The North Central Region of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is hiring Fish and Wildlife Scientific Aids based out of our Chico Field Office to assist in monitoring adult and juvenile salmon populations on Butte Creek and the lower Feather River. Data collected from these monitoring efforts contribute towards a large-scale multi-agency effort to develop a juvenile production estimate for spring-run Chinook salmon in the Sacramento River Watershed. This is a unique opportunity to be involved in the conservation and management of a State and federally threatened species, spring-run Chinook salmon, including one of three remaining independent populations in Butte Creek. Fish and Wildlife Scientific Aids working on Butte Creek will participate in spring-run Chinook salmon monitoring programs for all life stages, including adult passage monitoring, adult holding snorkel surveys, and carcass surveys, and juvenile monitoring using a rotary screw trap to develop population estimates. Fish and Wildlife Scientific Aids will also assist with monitoring juvenile salmon on the lower Feather River using rotary screw traps, and potentially adult salmon surveys when needed. Additionally, Fish and Wildlife Scientific Aids mays participate in acoustic telemetry and other mark-recapture studies related to salmon routing and survival on Butte Creek and the lower Feather River and other monitoring locations in the Sacramento River watershed. Duties in this position include fish handling and identification, collecting biological and environmental data and taking biological samples, data entry and data management, maintaining survey equipment and field gear to ensure proper function, laboratory duties, operation of boats and vehicles, and towing trailers. Fish and Wildlife Scientific Aids may also assist on other salmonid monitoring and research projects in the Sacramento River Watershed as well as other fisheries projects within the geographic area of the North Central Region.
Under the supervision of the Senior Environmental Scientist Supervisor, the incumbent will be responsible for assisting in the monitoring of adult and juvenile spring-run Chinook salmon in Butte Creek and the lower Feather River.
Additional information about the position may be found in the Duty Statement.
This position is located in the North Central Region Chico Field Office with a team of passionate, hardworking, and dedicated staff. We seek individuals who share enthusiasm for fisheries conservation and management and hard work.
The Fish and Wildlife Scientific Aid classification is a non-testing classification.
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• 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.
Field work will be conducted throughout the lower Feather River, Butte Creek and the Sutter Bypass, and at other Department salmon monitoring sites in the Sacramento River Watershed. Field work may also be conducted at other fisheries monitoring locations in the geographic area of the North Central Region. Field surveys will require frequent work in and around swift water including swimming, snorkeling, wading, and operating both motorized and non-motorized boats (e.g., jet boats, propeller boats, kayaks, etc.). Cold water conditions will require the use of wetsuits. This position requires the incumbent to wear a uniform identifying the employee as CDFW staff. Field surveys will require hiking and exposure to inclement weather conditions for extended periods of time. Office space will be provided for data and other office and other non-field tasks. Occasional travel is required within the state of California via private or public transportation (i.e., automobile, airplane, etc.). Travel may include overnight stay. Must be able to deploy with short notice for extended periods (up to 7 days) that may include overnight stay. This position requires the possession of a valid Class C Driver’s License.
