Fish and Wildlife Scientific Aid - Central Valley Coded-Wire Tag (CWT) Laboratory
Please apply for this job at the CalCareers link provided in the description below. Applications not submitted via CalCareers will not be considered.
WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT APPLICATIONS THROUGH HANDSHAKE, PLEASE SEE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW ON HOW TO APPLY
Job Description and Duties
Come join our team at the Central Valley Coded-Wire Tag (CWT) Laboratory! The CWT Laboratory conducts and assists exciting research that informs fisheries management decisions to promote sustainability while providing public use opportunities (e.g., recreational and commercial Chinook Salmon fisheries). Recovery, extraction, reading and reporting of CWT data is an integral component of the Central Valley Constant Fractional Marking Program. Central Valley CWT data is combined with recoveries from ocean salmon fisheries to evaluate hatchery and natural spawning performance. Successful candidates will also collect and process genetic samples for Parentage-based Tagging and other genetic studies. An understanding of the nuances in anadromous fish life histories will help the qualified applicant in collecting age, growth, life history, and stock identification data. And finally, an understanding that complete and accurate data collection is pivotal to the quality of the data used to help the California Department of Fish & Wildlife make crucial fisheries management decisions will help the qualified applicant in data collection, data entry, and data maintenance.
General duties include:
* Assist in collecting adipose fin-clipped salmon heads at Central Valley Hatcheries (i.e., Feather River, Nimbus and Mokelumne River hatcheries).
* Catalog and process heads taken from adipose fin-clipped Chinook Salmon sampled in Central Valley escapement and angler surveys, at state-run Central Valley anadromous hatcheries, and in other salmonid monitoring activities in California’s Central Valley.
*Retrieve, read, and archive CWTs taken from salmon heads: apply proper techniques and safety procedures for cutting and processing salmon heads, CWT retrieval, decoding, and verification of CWT data.
*Prepare, read, and age scale samples from Chinook Salmon sampled in the Central Valley salmon sport fishery.
*Provide assistance with data entry and verification of CWT reads: validate reads from salmon stocks of special concern and validate all out-of-state recoveries of California CWT releases.
*Other duties may include assisting other CDFW projects, including the Central Valley Genetic Tissue Archive, Salmonid Scale Reading Laboratory, fishery monitoring projects, hatcheries, and escapement surveys.
Successful candidates will have the opportunity to gain experience working in natural resource conservation. Many former Fish and Wildlife Scientific Aids have gained enough experience to be competitive in promoting to permanent positions in the state or in the private sector. The Central Valley CWT Laboratory provides an inclusive and safe working environment and promotes opportunities for collaboration, mentoring and work experience diversification.
This position may be eligible for a telework opportunity in accordance with departmental policies and operational needs. Beginning July 1, 2026, employees will be required to work in-person at least four (4) days per week in alignment with Executive Order N-22-25. Additional in-office days may be required based on operational needs.
The language below is required for these NT classifications.
• Applicants who receive public assistance under the CalWORKs program shall be given hiring priority consideration as provided in Government Code, Section 19063.
• Applicants who receive public assistance need to identify themselves as CalWORKs recipients in the comments section of the STD 678, Examination/Employment Application.
• Applicants must submit verification of CalWORKs eligibility, which may include the most recent Notice of Action showing Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) eligibility or a copy of the most recent aid check stub.
• Applicants may obtain verification from the CalWORKs program. If CalWORKs verification is not submitted with the application, it will not be processed as CalWORKs eligible.
• Participation by a public assistance recipient is voluntary and in no event shall any person be subject to sanctions, through loss of benefits or eligibility, for not applying for, accepting, or continuing in a seasonal or entry level non-testing classification opening.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions
- Work long hours in the field (typically in a hatchery setting)
- Drive several hours to sample collection sites (typically on paved roads)
- Work outside in all weather conditions
- Work several hours in a lab setting (both standing and sitting)
- Work several hours looking through a microscope
- Work on a computer for several hours a day
- Typical work schedule is weekdays, 8-10 hours per day (not to exceed 40 hours in one week). However, the work schedule may vary, and workdays may include some weekends and holidays. Maximum of 1,500 hours per year and 189 days per term.
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.