Fisheries Technician 1- Eel River Monitoring

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission • Fortuna, CA

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) is hiring two Fisheries Technicians to assist the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's (CDFW) Mainstem Eel River and the Van Duzen River Adult Salmonid ARIS Sonar Monitoring Study during the fall/winter of 2026/2027. The Fisheries Technician(s) will work under the direction of a CDFW Environmental Scientist and PSMFC Field Crew lead in order to assist daily operations of the ARIS cameras and associated equipment assuring adherence to survey protocol, collection and organization of consistent, high quality data, and review of sonar data files. Additionally, the technician could assist in data analysis and report writing. The technician will be properly trained in ARIS protocol operations and data file review. The goal of the project is to monitor run-timing and estimate the adult escapement of California Coastal (CC) Chinook Salmon in the lower Van Duzen River and Mainstem Eel River and additional data collection for the winter run steelhead in the Mainstem Eel River. The ARIS will operate from approximately late October 2026 to early April 2027, depending on seasonal river flows and timing of fish migration. The camera will record data 24 hours a day and 7 days a week through a safe and reasonable range of river discharges, thus requiring odd hours and some weekend work to adjust the camera's position or, if necessary, remove the camera from the site. Travel will occur 3-5 days a week from the CDFW Fortuna, CA Field Office to the ARIS sites (approximately 25 miles) and returning to the CDFW Office. In addition to duties associated with the sonar operation, the technician may also participate in adult fish speciation efforts related to the project's goal of producing an accurate Chinook Salmon abundance estimate. These efforts could include adult salmon spawner surveys in tributaries to the Van Duzen River, direct bed and bank fish observations, tangle netting, kayak floats, and mask and snorkel surveys in the Van Duzen and Eel Rivers within the vicinity of the sonar site.

Requirements

• 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.
• Carcass and redd surveys experience.
• Electronic detection technology experience.
• Ability to swim.
• Ability to lift 40-50 lbs.
• Valid driver's license.
• Ability to operate non-motorized boats.
• Hiking experience.
• Ability to operate GPS.
• Fish species identification skills.
• Ability to operate a 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 and maintain equipment.
• 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.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

What This Job Offers

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