Fish and Wildlife Scientific Aid - Sierra Fisheries Scientific Aid
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
Under the supervision of the Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisor) the incumbent will perform duties associated with improving species resiliency. As part of a team the incumbent will conduct region-wide inventory, monitoring, and habitat surveys for native amphibians and assist with other North Central Region Fisheries tasks as needed.
The successful applicant will be part of a field crew (normally 2 to 6 people) for extended trips in backcountry terrain. Most field sites are in northern California wilderness and Forest Service lands, range in elevation from 6,000 to 9,000 feet, and require a combination of 4WD and backpacking to access. Primarily, the crew will conduct native amphibian monitoring (focused on Ranid Frog species) in the northern Sierra Nevada, using visual encounter survey and capture-mark-recapture techniques. Crews will also assist with habitat restoration (non-native fish removal) and post-fish-removal monitoring. The crew may also assist with amphibian surveys in lower elevation locations related to hydropower and wildfire.
The crew will use gill nets, backpack electroshockers, PIT tag readers, GPS units, and Garmin inReach devices to conduct work. In addition to these duties, the job will consist of monitoring and resource assessment of backcountry fisheries throughout the northern Sierra Nevada. Therefore, an ability to implement multiple survey protocols to collect fish, amphibian, and habitat data for lakes, streams, and meadows in the Sierra Nevada is necessary for success.
Additionally, the successful candidate will:
• Rigorously follow standardized aquatic survey protocols for a variety of amphibian recovery and monitoring projects.
• Record data clearly and comprehensively.
• Coordinate with project leads, other seasonal employees, and volunteers to ensure complete and timely project implementation.
• Enter data into computer systems and assist with data analysis, reporting, presentation, archiving, and manuscript preparation using Microsoft Office programs.
The Fish and Wildlife Scientific Aid classification is a non-testing classification.
• 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
Field surveys will require working irregular hours, including holidays, and to travel in performing field work throughout Northern California. Occasional weekend work may be required. Work will be conducted in remote areas around water in the Sierra Nevada. Crews will hike to lakes and stream sites and may spend several days camping/backpacking while doing aquatic surveys. Office space will be provided at the Rancho Cordova office for entering and conducting quality assurance checking of data collected during surveys. This position requires the incumbent to wear a uniform identifying the employee as CDFW staff while conducting field work or attending meetings. This position requires possession of a valid Driver’s License.
Work requires extended hours in the field (4-5 days in a row each week), strenuous physical activities (hiking using GPS navigation, pulling nets, carrying equipment), and overnight camping.
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.