Fisheries Technician 1- Mendocino Monitoring Programs

About the role

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is seeking qualified candidates to fill five temporary Fisheries Technician 1 positions supporting salmon and steelhead monitoring efforts, in partnership with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and Redwood Timber Company. Positions are based in Fort Bragg, California, with fieldwork conducted throughout coastal Mendocino County. Positions will begin in either mid‑November or early December 2026 and continue through mid‑May or early June 2027.

Responsibilities

• Participate in survey crews that conduct regional fishery presence/absence research, recreational/commercial fishing surveys, anadromous fish escapement surveys (carcass, redd, trap/weir, snorkel, etc.), or tag detection and mark recovery surveys.
• Make standardized observations such as species identification, length, weight, behavior, growth, survival, reproductive condition, and/or signs of parasites, diseases or pathogens, fin clips or tags.
• Collect and organize biological and habitat samples and collections (such as scales, otoliths, ageing structures, other tissues, water quality, etc.).
• Make regular facility inspections, including tag interrogation equipment; record findings and adjustments made.
• Respond appropriately and immediately to emergencies.
• Summarize and input biological or habitat data on field forms, electronic data loggers, and/or desktop computers.
• May assist with preliminary data summaries and analyses, technical report writing, or database management.

Qualifications

• A range of experience and education may be presented. At the lower end, candidates must present 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 is also qualifying.
• At the upper end, candidates must present 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.

Schedule

• Work schedules will depend on weather conditions, river conditions, and salmonid run timing.
• Candidates should expect that weekend and holiday work will be required as needed and that schedules may change in response to field conditions.