Fish and Wildlife Scientific Aid

Job Description and Duties

An exciting position working in the San Francisco Estuary on some of the longest-running fish monitoring surveys in the State of California! This position is located in the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's (CDFW) Stockton, California office and is primarily responsible for collecting, sorting, and identifying larval fish and zooplankton samples generated during long-term ecological monitoring activities Smelt Larva Survey (SLS) and 20-Millimeter (20-mm) Survey. Sampling aboard research vessels occurs from San Pablo Bay upstream through the Delta. The CDFW is a leader in San Francisco Estuary science, and this position will play an integral role in data gathering. Individuals hired will learn the use of several fisheries sampling gear, aquatic ecosystem monitoring, fish and invertebrate identification, chemical care and handling, and microscope use. In addition to these skills, they will also have the opportunity to learn data management skills including data entry and database quality control. For more information on the tasks performed in this fish and wildlife aid position, please download and review the duty statement attached to this advertisement. We look forward to reviewing your application.

ADDITIONAL APPLICATION FILING INSTRUCTIONS

Please thoroughly and appropriately answer all requested information for each employment record entry in step 3) Experience of the online application. STD 678 Employment Applications will be screened for thorough completion of the Employment History section (beginning on page 4). Do not simply state to refer to your resume. If a field does not apply, enter "N/A" or other appropriate answer. Click "Print" at the bottom of the CalCareers application to preview your STD 678 application. Applicants whose applications do not follow these instructions may be eliminated from further consideration.

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

The language below is required for these NT classifications.

• Applicants who receive public assistance under the CalWORKs program shall be given hiring priority consideration as provided in Government Code, Section 19063.

• Applicants who receive public assistance need to identify themselves as CalWORKs recipients in the comments section of the STD 678, Examination/Employment Application.

• Applicants must submit verification of CalWORKs eligibility, which may include the most recent Notice of Action showing Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) eligibility or a copy of the most recent aid check stub.

• Applicants may obtain verification from the CalWORKs program. If CalWORKs verification is not submitted with the application, it will not be processed as CalWORKs eligible.

• Participation by a public assistance recipient is voluntary and in no event shall any person be subject to sanctions, through loss of benefits or eligibility, for not applying for, accepting, or continuing in a seasonal or entry level non-testing classification opening

This position is posted in the following counties: San Joaquin/Sacramento/Yolo counties . Please apply to each county in which you are interested in working.

This position may be eligible for a telework opportunity in accordance with departmental policies and operational needs. Beginning July 1, 2026, employees will be required to work in-person at least four (4) days per week in alignment with Executive Order N-22-25. Additional in-office days may be required based on operational needs.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Expected irregular work hours and varying workweek schedules to accommodate fieldwork. Fieldwork aboard a moving research vessel under varying environmental conditions including rough water conditions and inclement weather for up to 12 hours a day. Requires standing and walking on uneven, moving, and slippery surfaces and repetitively lifting sampling gear that weighs up to 40 pounds. Laboratory work involves sitting up to 8 hours a day sorting samples, looking through a dissecting microscope, or entering data into a computer, with the appropriate breaks and walking or standing for brief periods. Field and laboratory work requires handling formalin or ethanol in properly ventilated situations. Must possess a valid driver’s license, be able prepared to operate a state vehicle. Driving may be for long distances, often in heavy traffic and early in the morning and requires sitting for long periods of time.

Special Requirements

Must be able to safely board and maintain balance on a seagoing vessel. Physical strength and agility; ability to swim 50 yards and stay afloat at least five minutes; ability to function in rough seas without incapacitation due to seasickness; and ability to lift 40 pounds.

Must be able to sit, sometimes for long periods, at a microscope or computer.

Requires fluency in English to effectively communicate with team members and crews on safety procedures, operational instructions, and during potential emergencies to maintain a safe working environment.

This position requires possession of a valid Class C Driver's License. Must maintain a clean driving record. The selected candidate may be required to provide a photocopy (front and back) of the license: Name as stated on the license, issuing state, DL #, Class, expiration.

The selected candidate may be required to provide transcripts (may be unofficial).

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

- Experience in aquatic monitoring and sampling techniques

- Adult/Juvenile fish identification

- Larval fish identification

- Zooplankton identification

- Experience with laboratory work and/or handling a microscope

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Filing Instructions

You must reference Position Number 565-323-0835-905 and RPA Number E-R3 SO 25-029-034in the Examination(s) or Job Title(s) for Which You Are Applying section of the State Application Form (Std. Form 678). Applications that do not list the Position Number and RPA Number may not be considered.

It is recommended that Application Packages be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at . If applications are mailed, we recommend applications are sent certified mail as we are unable to verify receipt.

Applications that do not follow the Filing Instructions may not be considered.

This advertisement may be used to fill additional vacancies for this JC.

Resume – Resumes will be reviewed in addition to the STD 678 for employment history. Resumes must include the complete to and from dates (MM/DD/YYYY) and hours worked per week.

All job applicants must provide their employment history on the application form (State Application STD 678) rather than attaching a resume to the form, otherwise the application may be considered incomplete.

Applicants must submit a complete and accurate application package, free from spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications -

  A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ ) is required . Please see below for SOQ instructions. Failure to include the SOQ will result in an incomplete application submission.

  In order to be considered for this position, you must provide a Statement of Qualifications below with your State application. Applicable experience may include both paid or unpaid experience. Please keep your collective answers to no more than one (1) page, single-spaced, using 12-point Arial font. Applicants whose Statement of Qualifications does not follow these instructions or is unrelated to the prompt may be eliminated from further consideration.
  

  Please provide a statement detailing your interest in freshwater, estuarine or marine ecosystems. Review the Duty Statement, linked to this posting, and highlight or list any skills and relevant techniques that make you ideal and qualified for this position.