Fishery Biologist 1- American River Escapement Survey Crew Leader

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission • Rancho Cordova, CA

8d • Onsite

About The Position

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is recruiting candidates to fill the role of a full-time, temporary Fisheries Biologist position with an anticipated start date of September 28, 2026. The project length is expected to be 6 months or less. Work is performed Monday-Friday, but daily hours will vary and will require a willingness to work long field days with early start times. The position is based out of Rancho Cordova, CA. Under the supervision of the on-site project supervisor, the successful candidate acts as the lead person for the field crew conducting salmon escapement surveys (carcass surveys) on the lower American River in Sacramento, California. Primary responsibilities include leading daily crew operations on the river, data entry using desktop computers, QA/QC of data, performing end of season data analysis, and annual report writing. The incumbent will lead a crew of 6-10 fisheries technicians conducting shore and boat-based carcass surveys. The job requires daily, strenuous field work (walking and wading in uneven terrain, kayaking and navigation of swift water, lifting up to 40 lbs repeatedly throughout the day, etc) in inclement weather conditions. Survey techniques involve searching for salmon carcasses while walking the riverbanks, paddling kayaks, and/or surveying from boat (2-5 miles each day). Decayed salmon are collected with a gaff and brought to shore for processing and data collection, which includes species identification, sex, length, and reproductive condition. The incumbent will collect fish scales, tissue samples, and salmon heads through the use of sharp knives, in addition to chopping salmon carcasses in half using a machete. Hundreds of carcasses can be processed each day. Additional responsibilities include planning daily survey logistics, preparing weekly data summaries for California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) management staff, operating and trailering boats, maintaining equipment, managing biological samples, adhering to safety and data collection protocols, database management, and other office related or lab tasks.

Requirements

• Completion of a bachelor's degree majoring in a biological science
• Previous field work experience
• Experience leading or supervising work groups
• Ability to operate and trailer a jet boat and kayak
• Ability to walk 3-5 miles per day in inclement weather on uneven, slippery surfaces and in-river over large cobble
• Ability to swim
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds repeatedly throughout the day, every work day
• Possession of a valid driver’s license
• Ability to identify adult steelhead trout and Chinook salmon
• Must be willing to handle rotten fish carcasses all day
• Ability to record neat and accurate field data
• Ability to operate a computer and various PC-based software programs
• Must be able to read, write and speak English at a level required for successful job performance
• Follow oral and written directions
• Ability to work as part of a team, especially under stressful conditions
• Knowledge of fishery biology (including ability to identify adult steelhead trout and Chinook salmon).
• Knowledge of fish husbandry.
• Knowledge of aquatic habitats.
• Knowledge of the scientific method.
• Knowledge of personal computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, e-mail, publishing software, presentation software, database software, topographic software, and statistical analysis packages.
• Knowledge of technical writing protocols.
• Knowledge of database management.
• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major in biological science with at least 6 semester hours in aquatic subjects and at least 12 semester hours in the animal sciences.
• An equivalent combination of experience and education is also qualifying.

Responsibilities

• Lead and participate in survey crews that conduct 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.
• Assist researchers in investigations of long term and short term fisheries resource management problems.
• Collect biological samples, record data, perform routine analyses of data, and contribute draft sections to scientific papers for publication.
• Lead and perform data entry for data from recovered tags, representative biological samples, and telemetry devices.
• Error check the data and update database.
• Lead daily crew operations on the river.
• Perform data entry using desktop computers.
• Perform QA/QC of data.
• Perform end of season data analysis.
• Write annual reports.
• Lead a crew of 6-10 fisheries technicians conducting shore and boat-based carcass surveys.
• Plan daily survey logistics.
• Prepare weekly data summaries for California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) management staff.
• Operate and trailer boats.
• Maintain equipment.
• Manage biological samples.
• Adhere to safety and data collection protocols.
• Perform database management.
• Perform other office related or lab tasks.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level