Fisheries Technician 1 - JPE Spring Run Chinook Monitoring

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission•Red Bluff, CA

16d•Onsite

About The Position

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is recruiting a Fisheries Technician 1 for the Sacramento River JPE monitoring program, based in Red Bluff, California. The position focuses on operating and maintaining screw traps on tributaries to the Upper Sacramento River and monitoring juvenile salmonids. Duties include PIT tagging juvenile salmonids, constructing PIT tag antennas and arrays and resistance board weirs, performing surgeries to implant acoustic tags, and entering data. The technician may also participate in snorkel surveys on tributaries and the main stem Upper Sacramento River. Weekend work is mandatory. The role may involve regional fisheries research and surveys, collecting biological and habitat samples, supporting fish-rearing activities, inspecting and maintaining facility systems and equipment, monitoring water quality, and recording and organizing biological or habitat data. Work is partly in an office, but primarily in fish processing labs, fish holding areas, and the field. Field conditions may include variable weather, uneven or slippery terrain, insects, poison oak, rough or fast-moving water, and cold water. Work on elevated walkways or platforms over water, at high elevations, or aboard boats may be required. The position is full-time and benefits-eligible, with an anticipated start date of January 4, 2027. Minimum qualifications vary by level and can be met through qualifying general or specialized experience, education, or an equivalent combination. Knowledge of salmon and steelhead life histories is highly desirable; screw trap and PIT tagging experience would be beneficial.

Requirements

At the lower end of the range: six months of general experience, or one year of education above high school including at least six semester hours in scientific or technical courses; an equivalent combination of experience and education qualifies.
At the upper end of the range: one year of specialized experience, or a four-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with a major or at least 24 semester hours in scientific or technical courses; an equivalent combination of experience and education qualifies.
A valid driver's license.
Ability to compile and collect neat and accurate data.
Oral communication skills.
Written communication skills.
Construction, fabrication, and installation skills.
Ability to repair and maintain equipment.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of salmon and steelhead life histories.
Screw trap experience.
PIT tagging experience.

Responsibilities

Operate and maintain screw traps on tributaries to the Upper Sacramento River.
PIT tag juvenile salmonids.
Construct PIT tag antennas and arrays and resistance board weirs.
Perform surgeries on juvenile salmonids to implant acoustic tags.
Enter and organize biological or habitat data on field forms, electronic data loggers, or desktop computers.
Participate in snorkel surveys on tributaries and the main stem Upper Sacramento River as needed.
Participate in survey crews conducting fisheries presence/absence research, fishing surveys, anadromous fish escapement surveys, and tag detection and mark recovery surveys.
Make standardized observations of fish, including species, length, weight, behavior, growth, survival, reproductive condition, parasites, disease, pathogens, fin clips, or tags.
Collect and organize biological and habitat samples and collections.
Support captive fish-rearing activities, including spawning, incubating, feeding, sampling, sorting, handling, medicating, anesthetizing, and transporting fish.
Monitor facility systems and equipment, assist with their development, fabrication, construction, and maintenance, and conduct regular facility inspections.
Monitor and maintain water quality, record findings and adjustments, and respond appropriately and immediately to emergencies.
May assist with preliminary data summaries and analyses, technical report writing, or database management.
Work weekends as required.