Fish and Wildlife Technician I - Extra Help

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.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.