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Fisheries Technician 1- Restoration Monitoring
Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission
Fortuna, CA, USA
Posted on Mar 7, 2026
Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is recruiting candidates to fill the role of Fisheries Technician 1 - Restoration Monitoring based in Fortuna, California. This is a full-time temporary position that is projected to last for 6 months or less.
The Fisheries Technician will work with the Monitoring and Evaluation of Salmonid Habitat Restoration (MESHR) program to monitor Fisheries Restoration Grant Program permitted salmonid habitat restoration projects. Under the direction of California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Senior Environmental Scientists and Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission (PSMFC) Fisheries Biologists the Fisheries Technician will conduct effectiveness (physical habitat), validation (biological response), and Before After Control Impact studies for approximately 6 months (approximately May 1 - October 31).
Project types monitored will include instream habitat improvement, watershed restoration (upslope), fish passage at stream crossings, riparian restoration, instream barrier modification for fish passage, and fish screening of diversions. Work involves overnight travel (up to three nights/ four days) to watersheds throughout Northern California (San Francisco Bay and north). Monitoring techniques will include before and after restoration measurement of physical habitat characteristics, qualitative observations of habitat and project conditions, and observations of juvenile and adult fish.
Job duties include establishing photo-point monuments; taking photos of restoration features; organizing data files; collecting and analyzing data; uploading data to databases; contributing to protocol and programmatic improvements; ensuring field safety; data quality control, map making using ArcGIS Pro; drafting case study reports; maintaining equipment; and driving 4x4 vehicles.
Applicants should have a passion for salmonid habitat restoration; working knowledge of aquatic ecology/environmental sciences; prior instream and/or upland field experience; willingness to learn and follow CDFW and PSMFC policies, protocols and procedures; good data management and field gear organization; good communication and interpersonal skills; and the ability to telework responsibly.
Essential Functions:
- Participate in survey crews that conduct regional 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.
- Collect and organize biological and habitat samples and collections (such as scales, otoliths, ageing structures, other tissues, water quality, etc.).
- Summarize and input biological or habitat data on field forms, electronic data loggers, and/or desktop computers. May assist with preliminary data summaries and analyses, technical report writing, or database management.
Knowledge Required by the Position:
At the lower end of the range, employees use knowledge of basic arithmetic, reading, writing, and data collection to perform routine or repetitive tasks.
At the upper end of the position range, employees use knowledge of the basic principles and protocols of fish biology to make readings, measurements, and observations; execute tests; collect samples, etc. If complex equipment systems are operated, the employee has the knowledge to perform calibrations or adjustments to achieve desired results.
Additional Mandatory Skills:
- snorkeling
- carcass and redd surveys
- able to swim
- lift 40 - 50 lbs.
- valid driver's license
- operate GPS
- fish species ID skills
- habitat monitoring
- operate handheld data recorder
- compile and collect neat and accurate data
- specific software skills (spreadsheet, word processing, database, GIS, statistical)
- oral communication skills
- written communication skills
- construction, fabrication and installation skills
- repair & maintain equipment
Physical Demands:
Demands can range from moderate --where there is walking, climbing stairs and ladders, reaching, lifting, bending, and strenuous sweeping-- to rigorous. In the latter case, the incumbent must be able to handle buckets of water or gear weighing up to 50 pounds. Long daily periods of hiking, carrying equipment, swimming, and/or standing may be required. Some work requires the ability to maintain footing in fast-moving water.
Work Environment:
A portion of the work is performed in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating and ventilation. The majority is performed in the field. Field work involves exposure to all types of weather, slippery rocks, trails, irregular terrain, insects, poison oak, rough or fast-moving water, or cold water temperatures.