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Fisheries Technician 1 - Groundfish Catch Monitoring (CDFW San Carlos)
Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission
San Carlos, CA, USA
Posted on Apr 6, 2026
Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is recruiting candidates to fill the Fisheries Technician 1 position based in San Carlos, California with a projected start date of May 04, 2026. This is a permanent full-time position and is eligible for benefits.
Groundfish port samplers work in support of the California Port Sampling Program. The California Port Sampling Program collects fishery-dependent data from federally managed commercial groundfish fisheries in California.
The primary function of this position is to collect and process fisheries data from the commercial groundfish fishery in San Francisco Bay Area of California. The employee will go to fish receiving and processing facilities to collect biological and species composition samples from landings of Federally managed groundfish. The employee will follow the project sampling protocol and guidelines to collect and process sample data. The employee will also receive, edit, and enter data from Federal fishery trawl logs. The employee will process and submit data using project and PSMFC data entry programs.
The employee will work in both office and field settings. Fieldwork takes place outside wherever commercial fish deliveries occur (docks, ramps, parking lots, etc.), as well as inside fish processing plants. No work will occur on vessels. A portion of fieldwork may occur on wet, slippery surfaces around moving machinery (forklifts, hoists, conveyor belts, etc.). The proportion of office-to-field work varies seasonally with fishing activity but is generally half in the office and half in the field. During periods of high fishery activity, the sampler may spend up 75% of the workweek in the field. Conversely, during periods of low fishery activity, the employee may spend their entire work week in the office. The employee will use their personal vehicle to move between their official workstation (CDFW office) and sampling sites, less than five miles round trip.
The employee will work 40 hours per week, generally 8AM - 5PM Monday through Friday, but will have schedule flexibility to meet sampling requirements. Often, commercial fish deliveries occur outside of normal business hours and the port sampler must adjust their schedule to sample the catch. The employee will work independently but will also maintain regular contact with their supervisor, who will support and advise the employee in the performance of their duties. The employee will have no lead or supervisory duties.
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 fishery samples and collections (such as scales, otoliths, aging 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:
- valid driver's license
- fish species ID skills
- using fish keys
- compile and collect neat and accurate data
- oral communication skills
- written communication skills
Additional Desirable Skills:
- perform creel census
- able to swim
- lift 40-50 lbs.
- CPR/First Aid
- literature search/review
- fish aging (scale, otolith, other)
- operate handheld data recorder
- software skills (spreadsheet, word processing, database GIS, statistical)
- 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 fish or gear weighing up to 50 pounds. Long daily periods of lifting, bending, and/or standing may be required.
Work Environment:
A portion of the work is performed in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating, and ventilation. The majority is performed in fish processing plants, fish-holding areas, and/or in the field. Incumbents may work on narrow, elevated walkways and platforms that are over or adjacent to water. Field work involves exposure to all types of weather, slippery floors, and industrial machinery. Work in sunlight and inclement weather may be required.