Fisheries Technician 1-Monterey Bay Area Ocean Salmon Port Sampler

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission•Monterey, CA

16d

About The Position

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is recruiting candidates to fill the position of Fisheries Technician 1-Monterey Bay Area Ocean Salmon Port Sampler located in Moss Landing, Santa Cruz, and Monterey, California. The 3 available positions are projected to start on or after April 1, 2026. These are temporary positions with varying hours. Position/Project Specifics: Collects commercial fishery data and biological samples at commercial offloading or processing locations using standardized surveying protocols. Collects recreational fishery data and biological samples at public launch ramps and/or docks using standardized surveying protocols. Duties include identification of Pacific salmon to species, collecting fish lengths and biological data, and performing frequent reconnaissance via visual observation, phone call or personal contact to determine fishing effort levels. Sampling occurs weekdays, weekends, and holidays. Collects, transports, or processes salmon snouts and/or heads in addition to biological samples such as scales and tissue samples. Records field data; reviews, edits and submits data, by mail and electronically, to field supervisor in a timely manner. Interacts with and responds to public questions about fishing regulations, fish identification, and other topics while in the field using material provided by the Department. May assist other projects as needed, including collection of other fishery-dependent data. Assists with other project functions as needed, including data entry, data management, data cleanup, and equipment maintenance. Essential Functions: Participate in survey crews that conduct regional fishery presence/absence research, recreational/commercial fishing surveys, 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, aging 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.

Requirements

CPR/ First Aid
literature search/ review
lift 40 - 50 lbs.
valid driver's license
fish species ID skills
using fish keys
compile and collect neat and accurate data
specific software skills (spreadsheet, word processing, database, statistical)
oral communication skills
written communication skills
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.

Responsibilities

Collects commercial fishery data and biological samples at commercial offloading or processing locations using standardized surveying protocols.
Collects recreational fishery data and biological samples at public launch ramps and/or docks using standardized surveying protocols.
Collects, transports, or processes salmon snouts and/or heads in addition to biological samples such as scales and tissue samples.
Records field data; reviews, edits and submits data, by mail and electronically, to field supervisor in a timely manner.
Interacts with and responds to public questions about fishing regulations, fish identification, and other topics while in the field using material provided by the Department.
May assist other projects as needed, including collection of other fishery-dependent data.
Assists with other project functions as needed, including data entry, data management, data cleanup, and equipment maintenance.
Participate in survey crews that conduct regional fishery presence/absence research, recreational/commercial fishing surveys, 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, aging 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.