipment.
Ability to maintain footing in fast-moving water.

Nice To Haves

Previous fisheries field experience involving fish identification, fish handling, biological sampling, fisheries monitoring, or related natural-resource work is recommended.
Experience operating and trailering a variety of boats and coordinating fisheries sampling activities is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Perform and help coordinate coded-wire tag (CWT) recovery from Chinook salmon and associated biological sampling activities in the Mokelumne River and at the Mokelumne River Fish Hatchery.
Participate in and help coordinate downstream juvenile salmonid monitoring, rotary screw trap efficiency trials, and rearing habitat use studies.
Coordinate and assist with daily sampling activities, equipment preparation, and field logistics in collaboration with EBMUD staff and PSMFC personnel.
Follow established fish-handling, biological sampling, safety, data-collection, and CDFW Scientific Collecting Permit requirements.
Accurately identify fish species and collect, record, and manage biological and environmental field data associated with fisheries monitoring activities.
Oversee and assist with the proper collection, labeling, storage, organization, and transport of biological samples, including CWT samples and Chinook salmon scales.
Perform routine data entry, data management, quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC), and data validation activities to ensure fisheries monitoring data are complete, accurate, and consistent.
Assist with the preparation, operation, cleaning, maintenance, and storage of fisheries sampling equipment.
Operate field equipment in accordance with established procedures and safety requirements.
Apply experience and technical knowledge to support consistent implementation of sampling procedures, fish identification, data recording, equipment use, and safe field practices.
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.