Fishery Biologist 1- Mendocino Salmonid Monitoring Field Crew Leader

Position/Project Specifics: 

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC), in partnership with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, is seeking one highly motivated individual to assist with a long-term regional monitoring program focused on assessing coastal salmonid abundance trends in Mendocino County, California. This full-time seasonal position will begin on September 16th, 2025, and run through the end of May 2026, with a typical work schedule of four 10-hour days per week, though occasional weekend and holiday work will be required.

 

The successful candidate will take a leadership role in planning, scheduling, and conducting spawning ground surveys, while training and mentoring fisheries technicians to consistently uphold strict field and safety protocols, fostering a safe and efficient team environment. This role includes managing rotary screw traps, fyke nets, adult migrant weirs, traps, and counting structures. Additionally, the position involves PIT tagging juvenile salmonids, collecting data on redds and salmonid individuals, taking biological samples from live and deceased salmonids, maintaining PIT tag arrays, and ensuring the accuracy and quality of all collected data through thorough quality assurance and quality control checks.

 

We are looking for a reliable, motivated, and organized individual who is passionate about fisheries conservation and possesses strong leadership skills. The ideal candidate must be able to identify and handle salmonids at all life stages and be physically capable of hiking or kayaking up to 10 miles per day in remote areas over rough terrain and in adverse weather conditions. The ability to lift up to 50 pounds, perform strenuous fieldwork, navigate using topographic maps and GPS units, and operate four-wheel-drive vehicles and ATVs is essential. Because this project involves collaboration among multiple agencies, technicians, and biologists, excellent interpersonal skills and a positive, team-oriented attitude are critical.

 

This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute directly to the conservation of California's coastal salmonid populations while working outdoors in the stunning environment of Mendocino County. If you are passionate about fisheries science and ready to take on a leadership role in the field, we encourage you to apply.

 

Essential Functions: 

• 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, and/or signs of parasites, diseases or pathogens, fin clips or tags.
• Lead and perform data entry for data from recovered tags, representative biological samples, telemetry devices, oceanographic data, fish tickets, commercial landing estimates, logbooks, scale cards, port sampling, onboard observers, etc. Error check the data, maintain and update database, analyze and organize data in the appropriate format (table, spreadsheet, memorandum, or report) necessary for transfer to individuals, agencies, and organizations. Modify software programs and perform data queries. Prepare summary reports to transfer data.
• Assist researchers in investigations of long-term and short-term fisheries resource management problems. Collect biological samples, record data, perform routine analyses of data, and contribute draft sections to scientific papers for publication.

Knowledge Required by the Position:

• Knowledge of fishery biology (including knowledge of particular species of fish).
• Knowledge of aquatic habitats.
• Knowledge of the scientific method.
• 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 statistics and mathematics.
• Knowledge of database management.

Additional Mandatory Skills:

• snorkeling                    
• operate non-motorized boat (Kayak)                       
• electrofishing-backpack
• operate trap/weir                    
• carcass and