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This position is a Seasonal Fisheries Field Crew (6+ months, but less than 12 months) for the Central Valley Steelhead Monitoring Program (CVSMP) based in West Sacramento, CA. Under direct supervision of Lead Biologists/Crew Leaders, the Seasonal Fisheries Technician will assist with daily field data collection and office/lab activities. Data collection will occur seven days a week. Positions will collect scientific information to examine the distribution, abundance, and population trends of Central Valley (CV) steelhead trout in the Sacramento River watershed by using mark-recapture methods with large-wire fyke traps on the main-stem Sacramento River. The position requires working on 25ft long motorized watercraft. Motorboat operation and safety training will be provided. Anticipated start date is early July.

Duties and responsibilities include:

• Operate and maintain large wire fyke traps
• Operate and maintain motorized watercraft and 4wd vehicles
• Handle, anesthetize, tag, and collect biological samples from adult steelhead trout
• Assist with installation, operation, and maintenance of PIT tag antenna arrays and acoustic receivers
• Assist with data entry and QA/QC of all data
• Candidate must be willing and able to work long hours on motorized watercraft, on rough/uneven terrain, and in adverse weather conditions.
• A flexible schedule and the ability to work weekends is mandatory.

Essential Functions:

• 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.

Knowledge Required by the Position:

At the lower end of the range, employees use knowledge of basic arithmetic, reading, writing, and data collection to perform routine or repetitive tasks.

At the upper end of the position range, employees use knowledge of the basic principles and protocols of fish biology to make readings, measurements, and observations; execute tests; collect samples, etc. If complex equipment systems are operated, the employee has the knowledge to perform calibrations or adjustments to achieve desired results.

Additional MandatorySkills:

• mark fish
• electronic detection technol.
• able to swim
• lift 40 - 50 lbs.
• load boats on trailers
• tow and maneuver trailers
• valid driver's license
• operate motorized boats
• operate non-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
• repair and maintain equipment

Physical Demands:

Demands can range from sedentary, to moderate --where there is walking, climbing stairs and ladders, reaching, lifting, and bending, to rigorous. In the latter case, the employee must be able to handle buckets of water or gear weighing up to 50 pounds. Long daily periods of hiking, walking up and down levees, carrying equipment, swimming, and/or standing may be required. Some work requires the ability to maintain footing in fast-moving water.

Work Environment:

Some work will be in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating, and ventilation. Some work will be on a motorized boat in fast moving water or from the banks of a large river. Field work involves working in inclement weather, exposure to cold, rain, heat, sun, wind, walking on wet / slippery rocks, docks, and boat decks, irregular terrain, insects, poison oak, fast moving water, and cold water temperatures. Field work will involve long days working and standing on boats in a wet environment handling adult steelhead trout.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

A range of experience 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 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