Do you want to support California's natural resources in the work you perform every day? You can have an impact by working collaboratively to help fulfill the Department of Fish and Wildlife's mission. The Department of Fish and Wildlife's Northern Region is seeking a motivated individual to work as a Scientific Aid out of the Arcata office in Humboldt County.
Spawning Grounds Survey: Incumbent will be required to participate in various types of surveys, including but not limited to: walking surveys, snorkel surveys, raft-based surveys in monitoring live and dead fish in spawning habitat in rivers and streams. Focus on live and dead fish identification, and potentially working with and around State and federally listed species. Will be responsible for maintaining a high level of safety, due to working around flowing water, treacherous terrain, and inclement weather. Incumbent may be required to operate GPS units and perform map interpretation, and assist in collating, reviewing and tabulating complex sampling data daily. Incumbent will be required to work with Basin partners from federal, Tribal and non-governmental organizations.
Operation of Adult Fish Counting Facilities: Incumbent will be required to participate in operations at adult fish counting facilities including but not limited to: processing live and dead salmonids, inspecting video/SONAR camera and associated electronics for functionality, daily maintenance of physical structure. Focus on live and dead fish identification, and potentially working with and around State and federally listed species. Will be responsible for maintaining a high level of safety, due to working around flowing water, treacherous terrain, and inclement weather. Incumbent will be required to interact with the public in a positive and professional manor. Post processing and analysis of video/SONAR data may be required.
Recovery operations at Department Hatcheries: Incumbent will be required to participate in recovery operations at Hatcheries including but not limited to: processing live and dead salmonids, data recording in a fast pace environment, working in a damp environment in the proximity of flowing water and coded wire tag recovery, processing and analysis. Bio-sampling of live and dead salmonids will be routine. Focus on live and dead fish identification, and potentially working with and around State and federally listed species. Incumbent may assist in the facilitation of a real time genetically based sibling avoidance breeding matrix.
The Fish and Wildlife Scientific Aid classification is a non-testing classification.
• 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.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Working Conditions Incumbent must be capable of performing strenuous field work unsupervised in a remote location with biting insects and poison oak, and in adverse weather conditions, including high heat, extreme cold, pouring rain, and freezing fog, often in fast-paced solo or team environment. Must work long, irregular hours, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends. Must work in fast moving water; walk in streams with slippery, unsteady footing and snorkel in flowing water, navigating obstacles, and observing fish/habitat. Must be comfortable camping in a public area. Use of a state-owned vehicle for travel is required between remote facilities and field sites where public transportation is not readily available. Travel is required to access remote field sampling locations within the Klamath and Trinity River Basin. When operating State vehicles, incumbent will be required to drive vehicles to service facilities, or fuel vehicles. 4-wheel drive vehicles may be operated off-road in remote locations. Willingness to wear a prescribed uniform.
Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
- FISH AND WILDLIFE SCIENTIFIC AID
Additional Documents - Job Application Package Checklist
- Duty Statement
Position Details Job Code #:
JC-520231
Position #(s):
565-141-0835-905
Working Title:
Scientific Aid
Classification:
FISH AND WILDLIFE SCIENTIFIC AID $18.26 - $21.67
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
Multiple
Work Location:
Humboldt County
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
Non-Tenured, Intermittent
Department Information Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) employees are committed to managing and protecting California's diverse wildlife and the habitats upon which they depend.
California is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. As such, CDFW values diverse employees working together to protect nature for all Californians. CDFW is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment where all backgrounds, cultures and personal experiences can thrive and connect others to our critical mission.
Join us and begin a meaningful new career!
Department Website: https://www.wildlife.ca.gov
Special Requirements Physical strength and agility; ability to swim 50 yards and stay afloat at least five minutes. Ability to lift and carry 40 pounds over rugged terrain for extended periods.
Application Instructions Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 6/16/2026
Who May Apply
This is a non-testing Classification, therefore, anyone meeting the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification may apply for this position. Individuals in specific programs, such as the Welfare to Work Program, are encouraged to apply and will be given priority according to the applicable Laws and Rules. Please note on your application your current participation in these programs. Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Department of Fish and Wildlife
HRB Mailing Address (PO Box)
Attn: Human Resources Branch
P.O. Box 944209
Sacramento , CA 94244
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Department of Fish and Wildlife
Closed Drop Off Location
Human Resources Branch
Temporarily Closed
See Filing Instructions
Sacramento , CA 95814
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.
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:
• Work independently with a minimum of supervision.
• Establish and maintain professional and cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of the work, including local landowners, other agency and tribe representatives and the general public.
• Walk in streams with slippery, unsteady footing and snorkel in flowing water, navigating obstacles, and observing fish/habitat.
• Communicate effectively with the public and local interest groups about fishery management.
Benefits Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
Contact Information The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Department Website: https://www.wildlife.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Morgan Knechtle
(530) 598-1743
Morgan.Knechtle@wildlife.ca.gov
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
Civil Rights Office
(916) 902-9211
civilrights@wildlife.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.
Filing Instructions You must reference Position Number 565-141-0835-905 and RPA Number E-R1 F 25-038 - 049 in 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 https://jobs.ca.gov . 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.
Equal Opportunity Employer The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.
