The Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA) (B13) habitat restoration project consists of a multi agency effort to enhance juvenile salmonid rearing habitat and adult spawning habitat in the upper Sacramento river basin. The project seeks to engineer, maintain, and monitor off-channel habitat enhancement sites as well as some in-river sites. Three strategies for restoration have been implemented to increase juvenile and adult habitat to date. Adult spawning restoration sites primarily consist of gravel placement to promote spawning by Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and Steelhead/Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Juvenile rearing restoration sites are primarily side channel construction or rehabilitation, designed to provide increased juvenile rearing habitat during fluctuating flow releases from Keswick Dam.

 

The candidate will collect juvenile fish habitat use and abundance data using snorkel, and habitat attributes, flow, and GIS mapping using a Mesa tablet. Data tasks will consist of recording field data, QA/QC of the data, and performing basic statistical analyses of data is likely. Experience and/or proficiency with scientific data management tools such as the GIS framework, MS suite of programs, or Pathfinder software is desirable but not required. Daily activities include driving and towing small jet-powered watercraft. Spending 6-8 hours in the field is normal, hiking and wading in small streams is a daily activity. Snorkeling and wading in swift, cold water during adverse weather conditions is a routine activity for this position. This is primarily a field-based position and the successful candidate may be subjected to hot summer conditions over 100 degress, and cold winter conditions near freezing. Upkeep of field equipment and occasional construction/removal of fisheries monitoring devices is anticipated. Candidates will also assist with other ongoing adult fisheries monitoring activities such as video monitoring, carcass counts, biological sampling, tagging, and redd monitoring.

 

The schedule will be 10 hours a day, four days a week. Weekend work is not anticipated but weather events occasionally dictate a change of schedule in response to environmental conditions. Approximately 80/20 field/office work ratio is a general estimate. Driving trucks and towing boats is a requirement.

 

Essential Functions:

• 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, aging structures, other tissues, water quality, etc.).
• 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.

Knowledge Required by the Position:

At the lower end of the range, employees use knowledge of basic arithmetic, reading, writing, and data collection to perform routine or repetitive tasks.

At the upper end of the position range, employees use knowledge of the basic principles and protocols of fish biology to make readings, measurements, and observations; execute tests; collect samples, etc.   If complex equipment systems are operated, the employee has the knowledge to perform calibrations or adjustments to achieve desired results.

Additional Mandatory Skills:

• snorkeling
• carcass and redd surveys
• electronic detection technol.
• able to swim
• lift 40 - 50 lbs.
• load boats on trailers
• tow & maneuver trailers
• valid driver's license
• operate motorized boats
• operate GPS
• fish species ID skills
• operate handheld data recorder
• compile and collect neat and accurate data
• specific software skills (spreadsheet, word processing, database, GIS, statistical)
• oral communication skills
• written communication skills
• construction, fabrication, and installation skills
• repair & maintain equipment

Physical Demands:

Demands can range from moderate --where there is walking, climbing stairs and ladders, reaching, lifting, bending, and strenuous sweeping-- to rigorous. In the latter case, the incumbent must be able to handle buckets of water or gear weighing up to 50 pounds. Long daily periods of hiking, carrying equipment, swimming, and/or standing may be required. Camping out for extended periods may be required. Some work requires the ability to maintain footing in fast-moving water.

Work Environment:

A portion of the work is performed in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating, and ventilation. The majority is performed in fish processing labs, fish holding areas, and/or in the field. Incumbents may work on narrow, elevated walkways and platforms that are over or adjacent to water. Field work involves exposure to all types of weather, slippery rocks, trails, irregular terrain, insects, poison oak, rough or fast-moving water, or cold water temperatures. Work at high elevations or aboard boats may be required.

A range of experiences and education may be presented.  At the lower end of the range, 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 of the range, 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 the 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.