Scientific Aid

Job Description and Duties

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Northern Region Coastal Fisheries Program has openings for Scientific Aids located in Fortuna, CA. In this position, you will be part of a team of scientists conducting field surveys to monitor federally and state listed populations of salmon and steelhead within the watersheds of the Northern California coast. This monitoring project provides information vital to the recovery of these listed species.

This position provides training and experience in fisheries monitoring techniques, wilderness safety and navigation, scientific data collection, and teamwork. Work duties vary seasonally. From October through April, scientific aids monitor adult salmonid populations through spawning ground surveys and operation of acoustic sonar cameras. From May through September, fieldwork includes monitoring juvenile salmonid populations by snorkel dive surveys, electrofishing, and netting, and the surveying of aquatic and riparian habitat. This includes acoustic sonar camera set up, deployment, operation, data transfer, and maintenance. Work assignments also include data entry and analysis, and preparation of field gear and equipment.

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:

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The Fish and Wildlife Scientific Aid classification is a non-testing classification.

• 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 .

Working Conditions

This position will require frequent day travel. The job is field based, and work is conducted in remote outdoor settings daily. Extensive time will be spent driving on dirt roads operating four-wheel drive and all-terrain vehicles, hiking in steep and rugged terrain, wading, swimming, kayaking, snorkeling in rivers and streams. Ability to hike long distances to remote field sites to conduct biological surveys under adverse weather conditions. Backpacking, remote camping, and overnight travel up to 4 days to some project locations may be required on occasion. Additional duties may include use of a personal computer for at least several hours a day in an office setting. Willingness to wear a prescribed uniform. Use of a state-owned vehicle for travel is required between remote facilities and field sites where public transportation is not readily available.

Special Requirements

Special Physical Characteristics: Physical strength and agility. Ability to swim 50 yards and stay afloat for at least five minutes. Ability to elevate and carry 40 pounds.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

Interest in a career in biology, and fish and wildlife. Interest in or knowledge of fishing and hunting, or studying fish, wildlife, invertebrates, or plants. Experience in camping, backpacking, snorkeling, kayaking, and maintaining or repairing equipment.

Skill to navigate remote and undeveloped landscapes, including water features. Experience operating four-wheel drive vehicles on unimproved roads and using inflatable kayaks in flowing water. Ability to make accurate field observations and record data using electronic devices with global positioning system (GPS). Experience using computer software necessary for data collection and entry.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Filing Instructions

You must reference Position Number 565-141-0835-905 and RPA Number E-R1 F 25-074 - 081in the Examination(s) or Job Title(s) for Which You Are Applying section of the State Application Form (Std. Form 678). Applications that do not list the Position Number and RPA Number may not be considered.

It is recommended that Application Packages be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at  .  If applications are mailed, we recommend applications are sent certified mail as we are unable to verify receipt.

Applications that do not follow the Filing Instructions may not be considered.

This advertisement may be used to fill additional vacancies for this JC.

Resume – Resumes will be reviewed in addition to the STD 678 for employment history. Resumes must include the complete to and from dates (MM/DD/YYYY) and hours worked per week.

All job applicants must provide their employment history on the application form (State Application STD 678) rather than attaching a resume to the form, otherwise the application may be considered incomplete.

Applicants must submit a complete and accurate application package, free from spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications -

  A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ ) is required . Please see below for SOQ instructions. Failure to include the SOQ will result in an incomplete application submission.

  The Statement of Qualifications must be no more than two pages in length in size 12 point Arial font.

  Please briefly describe your qualifications and number of months or years of experience and/or educational background in the following:

  - fisheries monitoring techniques

  - conducting biological or habitat surveys

  - working in remote field conditions

  - identification of fish, wildlife, and invertebrates

  - field and office data organization, management, and processing