Fisheries Technician – American River Rotary Screw Traps

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is recruiting candidates to fill three Fisheries Technician 1 positions working on the Lower American River and Sacramento River Rotary Screw Trap Projects, based out of Sacramento, California. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible, seasonal position with a projected start date of October 19, 2026, through June 2027.

Fisheries Technicians will assist with daily field activities and data collection using rotary screw traps to monitor the emigration of juvenile Chinook salmon and steelhead. Successful candidates will work as part of a cohesive crew, identify various fish species, assess life stages, collect environmental data, follow safety and data collection protocols, and work in inclement weather, including weekends and overtime.

• Operate and maintain 16-foot motorized watercraft and four-wheel-drive trucks.
• Operate and maintain tandem 8-foot rotary screw traps.
• Identify, handle, anesthetize, and collect biological data from juvenile fish.
• Handle endangered or threatened species according to permits and protocols.
• Assist with daily quality assurance and quality control of collected data.
• Assist with other project tasks as assigned.

• Ability to lift 50 pounds.
• Ability to swim 50 yards and tread water for 10 minutes.
• Ability to follow oral and written directions.
• Knowledge of computer applications and software, including Access, Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Ability to read, write, and speak English.
• Ability to identify juvenile Chinook salmon and steelhead.
• Comfort working from, operating, and trailering motorized watercraft.
• Valid driver's license and clean driving record.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, nights, and overtime.

• Knowledge of salmonid biology and life history.
• Experience with juvenile fish trapping and handling.
• Knowledge of mark-recapture methods and theory.
• Ability to operate and trailer a motorized watercraft.
• Current CPR/first aid certification.

• Participate in survey crews conducting regional fishery presence/absence research, recreational and commercial fishing surveys, anadromous fish escapement surveys, or tag detection and mark recovery surveys.
• Make standardized observations such as species identification, length, weight, behavior, growth, survival, reproductive condition, signs of parasites, diseases or pathogens, fin clips, and tags.
• Collect and organize biological and habitat samples, including fin clips, scales, and water quality samples.
• Summarize and enter biological or habitat data on field forms, electronic data loggers, and desktop computers.
• Assist with preliminary data summaries, analyses, or database management.

At the lower end of the range, candidates must have six months of general experience, one year of education above high school including at least six semester hours in scientific or technical courses, or an equivalent combination of experience and education. At the upper end, candidates must have one year of specialized experience, or a four-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor’s degree with a major or at least 24 semester hours in scientific or technical courses.

General experience includes work demonstrating the ability to perform the position or familiarity with biological sciences. Specialized experience equips the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position.

Work may range from moderate to rigorous and can include walking, climbing stairs and ladders, reaching, lifting, bending, hiking, swimming, standing, and carrying buckets of water or gear weighing up to 50 pounds.…