Fisheries Technician 1- CWT Recovery Survey Lead

About the role

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) is seeking a Fisheries Technician 1 – CWT Recovery Survey Lead to support fisheries monitoring activities in collaboration with the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) Fisheries and Wildlife Office located in Lodi, California. This is a seasonal, benefits-eligible position with an anticipated start date of October 5th, 2026, lasting over 6 months but less than one year.

Responsibilities

• Perform and help coordinate coded-wire tag (CWT) recovery from Chinook salmon and associated biological sampling activities in the Mokelumne River and at the Mokelumne River Fish Hatchery.
• Participate in and help coordinate downstream juvenile salmonid monitoring, rotary screw trap efficiency trials, and rearing habitat use studies.
• Coordinate and assist with daily sampling activities, equipment preparation, and field logistics in collaboration with EBMUD staff and PSMFC personnel.
• Follow established fish-handling, biological sampling, safety, data-collection, and CDFW Scientific Collecting Permit requirements.
• Accurately identify fish species and collect, record, and manage biological and environmental field data associated with fisheries monitoring activities.
• Oversee and assist with the proper collection, labeling, storage, organization, and transport of biological samples, including CWT samples and Chinook salmon scales.
• Perform routine data entry, data management, quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC), and data validation activities to ensure fisheries monitoring data are complete, accurate, and consistent.
• Assist with the preparation, operation, cleaning, maintenance, and storage of fisheries sampling equipment.
• Operate field equipment in accordance with established procedures and safety requirements.
• Apply experience and technical knowledge to support consistent implementation of sampling procedures, fish identification, data recording, equipment use, and safe field practices.

Qualifications

A range of experience and education may be presented. At the lower end of the range, candidates must meet one of the following:

• 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.

At the upper end of the range, candidates must meet one of the following:

• 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.

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.