| Job Description: |
PACIFIC STATES MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION POSITION DESCRIPTION
Title: Fishery Biologist 1- Fish Habitat Assistant
Benefit Eligible: Yes
Anticipated Start Date: 1/16/2012
Position/Project Specifics:
The Fish Habitat Assistant will be stationed at the California Conservation Corps (CCC) facilities in Camarillo, CA. The Assistant will report to the Senior Fishery Biologist for the California Department of Fish and Game. The Assistant will:
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Help to plan, direct, and coordinate activities relating to the development and administration of CCC fisheries habitat improvement projects
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Assist in develolping additional fisheries habitat restoration projects
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Provide technical training to CCC staff and Corps members
The watershed and fish habitat improvement techniques and methodologies employed will be as described in the California Salmonid Stream Habitat Restoration Manual.
The area of responsibility will be from Gaviota Creek in Santa Barbara County to the Interstate 10 Freeway in Los Angeles County.
Essential Functions:
- Lead and participate in survey crews that conduct fishery presence/absence research, anadromous fish escapement surveys (carcass, redd, trap/weir, snorkel, etc.), and/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.
- 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 Desirable Skills:
- operate trap/weir
- operate nets (seine, gill, etc.)
- carcass and redd surveys
- lift 40-50 lbs.
- valid driver's license
- hiking
- CPR/First Aid
- habitat typing
- habitat monitoring
- restoration proj. monitoring
- research land ownership
- operate GPS
- literature search/review
- fish ageing (scale, otolith, other)
- fish species ID skills
- using fish keys
- compile and collect neat and accurate data
- handheld data recorder
- specific software skills (spreadsheet, word processing, database, GIS, statistical)
- oral communication skills
- written communication skills
- repair & maintain equipment
Supervisory Controls:
A supervisor guides the incumbent and assigns work on a regular basis (daily, weekly, or monthly) in terms of project objectives, individual objectives, and priorities.
At the lower end of the range, the employee uses basic professional knowledge in a variety of recurring, learning assignments. He/she is able to assess or interpret the significance of work results and relate that to the overall objective of the project. The supervisor or leader is available for consultation.
At the upper end of the range, the employee outlines, organizes and executes the details of the assignments. Regular status reports are made to keep the supervisor up to date on progress. A supervisor or leader is available when assignments involve modification of standard procedures or controversial approaches.
In all cases, reviews are utilized to ensure that the employee's work is adequate, technically sound, and accomplishing objectives.
Guidelines:
Guides may be regulations; maps and charts; sampling and survey methodologies; standing operating procedures for data entry, management and analysis; purchasing and accounting procedures; health and safety manuals; facility operation and emergency protocols; oral instructions; equipment or instrument manuals; hardware/software manual; and/or fish identification keys.
The guides often require careful study or cross-referencing to locate the applicable rule or answer and can involve some interpretation or judgment to determine and adapt procedures to carry out work efforts, analyze results, and recommend changes. If the work is outside the guidelines or is not easily adapted from the existing guidelines, additional assistance is available from a supervisor or leader.
Complexity:
The employee is expected to select and execute the proper approach to completing the work. The assigned duties often have steps or processes which vary, depending on factors such as the reason the work is being performed or the conditions under which it is being performed. The employee is expected to exercise independence in recognizing such differences, in choosing the right course of action, and in selecting and executing the proper approach to completing the work.
Scope and Effect:
Work products directly affect the design and execution of experiments, the operation of systems and facilities, or the adequacy of long term investigations, tests, or research conclusions.
Personal Contacts:
Contacts are with employees of PSMFC; federal, state, or local fishery agencies; visiting scientists; the general public; sport fishery anglers; industry personnel; and contractors.
Purpose of Contacts:
The purpose of contacts is to exchange information and insure that project goals are being met through coordination and planning. Communication between contacts affords resolution of problematic issues and serves as an information network. Sometimes contacts may be skeptical or uncooperative.
Physical Demands:
Demands can range from sedentary, to moderate --where there is walking, climbing stairs and ladders, reaching, lifting, and bending, to rigorous. In the latter case, the employee 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. Camping out for extended periods may be required. Some work requires the ability to maintain footing in fast-moving water.
Work Environment:
Some work is performed in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating and ventilation. Some work may be performed in fish processing labs, fish holding areas, and/or in the field. Employees 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 rocks or docks, trails, irregular terrain, insects, poison oak, rough or fast-moving water, or cold water temperatures. Work at high elevations or aboard boats may be required.
PSMFC is an EEO/AAP employer. We maintain a drug free workplace.
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