Fisheries Technician 1- Tagging Trailer Assistant

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission • Red Bluff, CA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is recruiting a seasonal, benefits-eligible Fisheries Technician 1 to work as a Tagging Trailer Assistant. The anticipated start date is December 14, 2026. The position conducts manual adipose fin-clipping and coded-wire tagging of juvenile salmon and steelhead; some early-project fish also receive a ventral clip. Most fish are processed using automated lines in a fish-marking trailer. The assistant operates the trailer’s manual section for fish that are too small or too large for automated processing or are rejected from the automated lines.

The assistant also supports the Trailer Operator with tasks such as crowding or bucketing fish, changing the outflow discharge pipe, and disinfecting the AutoFish Trailer. Work takes place at five or more anadromous hatcheries throughout Northern California, and significant travel is required. Housing is not provided. Full-time, full-year benefited positions may be available to candidates who excel in this work environment.

The broader essential functions include supporting captive fish-rearing activities; monitoring facility systems and equipment; assisting with system development, fabrication, construction, and maintenance; inspecting facility equipment; monitoring and maintaining water quality; recording findings and adjustments; and responding promptly to emergencies.

Requirements

• Meet one of the stated qualification pathways: six months of general experience, one year of education above high school including at least six semester hours in scientific or technical courses, or an equivalent combination; alternatively, one year of specialized experience, a four-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with a major or at least 24 semester hours in scientific or technical courses, or an equivalent combination.
• Have knowledge of fishery biology, including particular fish species, and fish husbandry.
• Have computer application skills, including use of word processing, spreadsheets, e-mail, publishing, presentation, database, topographic, bibliographic, or statistical analysis software as relevant.
• Have electrical detection technology skills.
• Be able to lift 40–50 pounds.
• Have a valid driver's license and be able to tow and maneuver trailers.
• Have fish species identification skills.
• Be able to compile and collect neat and accurate data.
• Have specific software skills, including spreadsheet, word processing, database, GIS, and statistical software.
• Have oral and written communication skills.
• Be able to repair and maintain equipment.
• Be able to meet physical demands that may include walking, climbing stairs and ladders, reaching, lifting, bending, handling buckets of water or gear weighing up to 50 pounds, and extended periods of hiking, carrying equipment, swimming, or standing.

Responsibilities

• Conduct manual adipose fin-clipping and coded-wire tagging on juvenile salmon and steelhead; perform ventral clipping on some fish in early projects.
• Operate the manual section of the AutoFish Trailer for fish unsuitable for automated lines or rejected by them.
• Assist the Trailer Operator with crowding or bucketing fish, changing the outflow discharge pipe, and disinfecting the AutoFish Trailer.
• Support fish-rearing activities, including spawning, incubating, feeding, sampling, sorting, handling, medicating, anesthetizing, and transporting fish.
• Monitor facility systems and equipment and make regular inspections of equipment such as dewatering equipment, pumps, flumes, gates, tanks, screens, filters, gatewells, and tag interrogation equipment.
• Assist with development, fabrication, construction, and maintenance of systems.
• Monitor and maintain water quality, and record findings and adjustments made.
• Respond appropriately and immediately to emergencies.
• Travel to and work at multiple anadromous hatcheries throughout Northern California.

Benefits

• Benefits-eligible seasonal position.
• Potential availability of full-time, full-year benefited positions for candidates who excel in the work environment.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED