Fish and Wildlife Scientific Aid

California Department of Fish and Wildlife

About the role

The Central Region's Inland Fisheries, Invasive Mussel Program is looking to fill a Fish and Wildlife Scientific Aid position to assist with monitoring for the presence of invasive mussels, responding to reports of invasive mussels on infested conveyances, and conducting outreach.

Responsibilities

• Apply monitoring protocols and respond to invasive mussels.
• Assist Environmental Scientists in conducting monitoring for invasive mussels following established protocols for eDNA, veliger, and adult mussel monitoring.
• Assist with the collection of associated water quality samples and data at mussel monitoring locations.
• Record data and maintain sampling records and results.
• Enter survey data using a department computer and conduct quality assurance procedures for data collected.
• Perform routine maintenance of field equipment, including equipment repair, washing, decontamination, and gear preparation.
• Frequent travel and work in and around lentic and lotic waterbodies from the shoreline and on watercraft.

Working Conditions

• Work is conducted primarily outdoors around water.
• Requires frequent and extensive travel to reach field sites, including trips lasting multiple days.
• Field work may require early morning starts, hiking over uneven terrain, and riding in a watercraft.
• Office duties require use of a computer for several hours; sitting, standing, or walking; attendance at meetings and conference calls.
• A valid Driver's License is required.

Requirements

Refer to the Class Specification for minimum requirements.

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.

Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary salary reductions ranging from 2% to 4.62% in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) hours. More information regarding the 2025 Personal Leave Program.