Fish and Wildlife Technician II - Extra Help

County of Sonoma (CA); Santa Rosa (CA); On-site; USD 57,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage contribution

Job summary

Sonoma Water is hiring multiple temporary Fish and Wildlife Technicians II (Extra Help) to support field monitoring and habitat management across Sonoma County. Starting pay up to $50.36/hour with 10‑hour shifts four days a week, outdoor work in streams, rivers, and estuaries, and potential weekend work.

Technicians II take on more responsibility in data collection, monitoring, and supporting senior staff in program implementation. A California driver’s license is required.

Qualifications

• Experience with field-based biological monitoring or surveying.
• Knowledge of natural resource monitoring methods.
• Ability to work outdoors in varied weather conditions.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to operate watercraft recommended.

Responsibilities

• Monitor fisheries using methods such as trapping, electrofishing, snorkeling, spawner surveys, and video monitoring.
• Support estuary management through pinniped monitoring and habitat assessments.
• Conduct field surveys with tools like flow meters and drones; collect water quality data.
• Assist with restoration tasks and pre-construction nesting surveys.
• Collaborate with staff and the public to implement best management practices.

Skills

Fieldwork

Public relations

Team collaboration

Biology knowledge

Education

Biology or environmental studies coursework

Tools

Field survey tools

Flow meters

Drones

Job description

Join our Environmental Resources Division as a Fish and Wildlife Technician II - 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 level. If you are interested in being considered at the I level of this opportunity, you must apply to the separate concurrent recruitment being conducted for that level. Starting pay up to $50.36/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. As a Fish and Wildlife Technician II, you will have more responsibility for biological monitoring, field studies, and may lead data collection efforts, surveys, or studies that require staff with sufficient experience to meet conditions of scientific collections permits.

• 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 and special‑status plant and animal species
• Working with flood control field crews to implement best management practices for vegetation and sediment management along stream channels supporting flood control and fire reduction strategies
• Collecting data in the field using field computers and tablets
• Performing initial QA/QC of data collected in the field

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
• Time management and problem‑solving skills with flexibility to address changing priorities
• A collaborative and team‑oriented work‑style
• Possession of a California Boater Card (or equivalent), and/or experience using water transportation such as a kayak, canoe, or motorboat desired, not required
• 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 II.

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.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.

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 one year of 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.

Working knowledge of: principles and practices and methods of water and natural resources management; methods of biological monitoring and surveying; methods of field restoration and habitat enhancement; methods of water use efficiency program implementation, best management practices, and savings verification and monitoring; methods of water efficient landscape and irrigation design; 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.

Some knowledge of: 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; group dynamics as it relates to public organizations; basic statistics and their application in analysis.

Ability to: assist professional staff in the planning, development, organization and implementation a wide variety of water-related programs; 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 concise 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 selection procedure will consist of the following examination:

An Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (pass/not pass) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's combination of educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities that relate to this position to ensure satisfaction of the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates who possess the minimum qualifications for the position will be placed on an extra‑help employment list and referred to the department. The department may contact candidates from the employment list who possess the most appropriate job‑related qualifications for further consideration.

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to candidates.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

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.