Fish and Wildlife Technician I - Extra Help

County of Sonoma (CA); Santa Rosa (CA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Sonoma Water is seeking a Fish and Wildlife Technician I for temporary, extra-help work across Sonoma County. The role focuses on field activities supporting fish and wildlife monitoring, habitat assessments, and restoration under senior staff guidance.

Typical duties include collecting data in streams and estuaries, operating monitoring equipment, and assisting with surveys for protected species. The position requires outdoor work, valid driver’s license, and ability to work 10-hour shifts.

Qualifications

• Education/experience in biology or environmental studies.
• Familiarity with natural resource monitoring methods.
• Experience with field data collection and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Monitor fisheries using methods such as trapping, electrofishing, snorkeling, spawner surveys, and video monitoring.
• Assist with pinniped monitoring and estuary management.
• Conduct habitat, geomorphic, and hydrologic monitoring using field tools and drones.
• Perform water quality and algae monitoring; assist with restoration tasks.
• Carry out pre-construction surveys for nesting birds and aquatic species.
• Assist with botanical and wetland surveys and habitat characterizations.
• Support field crews in applying BMPs and regulatory permit conditions.

Skills

Fieldwork

Biology

Data collection

Public engagement

Education

Biology coursework

Tools

GPS

Drones

Electrofishing gear

Job description

Join our Environmental Resources Division as a Fish and Wildlife Technician I - Extra Help!

The Sonoma County Water Agency (Sonoma Water) is hiring multiple temporary, extra-help Fish and Wildlife Technicians at either the I or the II levels. If you are interested in being considered at the II level of this opportunity, you must apply to the separate concurrent recruitment being conducted for that level.Starting salary up to $41.65/hour. The position’s typical shifts are 10 hour days, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, for a total of 40 hours per week. Occasional weekend or Friday work may be required. Most work is performed outdoors at sites located throughout Sonoma County

Fish and Wildlife Technicians in the Environmental Resources Division primarily focus on fish and wildlife biology in streams, rivers, and estuaries. These positions support and assist senior staff in the development, implementation, and management of fish and wildlife populations and habitat monitoring programs. Typical responsibilities include:

• Monitoring fisheries using methods such as downstream migrant trapping, electrofishing, snorkeling, spawner surveys, and video monitoring
• Pinniped monitoring to assist estuary management
• Conducting physical habitat, geomorphic, and hydrologic monitoring using field survey tools, flow meters, and drones
• Water quality and algae monitoring
• Performing restoration tasks such as planting and site maintenance
• Conducting pre-construction surveys for nesting birds, aquatic species, and special-status plant and animal species
• Assisting with botanical, wetland, and vegetative habitat surveys and characterizations
• Working with field crews to implement best management practices and regulatory permit conditions for vegetation and sediment management along stream channels supporting flood control and fire reduction strategies

Ideal candidates for these positions will be able to collaborate effectively and build strong working relationships with peers, supervisors, and the public. They will be comfortable conducting fieldwork in and around water in various seasonal weather conditions and will demonstrate many of the following:

• Education and/or training related to biological and/or ecological projects, including working with biological organisms
• Working knowledge of natural resource monitoring methods
• Knowledge of equipment commonly used to monitor fish and wildlife biology, physical and biological restoration success, estuarine ecology, river systems, and water quality
• Experience driving a full-sized pickup truck

About Sonoma Water

Sonoma Water is a special district formed by the California State Legislature in 1949 and is responsible for providing a safe and reliable water supply to its customers in Sonoma and Marin counties. Sonoma Water also maintains 75 miles of flood control channels and provides sanitation services. Employing approximately 250 employees, Sonoma Water consists of four divisions including Engineering & Resource Planning, Environmental Resources, Business Services & External Affairs, and Water/Wastewater Operations & Maintenance. Sonoma Water supports the concept of environmental sustainability, focusing on renewable power sources, and strives to be a leader in its water use efficiency and fishery restoration programs.

Please note: Employees of Sonoma Water are employees of a special district and are not subject to the provisions of the Civil Service Ordinance of the County of Sonoma.

The formal title for this position is Water Agency Resources Programs Technician I.

Extra-Help Employment

Extra-help employees relieve or augment permanent staff. Temporary, extra-help employees are not in the classified civil service and do not have property rights to permanently allocated positions. In addition, they do not receive most employee benefits such as long-term disability insurance coverage; accrual of vacation; participation in the County retirement program; or eligibility to take promotional examinations. Temporary, extra-help employees are limited in their employment to a maximum of one calendar year. These employees must be off of work for three months before they can be re-employed on an extra help basis. Extra-help employees who meet the eligibility requirements may qualify for a County contribution toward medical coverage.

This recruitment is being conducted to fill multiple temporary, extra-help positions at Sonoma Water. This employment list may also be used to fill future extra-help positions as they occur during the active status of this list.

Experience and Education

Any combination of education, training, and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, this would include some course work in planning, engineering, water related science, environmental studies, environmental law, natural resource or watershed management, education, political science, communications, public relations, or a closely related field; and some experience working with water-related programs in one or more of the following areas: community relations, public outreach, media, water transmission systems, water treatment systems, water reclamation and recycling, wastewater sanitation, water use efficiency, biological monitoring or surveying, teaching methods consistent with state-wide educational standards, and/or legislative processes at the federal and state level.

License

Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.

The position advertised on this announcement does require possession of a valid California Driver’s License.

Some knowledge of

principles, practices, and methods of water and natural resources management; methods of water use efficiency program implementation, and savings verification and monitoring; environmental principles and operation of water supply facilities and distribution systems; methods of water treatment and recycling, landscape and restoration design and installation practices; California Water Codes and related laws; basic statistics and their application in analysis; group dynamics as it relates to public organizations; communication theory and environmental education concepts; principles of graphic design and production; establishing and maintaining effective public relations; fundamentals of public speaking; techniques and methods of research; English grammar, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation and composition; and office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

Ability to

collect and analyze data; speak effectively and persuasively before diverse groups; establish effective working relationships with persons possessing a wide variety of divergent views; write and edit written materials; compile reports, letters, newsletters and other outreach materials; help coordinate educational and informational seminars and workshops; prepare and disseminate information to media and others; operate office equipment including computers, copiers, and fax machines.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

HR Analyst: JT

HR Technician: VH