Fisheries Technician 1- Upper Sacramento Monitoring

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission • Red Bluff, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is recruiting candidates to fill the
role of Fisheries Technician 1 - Upper Sacramento Monitoring located in Red
Bluff, California. This is a seasonal position projected to start on April 6th, 2026 through 11 months or less.

The Sacramento River Basin Salmonid Monitoring Program is a cooperative
agreement between PSMFC and the Department of the Interior as part of the
Central Valley Project Improvement Act. The program seeks to make all reasonable
efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability of Salmonid populations in the
region. Adult Chinook salmon spawning and escapement surveys have been
historically conducted in the Upper Sacramento River basin to produce adult
abundance and trend data that is used to evaluate the performance in region-wide
recovery efforts. Specifically, these data sets are used for the following
management purposes: provide a basis for juvenile Chinook salmon production
estimates, monitor performance standards to evaluate the success of enhancement
and restoration programs, assess hatchery influence, and contribute to inland
and ocean harvest management. The purpose of this agreement is to collect
essential baseline data in an effort to enhance the population status of
anadromous fish in the region.

Additionally, the habitat restoration portion of the project consists of a
multi-agency effort to enhance juvenile salmonid rearing habitat and adult
spawning habitat in the upper Sacramento river basin. The project seeks to
engineer, maintain, and monitor off-channel habitat enhancement sites as well as
some in-river sites. Juvenile rearing restoration sites are primarily side
channel construction or rehabilitation, designed to provide increased juvenile
rearing habitat during fluctuating flow releases from Keswick Dam.

The incumbent will:

· Participate in survey crews that conduct regional fishery presence/absence
research, anadromous fish escapement surveys (carcass, redd, trap/weir, snorkel,
hiking, 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 biological samples, record/process/QA/QC data, and basic statistical
analyses of data is anticipated. Analysis of fish passage video data may also be
required. Daily activities may include kayaking, and driving and towing small
jet-powered watercraft. Spending 6-8 hours in the field or on a boat is normal,
hiking and wading in small streams is a daily activity. Snorkeling and wading in
swift water during adverse weather conditions is expected.

· The candidate may also be required to collect juvenile fish habitat use and
abundance data using snorkel, and habitat attributes, flow, and GIS mapping
using a Mesa tablet. Data tasks will consist of recording field data, and QA/QC
of the data. Experience and/or proficiency with scientific data management tools
such as the GIS framework, MS suite of programs, or Pathfinder software is
desirable but not required.

· Daily activities may also include; the cleaning and maintaining of fish weirs
as well as underwater video cameras and equipment. Trouble shooting electrical
issues and problem solving while in the field can be expected.

· This is primarily a field-based position in Red Bluff CA and the successful
candidate may be routinely exposed to adverse weather conditions throughout all
months of the year. The schedule will be a 4-10 shift and candidates will be
expected to work weekends and holidays if needed. Driving trucks and towing
boats is required. Approximately 80/20 field/office work ratio is a general
estimate.

Requirements

• snorkeling
• carcass and redd surveys
• electronic detection technol.
• able to swim
• lift 40 - 50 lbs.
• load boats on trailers
• tow & maneuver trailers
• valid driver's license
• operate motorized boats
• operate GPS
• fish species ID skills
• 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
• A range of experiences 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 provided a familiarity with biological sciences or the processes of the biological sciences.
• Specialized Experience is the 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.

Nice To Haves

• Experience and/or proficiency with scientific data management tools such as the GIS framework, MS suite of programs, or Pathfinder software is desirable but not required.

Responsibilities

• Participate in survey crews that conduct regional fishery presence/absence research, anadromous fish escapement surveys (carcass, redd, trap/weir, snorkel, hiking, 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 biological samples, record/process/QA/QC data, and basic statistical analyses of data is anticipated. Analysis of fish passage video data may also be required. Daily activities may include kayaking, and driving and towing small jet-powered watercraft. Spending 6-8 hours in the field or on a boat is normal, hiking and wading in small streams is a daily activity. Snorkeling and wading in swift water during adverse weather conditions is expected.
• Collect juvenile fish habitat use and abundance data using snorkel, and habitat attributes, flow, and GIS mapping using a Mesa tablet. Data tasks will consist of recording field data, and QA/QC of the data.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED