Fisheries Technician 2- White Sturgeon Monitoring

Position/Project Specifics:

The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is seeking a self-motivated and high performing Fisheries Technician to assist with a pilot fishery-independent White Sturgeon population dynamics monitoring project working with a Fishery Biologist and another fisheries technician. This position includes assisting with the following three primary project components:

1. Mark-recapture analysis using fishery-independent setline surveys.
2. Guide Tagging Program to augment the number of sturgeon tagged in the marking component of the setline survey.
3. Sonar surveys in the spawning reaches of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers.
Mark-recapture data are needed to estimate abundance metrics (age-class abundance and relative abundance index) of White Sturgeon in the San Francisco Estuary. This information will be used to set an annual harvest quota for the recreational fishery.

Conducting sonar surveys in the upper reaches of the Sacramento and San Joaquin River also serves a multi-purposed objective. These surveys will provide the data needed for estimating the number of spawning White Sturgeon adults, which can be used as an additional abundance metric for setting harvest management controls in the recreational fishery. Additionally, information on the reproductive portion of the population can be paired with juvenile abundance indices from other data sources to establish spawner-recruitment relationships over time.

The primary responsibilities of the position will be to assist with the coordination and adherence to setline survey and tagging protocols by vessel operators, as well as assist with the management and maintenance of a setline survey database. The incumbent will assist with the production of weekly Setline Survey field reports, including data summaries of catch, total sturgeon tagged, total sturgeon recaptured, along with field notes of importance to project supervisors (for example, updates on gear repair/maintenance/purchase needs, difficulties in the field). In collaboration with the Lead Biologist, the incumbent will contribute to drafting a yearly report summarizing project activities.

Additional responsibilities will include assisting the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) staff in training participating Charter Captains and crew in accordance with Guide Tagging Program protocols on tagging, safe handling of White Sturgeon, and data recording procedures. Tasks will include, but are not limited to, developing and distributing training materials, assisting with training on data collection and tagging protocols, promoting compliance with data collection and upload protocols, ensuring proper permitting of all Subcontractors, and distributing tagging equipment and gear to participating Subcontractors.

This position will be expected to perform setline surveys and tagging duties on various vessels at specific locations in the San Francisco Estuary and these duties may occur during the weekends and holidays. Fieldwork will be weather dependent and under a 4/10 schedule (four 10-hour days per week). Duties are essential to ensure setline survey, sonar survey, and tagging protocols are consistently followed.

Target Pay Rate $23.45/ hour

Essential Functions: Included in this band are skilled technician positions. Some functions performed by employees can be identical to those performed by fishery biologists at the entry-level or advanced entry-level. The distinction in titling is intent. Positions in this group and pay band are not intended to lead to higher level, professional Fishery Biologist 2 positions.

(The functions listed below are characteristic of the type and level of work associated with this group and pay band. They are not all-inclusive. Individual positions may perform some or all, as well as other similar work.)

• Lead and participate in survey crews that conduct 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, fin clips or tags, and/or signs of parasites, diseases or pathogens.
• Gather research data and organize information from fish samples or experimental projects.
• Lead crew in watershed and stream assessments and habitat surveys. May include stream habitat inventories (channel typing, habitat typing, woody debris, etc.), road inventories, and riparian inventories.
• Develop and install components of naturalistic environments. Assist with analysis of the behavior of different species in simulated environments. Videotape, photograph, and record data for characteristics such as growth, health, fitness, social activity, reproductive success, foraging success, and anti-predator behavior.
• Update database by entering, checking, and/or editing biological or habitat data that has been inputted on field forms, electronic data loggers, and/or desktop computers. Maintain, organize and provide access to databases. Write memoranda and short reports for transfer of data. Produce summaries including corrections. Produce presentation quality tables and graphs of data.

Knowledge Required by the Position:

• Knowledge of fishery biology (including knowledge of particular species of fish).
• Knowledge of fish husbandry.
• Knowledge of aquatic habitats.
• Knowledge of the scientific method.
• Knowledge of sampling protocols.
• Knowledge of personal computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, e-mail, publishing software, presentation software, database software, topographic software, bibliographic software, and statistical analysis packages.
• Knowledge of technical writing protocols.
• Knowledge of basic math.

Employees have the knowledge to resolve common technical or procedural problems for themselves or their work crew. They are able to assess or interpret the significance of their results and relate that to the overall objective of the project. They have the knowledge to outline, organize and execute the details of projects where unusual or irregular procedural or technical problems arise.

Additional Mandatory Skills:
Compile and collect neat and accurate data
Valid driver's license
Oral communication
Scientific Writing skills

Additional Desired Qualifications:
Fish identification skills, specifically knowledge of species residing in the San Francisco Bay/Delta
Previous experience handling and taking morphometric measurements of fish
Experience collecting environmental data using water quality multiparameter sondes
Experience deploying, maintaining, and repairing fisheries sampling gear

Physical Demands:

Demands can range from moderate-including walking, climbing stairs and ladders, reaching, lifting, bending, and strenuous sweeping-to rigorous. In the latter case, the employee 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 or living at sea in vessels with minimal amenities 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, fish processing plants, 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, research vessels, or commercial fishing vessels may be required.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

A range of experience and education may be presented. At the lower end of the range, candidates must present one year of Specialized Experience** OR one semester of graduate education that is directly related to the work of the position. 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 year of graduate education that is directly related to the work of the position. An equivalent combination of experience and education is also qualifying.

**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. To be creditable, Specialized Experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.