Weekend Fish Processing Plant Jobs in California

Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission is recruiting candidates to fill five temporary Fisheries Technician 1 positions in partnership with the California Department of Water Resources, to work under the direction of Feather River Section staff based in Oroville, CA. Under the supervision of a Supervisory Fishery Biologist, DWR Senior Environmental Scientist and other Environmental Scientists, incumbents will assist with daily field activities and data collection for various surveys conducted by the Feather River Program. Duties include assisting with spawning operations at Feather River Hatchery, escapement survey, rotary screw trapping, weir servicing and maintenance, fish passage video download and review, redd survey, water quality monitoring, and supporting coded-wire tagging trailer operations at the Feather River Fish Hatchery. Successful candidates will work effectively as a part of a cohesive crew, identify various fish species and accurately collect biological and environmental data. The incumbents will demonstrate strong safety awareness and adhere to all established safety and data collection protocols. The candidates must be willing to work in inclement weather, as well as weekends, nights and overtime. Flexibility to assist with other Section projects as needed is also a must.
Anticipated Start Date: 09/09/2026
Housing is not provided and is the responsibility of the incumbent.
Duties and Responsibilities:

• Operate and maintain various motorized water craft and 4WD trucks;
• Make standardized observations including, but not limited to, species identification, sex, length, and reproductive condition;
• Maintain and clean field equipment and boats;
• Assist with daily QA/QC of data sheets and entered data;
• Adhere to and enforce all safety and data collection protocols;
• Assist with other project tasks as assigned.

Mandatory Qualifications:

• Must be able to lift 50 lbs.
• Ability to swim 50 yards and tread water for 10 minutes
• Ability to follow oral and written directions
• Knowledge of computer applications and software (Excel, Access, Word, Outlook)
• Must be able to read, write and speak English
• Ability to identify juvenile Chinook salmon and steelhead trout
• Must be comfortable working from, operating, and trailering motorized watercraft
• Must have a valid driver's license with a clean driving record
• Must work a flexible schedule, including the ability to work nights and weekends and overnight travel

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 habitat samples and collections (such as scales, otoliths, ageing 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.
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 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:
A portion of the work is performed in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating and ventilation. The majority is performed in fish processing labs, 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 rocks, 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.
Minimum Qualification Requirements:
A range of experience and education may be presented. At the lower end of the range, candidates must present six months of General Experience* OR one year of education above the high school level that included at least six semester hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses. An equivalent combination of experience and education is also qualifying.
At the upper end of the range, candidates must present one year of Specialized Experience** OR a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with a major or at least 24 semester hours of coursework in any combination of scientific or technical courses. An equivalent combination of experience and education is also qualifying.
*General Experience is (1) any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position or (2) experience that provides a familiarity with biological sciences or the processes of the biological sciences.
**Specialized Experience is experience that equips the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position being filled.