FISH AND WILDLIFE SCIENTIFIC AID

Job Description and Duties

Do you want to support California’s natural resources in the work you perform every day? You can have an impact by working collaboratively to help fulfill the Department of Fish and Wildlife's mission.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife's Northern Region is seeking a motivated individual to work as a Scientific Aid out of the Arcata office in Humboldt County.

Spawning Grounds Survey : Incumbent will be required to participate in various types of surveys, including but not limited to : walking surveys, snorkel surveys, raft-based surveys in monitoring live and dead fish in spawning habitat in rivers and streams.

Focus on live and dead fish identification, and potentially working with and around State and federally listed species. Will be responsible for maintaining a high level of safety, due to working around flowing water, treacherous terrain, and inclement weather.

Incumbent may be required to operate GPS units and perform map interpretation, and assist in collating, reviewing and tabulating complex sampling data daily.

Incumbent will be required to work with Basin partners from federal, Tribal and non-governmental organizations.

Operation of Adult Fish Counting Facilities : Incumbent will be required to participate in operations at adult fish counting facilities including but not limited to : processing live and dead salmonids, inspecting video / SONAR camera and associated electronics for functionality, daily maintenance of physical structure.

Focus on live and dead fish identification, and potentially working with and around State and federally listed species. Will be responsible for maintaining a high level of safety, due to working around flowing water, treacherous terrain, and inclement weather.

Incumbent will be required to interact with the public in a positive and professional manor. Post processing and analysis of video / SONAR data may be required.

Recovery operations at Department Hatcheries : Incumbent will be required to participate in recovery operations at Hatcheries including but not limited to : processing live and dead salmonids, data recording in a fast pace environment, working in a damp environment in the proximity of flowing water and coded wire tag recovery, processing and analysis.

Bio-sampling of live and dead salmonids will be routine. Focus on live and dead fish identification, and potentially working with and around State and federally listed species.

Incumbent may assist in the facilitation of a real time genetically based sibling avoidance breeding matrix.

Please refer to the Duty Statement for specific duties and functions.

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

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Incumbent must be capable of performing strenuous field work unsupervised in a remote location with biting insects and poison oak, and in adverse weather conditions, including high heat, extreme cold, pouring rain, and freezing fog, often in fast-paced solo or team environment.

Must work long, irregular hours, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends. Must work in fast moving water; walk in streams with slippery, unsteady footing and snorkel in flowing water, navigating obstacles, and observing fish / habitat.

Travel is required; must be comfortable camping in a public area. Possess a valid Driver’s License. When operating State vehicles, incumbent will be required to drive vehicles to service facilities, complete vehicle logs, or fuel vehicles.

4-wheel drive vehicles may be operated off-road in remote locations. Willingness to wear a prescribed uniform.

Special Requirements

Special Physical Characteristics : Physical strength and agility; ability to swim 50 yards and stay afloat at least five minutes.

Ability to lift and carry 40 pounds over rugged terrain for extended periods. California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary Benefit Description Additional Information New Employee Benefits Orientation Page

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Retirement

Learn more about the defined benefit plan that is offered to state employees through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) based on years of service, age and final compensation.

CalPERS also offers disability retirement, partial service retirement, and death benefits for eligible employees.

401(k) and 457(b) Plans (Savings Plus)

Offers a voluntary benefit that allows you to contribute to both a 401(k) and a 457(b) plan to enhance your retirement benefit.

This allows you to contribute, through payroll deduction, up to twice the amount available to the private sector and most public sector employees.

You can contribute on both a pre-tax and an after-tax designated Roth basis that offers you the opportunity to take advantage of tax savings now and in the future.

California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary - Specific Benefits Specific Benefits Additional Information

Cash In Lieu of Health and / or Dental Benefits (Cash Option)

Allows you to receive cash in lieu of state-sponsored health and / or dental benefits insurance if you have other qualifying medical and / or dental coverage through a spouse, domestic partner, parent or other source.

Common Carrier Travel and Accident Insurance for Excluded Employees Only

Offers employer-paid accidental death and dismemberment insurance to managers, supervisors and other specified employees who travel on state business.

Commute Program

Voluntary benefits that subsidize commuting expenses for eligible employees who commute to and from work using public transportation, vanpools, or bicycles.

Consolidated Benefits (CoBen)

Provides a benefit allowance, rather than specific contribution amounts for health, dental and vision benefits. You may receive additional taxable income each month, depending on the total cost of the benefit plans you choose.

Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)

Continuation of health, dental, and vision insurance coverage as well as medical reimbursement account for employees and eligible dependents who involuntarily lose coverage.

Death Benefits

Benefits available to legal survivors and / or designees of state employees; see "Planning Ahead" handbook.

Planning Ahead Handbook Dental Benefits

Offers you and your dependents preventive, basic and major dental care coverage through one of several dental plans.

Employee Assistance Program

Employer-paid program offers free professional and confidential short-term counseling and referral services to employees and their eligible dependents, as well as valuable information on a variety of topics including financial, legal, and wellness.

866) EAP-4SOC

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Group Legal Services Insurance

Voluntary, employee-paid plan that provides comprehensive legal coverage designed to meet most common personal legal needs.

Available to eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Group Long-Term Disability Insurance For Excluded Employees Only

Voluntary, employee-paid plan that replaces a portion of the employee's income in the event the employee is unable to work for six months or longer due to a covered illness or injury.

Health Benefits

Offers you and your dependents a broad range of health insurance plans with the state paying a portion of the premium. CalPERS administers this coverage.

CalPERS Health and Wellness

Promotes a work environment that encourages healthy lifestyle choices, decreases the risk of illness and disease and enhances employee effectiveness and well-being.

Long-Term Care Program

Offers coverage through CalPERS for a chronic illness, frailty of old age, or a serious accident. Available to all California public employees, retirees, and their eligible family members.

Part-time, Seasonal, and Temporary Retirement Program

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Reimbursement Accounts

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You can increase your take home pay and decrease your taxable income.

Third-Party Pre-Tax Parking Reimbursement Account Program

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Vision Benefits

Employer-paid benefit that offers you and your dependents an annual eye examination and an allowance for frames and lenses.

An enhanced vision plan is also available which provides higher allowances for certain materials and other benefits.