Fish And Wildlife Scientific Aid

Job Posting:

Fish and Wildlife Scientific Aid

Department of Fish and Wildlife

JC-530551 -

JC-530551 - Fish and Wildlife Scientific Aid

$18.26 - $21.67 per Hour. New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 9/14/2026

Do you have an interest in fisheries science? Want a hands on experience directly sampling iconic salmon and trout populations in some of the most pristine watersheds in the State? This might be your dream job! The California Department Fish and Wildlife's Northern Region~Coastal Fisheries unit based in Arcata has three openings for Fish and Wildlife Scientific Aids. You could assist a team of scientists working to evaluate salmon and trout abundance and distribution across coastal watersheds.

Sample adult salmon and steelhead at weirs, during spawning ground surveys, with high tech SONAR equipment, snorkeling, and during angler surveys. Use nets, traps and snorkeling to sample juvenile fish at different life stages. You would become an expert at species identification while learning the field methods and science of salmonid management. This position will require a significant commitment to field work, but opportunities also exist for those that want to explore fisheries science by working with the data.

You could learn approaches to visualize data, summarize information, and communicate project findings to others.

Personal Leave Program:
Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary salary reductions ranging from 2% to 4.62% in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) hours. Please note that the salary ranges listed in this Job Control may not reflect these reductions associated with the 2025 Personal Leave Program.

Please follow the link for more information regarding the 2025 Personal Leave program: .

• Applicants who receive public assistance under the CalWORKs program shall be given hiring priority consideration as provided in Government Code, Section 19063.
• Applicants who receive public assistance need to identify themselves as CalWORKs recipients in the comments section of the STD 678, Examination/Employment Application.
• Applicants must submit verification of CalWORKs eligibility, which may include the most recent Notice of Action showing Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) eligibility or a copy of the most recent aid check stub.
• Applicants may obtain verification from the CalWORKs program. If CalWORKs verification is not submitted with the application, it will not be processed as CalWORKs eligible.
• Participation by a public assistance recipient is voluntary and in no event shall any person be subject to sanctions, through loss of benefits or eligibility, for not applying for, accepting, or continuing in a seasonal or entry level non-testing classification opening.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Work is restricted to 40 hours per week and limited to a maximum of 1500 paid hours or 189 paid days in 12 consecutive months. 75% of work occurs outdoors in and around rivers and creeks. The remainder of the work occurs in office settings utilizing a computer or in a warehouse setting preparing and organizing equipment. Field work occurs in cold water streams and rivers during potentially inclement weather.

Field data collection can last 10 hours or more on a given day. Sampling gear preparation and maintenance will take place in a shop/warehouse environment. Office work will involve sitting and standing at a computer workstation for portions of each day. Ability to operate 4-wheel drive vehicles and use of a state-owned vehicle for travel is required between remote facilities and field sites where public transportation is not readily available.

Willingness to wear a prescribed uniform.

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• FISH AND WILDLIFE SCIENTIFIC AID

# of Positions: 3

Telework: In Office

Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) employees are committed to managing and protecting California's diverse wildlife and the habitats upon which they depend.

California is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. As such, CDFW values diverse employees working together to protect nature for all Californians. CDFW is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment where all backgrounds, cultures and personal experiences can thrive and…