Freshwater Science Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

JOB POSTING
HOW TO APPLY
For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our website.

• How to Apply
• Troubleshooting
• Tips for Applicants
• FAQ's

INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)
UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link .
The IRD for this job is: 08-04-2026
ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ
UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.
DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW
The Institute of Marine Sciences (IMS) is an organized research unit whose mission is to increase knowledge of the world's oceans and inhabitants to better understand their economic importance and the impact people have on them. Through this effort, IMS maintains the responsibility to encourage, develop, and support marine research and education by providing research opportunities, resources, facilities, and support for scientists within the institute and with other marine research institutions.
As part of its mission efforts, IMS launched the Fisheries Collaborative Program (FCP) to help foster research collaborations between NOAA scientists, UCSC faculty, IMS researchers, and students. The FCP's research activities include field and laboratory experiments, modeling, and computational studies involving marine and freshwater species and habitats where comprehensive studies are being conducted on the ecology and life history of Pacific salmonids and other fish. The FCP supports resource managers (e.g., Pacific Fisheries Management Council), fisheries, and resource science in general.
More information can be found at: https://fisheries.ucsc.edu
JOB SUMMARY
Under a cooperative agreement between the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the University of California, Santa Cruz, comprehensive studies are being conducted on the biology and ecology of Pacific coast salmon species. The primary purpose of these studies is to provide critical information to support the conservation and management of threatened and endangered species in California. The incumbent will be joining a research team consisting of UCSC staff, faculty, and students, and collaborative researchers from the NMFS Santa Cruz Laboratory. Fieldwork is primarily conducted in coastal streams and estuaries in Central California. Laboratory work is performed at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center in Santa Cruz, CA. Results from this program are intended to benefit fishery resource managers and improve conservation outcomes.
Under supervision, the incumbent will serve as part of a research team and assist with field and laboratory studies. Freshwater field surveys may include adult and juvenile fish trapping and handling, spawning ground surveys, backpack electrofishing, snorkel surveys, passive integrated transponder (PIT) tagging, habitat typing, environmental monitoring, and the collection of biological samples. Data management and some laboratory work are also required.
About 80% of the time will be in the field and 20% in the NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center Laboratory in Santa Cruz on the Coastal Science Campus. The employee may be expected to work from home when federal lab access is restricted during possible government shutdown.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
Budgeted Salary: $27.07 - 29.51/hour. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.
Number of Positions Available: 2
Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits
Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Monday to Friday, with the occasional evening or weekend
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment
Job End Date: None
Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Coastal Campus and Off Campus
Union Representation: TX Union
Job Code Classification: 009603 (LAB AST 2)
Travel: Up to 100% of the time
JOB DUTIES
70% - Field Work

• Makes preparations for and conducts standard stream field surveys using prescribed methods under close technical supervision. Preparations will include stocking and organizing sampling materials, loading/unloading vehicles, and driving to/from sampling locations in a government vehicle.
• Assists in all core activities performed at the salmonid Life Cycle Monitoring station on Scott Creek to include adult salmonid trapping, handling, and processing for the purpose of determining species status and trends.
• Assists with stream spawning ground surveys and juvenile distribution, abundance, and habitat use surveys via snorkeling, electrofishing, and PIT tagging; determines and documents stream habitat characteristics; detects and tracks PIT-tagged fish using instream fixed and mobile antenna units; collects scales, fin clips, otoliths, and other tissue samples for analysis.

20% - Data Management and Quality Control

• Review, enter, and validate riverine and biological data collected during field and laboratory studies. Prepare raw data for subsequent analysis by NMFS and other federal and state resource agencies.

10% - Laboratory Analyses

• Conduct standard laboratory analyses such as mounting fish scales, aging fish from scale samples, and processing collected freshwater invertebrate samples.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduation from high school or a General Education Diploma and three years of laboratory experience.
• Two years of college including courses in the natural, physical, or social sciences and two years of laboratory experience.
• Must possess CPR/First Aid/AED certification or have the ability to obtain it within 60 calendar days of hire.
• Knowledge such as attained in lower division coursework leading to a Bachelor's Degree in Fisheries, Aquatic Ecology, Wildlife, Zoology, or other closely related field.
• Knowledge of flora and fauna of freshwater, riverine, and estuarine ecosystems.
• Knowledge of contemporary fisheries monitoring techniques.
• Experience handling and sampling freshwater fish.
• At least 3 months of field research data collection experience.
• Experience with biological data collection and statistical analysis.
• Experience with word processing, database, and spreadsheet applications.
• Strong organization, time management, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to exercise flexibility, initiative, good judgment, and discretion.
• Ability to work independently and follow instructions from supervisors.
• Ability to work accurately with close attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively with a small group of co-workers.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree in Fisheries, Fishery Sciences, Stream Ecology, Aquatic Ecology, or other closely related field.
• Previous experience with standard fisheries sampling methods and techniques such as snorkel surveys, electrofishing, PIT tagging techniques, adult spawner surveys, habitat surveys, and water quality monitoring.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• In order to comply with security measures at the National Marine Fisheries Service (a federal facility on the UCSC campus), the candidate will be required to participate in a federal security clearance, be fingerprinted, and wear a photo identification badge.
• Must possess CPR/First Aid/AED certification or have the ability to obtain it within 60-calendar days of hire.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Must possess a valid license to drive in the state of California.
• Ability to work long periods of time in wilderness conditions and to travel to remote areas.
• Ability to perform work in a rugged physical environment and inclement weather with challenging infrastructure requirements.
• Ability to walk to and work in remote areas with rugged terrain, heavy brush, biting and stinging insects, bears and mountain lions.
• Poison Oak is present. Incumbent must be willing to take the measures required to work in contact with and cut/remove poison oak.
• Ability to safely perform the physical requirements necessary to move light to moderate objects up to 60 lbs., with or without accommodation.
• The selected candidate will be required to work primarily on campus, with periods of remote work possible based on operational needs. If a hybrid work schedule is confirmed, the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed.
• Ability to work overtime including evenings, nights, weekends and holidays to meet operational needs, and work an alternate work schedule shift as required.
• Ability to work safely in areas where hazardous materials are present or stored.
• Ability to wear proper safety attire (long pants, closed-toe shoes, etc.) and personal protective equipment common in a laboratory setting.
• Ability to read signs and follow directions on labels that are written in English as well as ability to read and understand Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and the proper use of chemical compounds.
• Ability to travel within a defined regional or service area.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here .

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT
As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
  • Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT
All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.
NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY
In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the Clery Act), the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFSR) is available at: https://chancellor.ucsc.edu/annual-security-reports/ .
This report is published by October 1st of each year and includes current institutional policies and procedures concerning campus safety and security; fire safety and evacuation policies; sexual misconduct and relationship violence reporting and response protocols; and crime and fire statistics for the three previous calendar years. A paper copy of the ASFSR is available upon request by contacting the UCSC Police Department at 114 Carriage House Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95064, or by calling 831-459-2231 Ext. 1.
EEO/AA
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origi