Fisheries Technician 1- CWT Recovery Surveys

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is recruiting for a Fisheries Technician 1 – CWT Recovery Survey position located in Lodi, California in collaboration with the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) Fisheries and Wildlife Office.

About the role

This seasonal, benefits-eligible position performs technical fisheries monitoring, biological sampling, and data management and validation activities while supporting compliance with California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Scientific Collecting Permit requirements. The role is expected to begin on October 5th, 2026 and last over 6 months, ending in less than a year from the start date.

Responsibilities

• Perform 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 downstream juvenile salmonid monitoring, rotary screw trap efficiency trials, and rearing habitat use studies.
• Assist with daily sampling activities, equipment preparation, and field logistics in coordination 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.
• Collect, label, store, organize, and transport 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.

Qualifications

A range of experience and education may be presented. At the lower end of the range, candidates must present 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.

At the upper end of the range, candidates must present 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 is also qualifying.

*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.

Benefits

This is a benefits-eligible position.

Schedule

Seasonal position expected to last over 6 months, beginning October 5th, 2026 and ending in less than a year from the start date.