SENIOR LABORATORY ASSISTANT

State of California; California (MO); On-site; USD 44,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife seeks a Senior Laboratory Assistant to lead hands-on biological sampling at Central Valley hatcheries and in the lab. You will guide Scientific Aids, collect tissue, scale, otoliths, and coded-wire-tag data essential to salmon conservation.

Responsibilities include data entry and quality control, mentoring seasonal staff, and managing field and lab operations. A valid California driver's license and willingness to travel statewide are required;

Qualifications

• Lead hands-on biological sampling at hatcheries and labs.
• Train and lead seasonal staff in field and lab tasks.
• Maintain data quality across multiple databases and software.
• Possess a valid California driver's license for state travel.

Responsibilities

• Guide tissue, scale, otolith, and coded-wire-tag data collection.
• Ensure chain-of-custody documentation and sample processing.
• Mentor and supervise seasonal staff in field and lab activities.
• Coordinate field trips to hatcheries and salvage facilities; travel statewide.
• Perform data entry and quality control across databases.

Skills

Field sampling

Laboratory work

Data entry

Mentoring

Driving license

Tools

Microsoft Access

Job description

Senior Laboratory Assistant
SENIOR LABORATORY ASSISTANT

$3,922.00 - $4,908.00 per Month

Final Filing Date: 9/20/2026

Job Description and Duties

Come join our team at the Central Valley Coded-Wire Tag (CWT) Laboratory and Central Valley Tissue Archive! If you’re driven by science, conservation, and the chance to make a real impact on California’s iconic salmon populations, this job puts you at the heart of it. In this role, you’ll lead hands‑on biological sampling at Central Valley hatcheries, guiding Scientific Aids as you collect tissue, scale, otoliths, and coded‑wire‑tag data essential to understanding, conserving and managing Chinook Salmon fisheries. Your days will take you from hatchery decks to the lab bench, ensuring samples are collected with precision, processed for long‑term research value, and shared with genetic and life‑history studies across the state. You’ll maintain chain‑of‑custody documentation, perform detailed scale analyses, and serve as a technical mentor in coded‑wire tag extraction and reading—helping ensure California’s fisheries science remains robust and accurate.

Back at the lab and office, you’ll keep operations running smoothly by managing data entry and quality control across multiple databases, maintaining supplies for both field and laboratory teams, and preparing sample kits for crews working throughout the Central Valley. You’ll also help train, and lead seasonal staff supporting the Central Valley CWT Lab, contributing to a collaborative and mission‑driven work environment. The role blends lab work with feild work at the hatcheries and salvage facilities, and requires comfort working long hours outdoors, extended microscope and computer time, and frequent travel in state vehicles to hatcheries and fish salvage facilities. A valid California driver’s license is required. If you’re ready to support meaningful fisheries research and enjoy work that’s as varied as it is important, this is your chance to dive in.

Link to Class Title Exam: Senior Laboratory Assistant / Exam Bulletin

Personal Leave Program: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary salary reductions ranging from 2% to 4.62% in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) hours. Please note that the salary ranges listed in this Job Control may not reflect these reductions associated with the 2025 Personal Leave Program.

Please follow the link for more information regarding the 2025 Personal Leave program: Personal Leave Program - Human Resources - CalHR .

This position may be eligible for a telework opportunity in accordance with departmental policies and operational needs. Beginning July 1, 2026, employees will be required to work in‑person at least four (4) days per week in alignment with Executive Order N-22-25. Additional in‑office days may be required based on operational needs.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .

Working Conditions

- Work long hours in the field (typically in a hatchery setting)

- Drive several hours to sample collection sites (typically on paved roads)

- Work outside in all weather conditions

- Work several hours in a lab setting (both standing and sitting)

- Work several hours looking through a microscope

- Work several hours on a computer

- Willingness to work irregular hours and flexible schedules

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• SENIOR LABORATORY ASSISTANT

SENIOR LABORATORY ASSISTANT $3,922.00 - $4,908.00 New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions:

3

Telework:

In Office

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!

- Possess good communication skills and be able to get along well with others while working in the field (e.g., hatcheries) or in laboratory settings

- Valid state drivers license is required to drive state vehicles (up to 5%) from office to field locations, including state operated hatcheries in the Central Valley, Fish Salvage Facilities in the south Delta and other locations as directed.

Desirable Qualifications

- Interest in fisheries or wildlife conservation and management

- Experience with training, leading and providing feedback to subordinate staff

- Good laboratory skills, time management skills, and organizational skills

- Experience with laboratory work and data/sample collection

- Aptitude for detail, personal initiative, and the ability to work independently

- Familiarity with Microsoft applications, especially Access (relational database)

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

Department Website: https://www.wildlife.ca.gov

Hiring Unit Contact:
Mike Brown
[phone]
[e-mail]

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
[phone]
[e-mail]

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 565-033-7878-905 and RPA Number P-FB 26-001, 002, 003 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.

Application Methods: Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account) By Mail Drop-off