monterey peninsula water management district

Associate Fisheries Biologist

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

definition

To develop and maintain complex and difficult programs and projects related to the restoration and conservation of the Carmel River steelhead trout fishery; to design and implement field investigations, habitat restoration, and other specific mitigation programs; and to perform a variety of technical tasks relative to assigned areas of responsibility.

distinguishing characteristics

This is the advanced journey level class in the professional Fisheries Biologist series. Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed and the complexity of duties assigned. Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series and function with minimal supervision and guidance. Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility.

supervision received and exercised

Receives direction from the Senior Fisheries Biologist.

Exercises functional and technical supervision over lower level fisheries staff.

ESSENTIAL AND MARGINAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS

The following duties are typical for positions in this classification. Any single position may not perform all of these duties and/or may perform similar related duties not listed here:

Essential Functions:

1.       Lead, plan, train and review the work of staff responsible for restoration and maintenance of the Carmel River steelhead fishery; review and evaluate fishery components of alternative water supply projects.

2.       Plan, direct, and participate in mitigation and conservation efforts and projects requiring advanced professional level research, design and analysis; conduct research studies and biological surveys on Carmel River aquatic, reptilian and anaodromous fauna.

3.       Perform a variety of administrative research studies and special assignments to evaluate the effectiveness of the District’s fisheries conservation and restoration efforts.

4.       Train assigned employees in their areas of work including data collection, organization and analysis methods, procedures and techniques.

5.       Supervise the use, care and operation of fisheries equipment including electro-fishing and related life support equipment for rescued steelhead, water quality test kits and a variety of nets and traps for capturing steelhead.

6.       Verify the work of assigned employees for accuracy, proper work methods, techniques, and compliance with applicable standards and specifications.

7.       Monitor in-stream conditions throughout the Carmel River system; evaluate fish production and planting activities; river flow releases, storage waters and fish habitat manipulation practices.

8.       Respond to public and State/Federal agency questions and concerns regarding the Carmel River Fishery and amphibians.

9.       Assist Senior Fisheries Biologist in determining when and how emergency fish rescue operations should be carried out.

10.   Assist Senior Fisheries Biologist in coordinating Fishery activities with California Department of Fish and Game, Carmel River Steelhead Association and California-American Water Company regarding in-stream conditions.

11.   Work with State/Federal agencies and District consultants; attend public meetings.

12.   Participate in the development of the annual program budget and track expenditures.

13.   Assist Senior Fisheries Biologist in preparation of scope of work, specifications and requests for proposals and recommend contract awards; administer consultant contracts.

14.   Provide tours of District projects to scientists from other agencies, the media and the general public.

15.   Perform a variety of technical writing and data reporting functions relative to assigned areas of responsibility.

16.   Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of fisheries habitat restoration and steelhead conservation.

17.   Ensure adherence to safe work practices and procedures.

18.   Estimate time, materials and equipment required for jobs assigned; requisition materials as required.

19.   Respond to public inquiries in a courteous manner; provide information within the area of assignment; resolve complaints in an efficient and timely manner.

20.   Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

Theories, principles and practices of biologic, hydrologic and climatologic sciences at an advanced working professional level.

Field biologic, hydrologic, and climatologic data collection techniques at a skilled professional level.

Data processing related to data entry, analysis and retrieval for physical/environmental science related research studies.

Principles of computer simulation models relating to stream flows, environmental conditions and biological populations.

Principles of lead supervision and training.

Modern and complex principles and practices of program development and administration.

Operations, services and activities of a steelhead conservation program.

Habitat requirements for adult and juvenile steelhead and red-legged frogs.

Water development impacts on steelhead populations.

Fish rescue methods, techniques and procedures.

Habitat modification and improvement methods and techniques.

Laws, rules and regulations pertaining to management, restoration and utilization of protected species.

Federal and State Endangered Species Acts.

Computer database management techniques.

Spawning gravel restoration techniques.

Mathematics and statistics.

Contract administration.

River processes, management and morphology.

Water quality requirements for steelhead and data collecting apparatus.

Modern data logging and collection technology.

The Federal Endangered Species Act.

Scientific research principles and report writing techniques.

Operational characteristics of fisheries equipment and tools.

Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.

Ability to:

Lead, organize and review the work of staff in the area of work assigned.

Independently perform the most difficult biological and environmental work and studies.

Establish record keeping systems.

Read, understand and interpret complex technical materials related to biological and environmental sciences.

Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public.

Interpret, explain and enforce department policies and procedures.

Operate a variety of fisheries equipment in a safe and effective manner.

Provide recommendations for management of steelhead populations.

Prepare plans, designs, cost estimates and specifications.

Conduct surveys for steelhead and other aquatic life.

Prepare grant proposals.

Compile and analyze technical and statistical information and data.

Work independently in the absence of supervision.

Understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations.

Prepare and administer program budgets.

Safely operate tools and equipment.

Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities.

Experience and Training Guidelines - Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience

Five years of increasingly responsible fisheries biology experience.

Training

Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in fisheries biology, ecology or a related field.

License or Certificate:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver’s license.

Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid scientific collector’s permit.

working conditions

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environmental Conditions:

Office and field environment; work in and around water; exposure to all types of weather and temperature conditions; exposure to poisonous plants, animals, and/or insects; work closely with others and work alone; irregular work hours; exposure to electricity, radiant energy, atmospheric conditions, slippery and uneven conditions, dust and potentially hazardous chemicals; working with machinery.

Physical Conditions:

Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for moderate to heavy lifting and carrying; standing and walking for prolonged periods of time; bending, climbing and reaching; operating motorized equipment and vehicles; sense of touch, finger dexterity and gripping with fingers and hands; repetitive motion.

Vision:

See in the normal visual range with or without correction; specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision, color perception and depth perception.

Hearing:

Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

 

 

 

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